Recently
it was revealed that Division I football players attending the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill were "registered" for fake courses and
given passing grades for these fake classes. There is a long history of
academic exceptions made for collegiate athletes. There is more attention than
ever before on college football and basketball programs than ever before. With
the increased attention comes increased pressure to preform academically and
athletically. Competing as a Division I football player can easily consume 30
hours a week of practice, meetings, games, events, etc, essentially a part time job for a student,
who must be enrolled with at least twelve credits to compete athletically for
any given school. However, there should be not be a double standard for
academic performance for any enrolled student at any academic institution in
the United States.
For example one researcher found:
"As a graduate student
at UNC-Greensboro, Ms. Willingham researched the reading levels of 183
UNC-Chapel Hill athletes who played football or basketball from 2004 to 2012.
She found that 60% read between fourth- and eighth-grade levels. Between 8% and
10% read below a third-grade level."
It
is incomprehensible to think that college students may fail to pass elementary
academic proficiencies. No other ordinary college student would be allowed to
pass a literature course or humanities course if they were not capable of
writing/reading above a third grade level. By allowing athletes to be held at
no or very minimal academic standards, universities are failing these athletes.
Student athletes, who cannot complete their minimum academic standards without
inflated grades or made-up courses, should not be allowed to compete on the
field.
Schools need to raise their standards
for student athletes or at a minimum enforce the existing standards for
students. In addition, the media should adjust the attention they devout to
college football. Thereby lowering the pressure placed on student athletes. Coaches and school administrators should work
to ensure athletes are capable of the academic requirements, and work to assist
them with additional tutoring or special attention if needed. But it is not
ethical to lower the academic standard for student athletes.
It is unethical to other students
attending these academic institutions that athletes’ grades are held at lighter
standards, while these athletes may be receiving significant monetary
awards/scholarships from the school. As well it is unfair for the athletes to
be cheated of an education because of the incredible amount of pressure placed
upon them. Therefore the student athlete overseeing board, NCAA, needs to
investigate and if necessary, enforce the proper academic standards for student
athletes.
Sources:
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