Graduation Gap Between Student Athletes

In 2009, the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s “March Madness” held a commercial highlighting the graduation rate increase from student athletes, while in the previous year’s tournament a commercial emphasized on how the student athletes will “go pro in something else.” In the 1999 Division I tournament, the top 16 seeded men's teams had an average graduation rate of 44 percent; in 2009 it increased to 64 percent.

In a news paper article, professor Jessica A. Johnson wrote, “The annual study "Keeping Score When It Counts," published by Dr. Richard Lapchick of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports, shows only a 2 percentage-point increase in overall graduation rates for male basketball players, which now stands at 66 percent. Graduation rates continue to slowly increase for African-American male basketball players, but their general progress remains mediocre, as only 59 percent earn their degrees.”

In an interesting article I found, a section explained the improvements made from the NCAA president, Mark Emmert, "Academic reform is working, students are better prepared when they enter college, and they are staying on track to earn their degrees. Some doubted our efforts, but the resolve of our presidents is strong, and we are reaping the fruit of several years of hard work." Due to the reform, in one year time, the black athlete was able to increase the odds by 5 percent; more than any other ethnic group.

  Is the reason for coaches wanting their players to stay in college in order to help benefit the player or to benefit themselves? Jim Calhoun recently blew up on camera, telling a political activist freelance journalist to "shut up" when the journalist goaded him on his $1.6 million salary. When a coach has a better team, the more money the coach will bring in whether it’s from alumni or from advertisements. I believe that in order for a student athlete to leave college early for a professional league, he or she must take some kind of investment class, so when their athletic career ends they will be able to maintain a stable life. It really struck me when I began thinking about how quick an athlete’s career could end; from an injury or having a bad season and let go.  In college the athletes are given exclusive treatment in the class rooms, feeling the need to not preform to the best of their abilities in the classroom as they perform on game day. Dr. Tublitz recognizes the probability that not all the athletes will go on to the professionals; only around 3 percent will move on to the big leagues. "They come here and are treatedlike royalty. Until they break a leg or get put on the second string and thenthey get set aside. Many don't earn a degree. They don't have the training orthe skills to be independent after they leave the university. They'relost."

I personally feel that no student-athlete should be allowed to play past college unless they graduate. If their career were to suddenly end, they would be unprepared for a professional job. My father played football his whole life, and when he went to college injuries obstructed his abilities. He graduated with bachelors in liberal art and several of his team mates graduated with the same degree in PE and Dietitian. My father has been coaching ever since he graduated and is finally going to coach college ball.