Concerns by many college students and teachers have brought attention to the issue of athletes getting prioritized and favored more over non-athletic students.
Shaquille Gilbert, 21, a kinesiology major and shooting guard for the De Anza Basketball team agreed on the favoritism towards student athletes.
“The kind of privileges we have are easier grading on all tests, homework, in-class assignments and even being able to come into class late,” said Gilbert.
DeVante Ellis, 22, a business major, agreed with Gilbert. “If a basketball player had a game that night, teachers actually do allow the student to turn assignments late without penalty,” said Ellis.
Student athletes do not just get favored by teachers, but also have first priority in picking classes, special aiding hours and free tutoring. Although athletes have access to tutoring, questions and concerns have raised in several universities that high schools and community colleges should not favor athletes in their classrooms.
An article called “Jock Privilege” stated, “teachers jobs are to challenge them education wise, not accommodate their lives outside of the classroom.”
According to The New York Times article “Education; Bending the Rules for Student Athletes proposed an issue between athleticism versus education. “To suggest that a university bend the rules and keep an athlete enrolled merely because it will make a better postman of him is irresponsible, no university ought to ever contemplate the admission of a student who cannot read nor write,” said Clifford Sjoergn, Director of Admissions at the University of Michigan.
La’Ron Bennett, 23, an exercise science major, explained that as easy as it is getting special treatment from teachers, it affects the athletes later in the long run.
“College prepares us for the real world. As much as I’m pretty sure every athlete would love to do nothing else but to play ball with no school, they should have to be passing to play because every athlete can’t be in the NFL, therefore they will need school and their education to fall back on,” said Bennett.
According to CNN, although athletes have become priorities to colleges by giving athletes an easier path towards their education and grading, teachers are only hurting the education and intellectuality of the players and their future outside from being an athlete.
Mary Willingham, a Learning Specialist was interviewed by CNN where she studied athletes and their education level.
A big concern was brought up to the NCAA as to how student athletes are being offered free tutoring and mandatory study hall, even with the privilege of teachers who are being more lenient towards the athletes grades but still not able to meet the educational requirements.
According to The New York Times article “Education; Bending the Rules for Student Athletes proposed an issue between athleticism versus education. “To suggest that a university bend the rules and keep an athlete enrolled merely because it will make a better postman of him is irresponsible, no university ought to ever contemplate the admission of a student who cannot read nor write,” said Clifford Sjoergn, Director of Admissions at the University of Michigan.
La’Ron Bennett, 23, an exercise science major, explained that as easy as it is getting special treatment from teachers, it affects the athletes later in the long run.
“College prepares us for the real world. As much as I’m pretty sure every athlete would love to do nothing else but to play ball with no school, they should have to be passing to play because every athlete can’t be in the NFL, therefore they will need school and their education to fall back on,” said Bennett.
According to CNN, although athletes have become priorities to colleges by giving athletes an easier path towards their education and grading, teachers are only hurting the education and intellectuality of the players and their future outside from being an athlete.
Mary Willingham, a Learning Specialist was interviewed by CNN where she studied athletes and their education level.
A big concern was brought up to the NCAA as to how student athletes are being offered free tutoring and mandatory study hall, even with the privilege of teachers who are being more lenient towards the athletes grades but still not able to meet the educational requirements.
Willingham studied 183 football and basketball players between 2004 to 2012, 8% were reading below a 4th grade level and 60% between a 4th and 8th grade level. “They are leaving here, our profit sport athletes without education," said Willingham, and teachers are allowing it.
Jacob Avery, 18, a communication major and running back for De Anza football debated about teachers being lenient towards athletes.
“I don’t think that an athlete should be able to play sports if he fails in school—Absolutely not, the requirements to play are not very demanding and with all the resources available and the people willing to help us the right way there is no excuse to not do well as a student-athlete,” says Avery.
The issue of athletes being prioritized over regular students isn’t just about the focus of the athlete in the active sport, but the well being and equality of the college and its’ purpose for all students and student athletes—education first.
Cameron Turner, 23, an Exercise Science major explained both views as a student and an athlete.
“I in no way agree to favoritism of athletes being fair. Yes, I receive special treatment because I play a sport, but that is no different than a student either working full time also. Every student should be treated equally with the same opportunities within school and their fellow students. Wether your an athlete or not, every student has an ambition and goal to reach in their lives.”
SIMILAR STORIES:
Jacob Avery, 18, a communication major and running back for De Anza football debated about teachers being lenient towards athletes.
“I don’t think that an athlete should be able to play sports if he fails in school—Absolutely not, the requirements to play are not very demanding and with all the resources available and the people willing to help us the right way there is no excuse to not do well as a student-athlete,” says Avery.
The issue of athletes being prioritized over regular students isn’t just about the focus of the athlete in the active sport, but the well being and equality of the college and its’ purpose for all students and student athletes—education first.
Cameron Turner, 23, an Exercise Science major explained both views as a student and an athlete.
“I in no way agree to favoritism of athletes being fair. Yes, I receive special treatment because I play a sport, but that is no different than a student either working full time also. Every student should be treated equally with the same opportunities within school and their fellow students. Wether your an athlete or not, every student has an ambition and goal to reach in their lives.”
SIMILAR STORIES:
NBC NEWS: Athletes test scores lag behind class
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Education; bending the rules for student athletes