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.