Become a pro in something other than sports.

The NCCA released this commercial in 2010. It helps to explain to college athletes that just because they are an athlete does not guarantee that they will become a professional athlete. The NCAA does a good job in presenting to college athlete a new perspective that should change many of athletes’ goals. The message is that athletes have the opportunity to become professionals in any field of work. They no longer or did they ever have to focus on just becoming professional athletes which has been a statistic for many collegiate athletes. It also shows the balance between academics and athletics. Balancing in the video of athletes playing their particular sport and working hard on their studies shows how it is possible for athletes to maintain good grades while participating in sports. The focus is not just on athletics but also academics.

The Value of Student-Athlete Education

I was reading on a college sports blog about the value of student-athlete education. I found an interesting blog by Melissa Somadelis that talked about her recent visit to an NCAA convention in which they discussed if college athletes should be getting paid? Melissa claimed that the focus is being placed more on the athlete in student-athlete than on the student in student-athlete. I agree with this as more and more athletes are going to college solely to play sports and not to receive an education. Anyone can see that athletics is extremely important to athletes in college because essentially athletics is probably got them the scholarship to attend college. . According to Melissa, "the ultimate reason they are there is to get an education and in my eyes, the value of an education does not have a price tag." At this convention many people were arguing that student-athletes should be paid because they are helping college athletic departments generate substantial revenues and therefore should share in the department’s profits. However Melissa disagreed as do I. The purpose of attending school is to get an education, not to make money. Many student-athletes that are arguing that they should be getting paid are themselves receiving some sort of scholarship, which often includes tuition, fees, books, housing, meals, etc. I feel that many athletes are being given too much power and in a sense they feel that they are above the educational system. I know that playing sports and keeping up with your academics is a difficult tasks but it can be done. So for athletes to be getting paid in college only says that athletics is far more important than education.

Self Assessment

As I began this English course, I began to learn a great deal about my writing. Writing an essay has been one of the hardest thing for me, mostly because I was never really taught how to organize an essay and all of the different rules of grammar. However, going to office hours and giving a little more of an effort, I can see a change in my writing. Also blogging not just about the need for there to be student-athletes has allowed me to expand on other ideas that I have. I also have a Tumblr that I use to express some of my thoughts. At first, blogging was something that I could never see myself doing but since it was required of me for class I began to enjoy it. I am more comfortable with writing and getting my own message out. I found that many people have some of the same ideas as I do which has made me more of a social person. Being more social has opened more doors and I have come upon more opportunities. I am glad that I started blogging and I am sure that I will continue after I finish this English course.

Athletes should make the most of their Education

I read in this article by Dolph Simons that explained how college athletes are missing out on the opportunity of getting an education. Mainly because many are being influenced by how important winning college games is to their university. However According to Simons, “in the game of 'life,' this is far more important than winning a football game” which is true. I feel that many athletes need to understand that getting an education is far more valuable to their lives then winning sports games. However to change this there has to be a stronger emphasis on while athletes are receiving these athletic scholarships. Yes, it is for them to play sports but they need to reap the benefits of being able to get an free education that many other students would love to have. The coaching staff is a great way to get athletes to understand how important school is to them. Just as the university hires a number of well-paid coaches to train and help players raise their skill levels, they can also be used to raise their skill levels in the classroom. I believe all it takes is a little time and effort for this to be accomplished.

Student-athletes set school GPA record.

Last year at Youngstown State University there was history made by their student athletes. They collectively has a 3.05 cummulative grade point average with 23 of their athletes having 4.0 GPA, while 176 achieved 3.0. Sophmore Vicky Rumph stated that, "Athletics really pushes me to do well in school because it gives me a specific time that I can set away for homework." I found this interseting because many athletes make the excuse that their athletics takes up a majority of their time and it causes them to lack in their studies. But not for the student athletes at this university. The coaches kept their athletes focused by "enforcing mandatory study table hours to all players regardless of grade and grade point average." I feel that coaches should be required to force their athletes to attend study hall. However, that isn't the case everywhere, coach tell their athletes to go to study hall but aren't monitoring if they are actually getting their grades up.

Students Athletes as Leader in Schools & Communities

I read an interesting article by Dr. Chris Stankovich, that talked about the standards that we hold are athletes to as role models and leaders for our schools and communities. Dr. Stankovich discuss how we ask our athletes to be role models and leaders but do not provide any "training or insights as to how to become and effective leader." Having classes that teach athletes how to become better leader and serve their communities would benefit them in the long run. If this was manditory, I believe this would aid athletes in their academics. We can see that many athletes are unaware how many youth view them as role models. But if it were instilled in their mind that they are not only responsible for playing interscholastic sports but their responsiblity to their communities. Also, Dr. Stankovich stressed that we need to explain to are athletes that it is a "priviledge, not a right, to play for his or her school team." Athletes need to understand that they have a positive role in taking the opportunity to inspire youth into taking their academics serious. They have the ablity to bring "positive change" to their communities but its easy said than done. This is not going to happen over night but if there is a stronger effort we can see progess.

Monitoring Student Athletes

"Should Colleges Monitor Student Athletes' Social Media Use?" Yes they should because in order for athletes to stay focus they need to be constantly reminded of there studies. Social media plays a big role in the lives of our college athletes today. Although many colleges support the usage of networking websites because they are "generating public interest and building an online brand," it also cause many to pay more attention to social media rather than academics. In order for there to be and increase in student athletes they need to be monitor that they are taking care of business in the classroom. The problem to me isn't the usage of social media but how much freedom these athletes are given just because they are athletes. As many colleges support social media and want to remain in control of what is being put out on the internet, they should pay more attention to how athletes with there academics. Essentially getting an education is what athletes are at college for, so why is it that colleges are worrying more about what is being said than the actually work? I support the usage of social media, but the blame for athletes not getting the grades that they should, shouldnt be placed on their usage of social media.

New Media, New Athletes

In an Article that I read online untiled, New Media, New Athletes, that discusses the impact of social networking websites and new media has on college athletes, particularlly basketball. It talked about how Duke Point Guard Nolan Smith, used Twitter to discuss returned to Durham and how athletes were to go through intense training to avoid controvesial statement that would be exploited in the media. I found it interesting that, colleges actually put there players through training, because even though they do put there athletes through training, many still make the mistake of being made into examples of not knowing how to keep certain information to themselves. Although Nolan Smith was merely using Twitter to express his emotions towards returning to Durham, other athletes are being caught up in controversys. I feel that the training that they have to go through helps but there is always a double standard for what athletes can do and say.According to Seth Davis, "I think that having Twitter accounts are very dangerous."
I feel that if athletes are going to use social networking websites, they should monitor what they are saying or use some of the sevurity setting that limits who can see their profiles.

Athletes Towards Self-sufficiency..

This week I read in an article that was published in 2001 titled, "Coaches Critical Thinking:Athletes Towards Self- sufficiency," that discussed how an athlete was pasted through his high school english class and now in college is unable to keep up with the curriculum. The athlete was allowed in high school to miss his classes only because of his coach writing him a note that excused him. Many athlete are afraid to speak up about their misguidance with their education. -Often many athletes don't see the problem with them no being in class. This is something that is still is occurring in school systems today. Although there are more rules that try to prevent this from happening, it doesnt change that athletes still need help with their academics. Tutoring Services are available for students to get help with their school work. However for an athlete who was always given the passing grade, going to tutoring is a bit scary. Not knowing how to ask for help is a problem that not only athletes face. I believe that with new media, I can spread awareness about athletes fear of asking for help and getting more to attend tutoring services. This something that I would like to incorporate into my webiste.

Intro to the Scholar Athlete

The purpose of my website is to get our athletes of today to understand that their academics are just as important as their athleteics. Athletes should give as much time and effort towards their academics as they do with their athletics. I want to challenge our athletes to exceed beyond the required minimum GPA of only a 2.00. I would love for athletes to strive to get a 3.00 and higher. I understand that this not an easy task and it will not get done over night. But with the help of athletes, students, teachers, and coaches this can be accomplished. I believe that promoting educational values to scholar athletes and showing them the importance of education will enable them to become better businessmen and develop careers parallel to sports.