Who’s to blame for an athlete not qualifying?
May 2, 2008 @ 12:05 p.m. by Joannaby joanna
My goal of this blog is for conversation, not to assess specific blame to anyone person, but rather to talk about the situation.
This topic has come up recently with the talk about Southeast’s Adonis Gantt going to Cowley. Last I was told is that he was waiting until the June ACT to qualify but was intent on going to Cowley.
But then several posts popped up asking who’s out there making sure kids qualify.
I think the first person who needs to take responsibility is the athlete, whoever that athlete might be. We all have a personal responsibility to do what we need to do to succeed in every avenue of life. If my credit is bad, hey that’s my fault. If I get 17 speeding tickets in 2 months, that’s my fault. If I fail geometry two straight semesters, that’s my fault.
Part of personal responsibility is also looking for help when we need it. Failing geometry one time is bad, but you better look for the help to pass it the second time.
Administrators, teachers and coaches are necessary here because they are the ones must let them know what is needed to qualify. What grades are necessary, what tests need to be taken. That’s a part of school, and any coach that has any caring about athletes — why else would they be doing this? — is passing such information on down to the athletes about core classes and the NCAA clearinghouse. That’s the school’s responsibility. Coaches are also making sure that athletes are passing classes because if they don’t, they can’t play.
Parents also are part of this. They need to make sure their kids are passing classes, are doing well, are learning, are getting the help if they struggle.
Certainly some blame culturally biased ACT and SAT tests. This is especially true in the verbal part because there are certain areas of the country, specifically inner-city schools, that are just trying to get through and aren’t necessarily focused on expanding the vocabulary of its students. Fact is, those tests aren’t basic; they do have advanced vocab.
But I come back to the individual. I know all kids are in different circumstances. Not everyone grows up with two parent homes, in middle-class incomes. There are kids who go home to worse situations that we can even imagine. There are kids who are supporting not only themselves but siblings. That’s a fact. I’ve met way too many of those kids. It’s not easy to rise above that and I give props to anyone who does.
But there are also those kids who underachieve. Are they taking challenging classes in high school or only taking those that will let you get by with a good grade, good enough to play sports? Are they pushing themselves to learn? Or are they focused on what will, hopefully, get them into college? Sports?
I don’t have answers to this because each individual is different. But don’t paint too broad of a brush about what is true for each person. Some of these kids going to Cowley have qualified and are looking to better their chances to go to a bigger time Division I school.
So be careful what assumptions are made, but feel free to address the question. What do you think? Who needs to share the blame here?
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I totally agree with your statement about testing bias. Tests are normed to a standard, which unfortunately in many cases, are only white middle class. The tests take no account for bias, cultural differences or learning difficulties. Students that have a special need (LD, BD, autistic, vision impaired, etc) can not even have an accomodation unless specific and lenghty steps are followed per ACT guide.
Many times, it is not a relevance of true intelligence of an athlete.
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
You could start with KSHSAA and have them raise the standards.
Make it a 2.0 avg. and No (0) failed classes. zero tolerance.
You could have coaches; administrators and teachers stop coddling athletes that don’t make the grade. Stop letting them on the team. Stop wasting jerseys.
I’ve seen players practicing with ankle “bracelets” on.
Watched while coaches held starting spots for kids that were academically ineligible for the first semester.
I’ve know of a player on a 3 day suspension that practiced on saturday with the team, so he’d be ready for tuesday.
They keep the “good” kids?
My opinion is, there are far too many good kids that have the potential to excel at sports walking the halls, while coaches give too many “needy” kids the spot on the team.
There are too many kids (two parent homes, in middle-class incomes) out there that see the favoritism going on and just refuse to put up with it. They either quit or don’t bother trying out. You could say, good for them, but it shouldn’t be.
I say, shame on the principal, shame on the athletic director, shame on the teachers, and SHAME on the coach.
The principal, teachers administrators all huddle together and decide poor little troubled ray, jay or billy-bob won’t graduate unless he plays sports. The ADs and coaches all huddle together and decide they can’t win and have a legacy unless poor little troubled ray, jay or billy-bob plays………..and poof!! You have it.
Nothing more than institutionalized blackmail (no pun intended)
What’s the big deal? They graduated didn’t they?
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:59 pm
I have never seen or been part of a huddle. You must have a child that this is not “troubled ray, jay, or billy-bob”. Just another example of the little guy trying to keep “the man” down?
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Just read your comment bball fan and am a little unsure of where you’re going with this. Are you saying that the powers that be in school decide who is going to make the team based on how crappy one’s life is? I’m not sure if that’s the point of your last paragraph, but it seems to be. Seems that you’re saying the good middle-class athletes are just too good of kids with too many advantages, so why put them on the team, they don’t need it. Even if they are good athletes.
But the poor kids, the ones who have little family support, put them on the team. Regardless of whether they are good athletes.
If that is what you are saying, I’m saying, ‘Wow.’ Coaches want to win. Should they keep those kids who are academically ineligible through the first semester? Maybe, maybe not. Are they saying, hey, here’s a second chance to prove yourself? Or are they saying, we don’t like you smart kids, so you can’t play?
I’m assuming we’re mainly talking basketball and football here, and I can honestly say that of the coaches I know well, they want to win. Whether it was Chris Young at West last year or Rick Wheeler at Heights or Lonnie Lollar at Carroll and LaToya Randle at Southeast. They all wanted to win. I don’t see one of those coaches putting a kid on the court that is there just because he or she needs football or basketball to graduate.
Again, I say, Wow.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
to fred, no my kid(s) is not the troubled one(s). but i’ll have to hand it to him for NOT quitting. Yes, i’ve been in at least one of these huddles.
yes, i’ve actually heard the “keeps them connected”, “they’ll just drop out.” and worse. much worse.
to joanna
1.Are they saying, hey, here’s a second chance to prove yourself?
No, they are saying no matter what YOU do, we will bend over backwards for that graduation (and don’t sue us.) Just please stay and play. Pretty standard city league philosophy, from what i’ve seen.
2.middle-class athletes are just too good of kids with too many advantages, so why put them on the team, they don’t need it. (i might add, they won’t make much of a stink about not making it and won’t sue.)
I guess that point was well made. You quit and made it all right. Right?
3.Regardless of whether they are good athletes.
I guess what i meant was, regardless if they are good “people.” I didn’t mean coaches were giving spots to poor athletes.
4.Again, I say, Wow.
I’ll say it with ya! WOW! kinda blows yer mind don’t it?
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Okay Fred so are saying that we should come up a test that lowers the standard for an inner city kid? Thats just saying to the kid “you were raised in a tougher situation so you dont have to do as much to get by in life” I was raised in a tougher part of town, not completely horrible but you sure wouldnt leave your door unlocked, and scored a 23 on the ACT while other kids, more priviliged kids, scored in the 16-19 range. Just cause they can afford a nicer car and expensive clothes doesnt make them smarter.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Bballfan is saying coaches will sacrifice character to get the W. I know what he means, when the teams policy is, 1 fight and your done and three fights and half a season later here they are in the starting line-up. The urge to win as a coach is needed but hgih school coaches push it too far. I have heard a coach say about his player “If he plays that good while he is high I will buy him the weed” Now even if that is a joke the coach new the player had been smoking weed and let him play anyway.
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Yes the Coach should make sure a kid make his grades period ! “BIAS” now that is BS ! If you go to class and study there is almost no way you wouldnt have a high enough score to pass,however way way to many dont Period !!! There is plenty of blame to go around for why this is allowed to happen.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:11 pm
“1.Are they saying, hey, here’s a second chance to prove yourself?
No, they are saying no matter what YOU do, we will bend over backwards for that graduation (and don’t sue us.) Just please stay and play. Pretty standard city league philosophy, from what i’ve seen.”
I guess it’s perspective. I see it as a coach giving a second chance. Are there third and fourth chances when it comes to academic eligibility? Then I’d have to say that’s not a good situation. Not sure what you mean about not suing us.
Then there’s your comments about “yes, i’ve actually heard the “keeps them connected”, “they’ll just drop out.” and worse. much worse.”
You know what? Sports do keep kids connected, whether they’re poor or rich, whether they are potential dropouts or not. It does keep them connected. Oftentimes kids stay in school so they can play sports. It happens. It’s a great thing about sports. But I just do not believe you that Southeast principal Leroy Parks is telling Gary Guzman or Carl Taylor that he needs to keep a specific kid just to keep them from dropping out. I sincerely doubt that Weston Schartz keeps a kid on the field — and hurts the team because he’s not that good — just to keep him in school and because Jim McNiece told him too.
We certainly disagree here, but hey, it’s a great conversation.
“2.middle-class athletes are just too good of kids with too many advantages, so why put them on the team, they don’t need it. (i might add, they won’t make much of a stink about not making it and won’t sue.)
I guess that point was well made. You quit and made it all right. Right?”
Huh, I’m not sure what you mean about me quitting and making it. (on a side note, Are you someone’s wife because you remember everything I write — not that we’re arguing. It’s a conversation.) Anyway, why would anyone not put a kid on the team based on what their advantages are? If they’re good, they should be on the team. End of discussion. This is really where you lose me because I don’t get why you think kids who are good kids aren’t making teams. Mike Atwater? I thought he was a heck of a kid. Jordan Cyphers? Very cool. Daley Gunter (2007), great kid. I could give you more examples.
“3.Regardless of whether they are good athletes.
I guess what i meant was, regardless if they are good “people.” I didn’t mean coaches were giving spots to poor athletes.”
So only the crappy kids with the rotten attitudes make teams? Let’s talk football for examples here. I like Arthur Brown. Good kid. I like Blaize Foltz. I like Taylor Beitler. Do they fit into your category?
4.Again, I say, Wow.
I’ll say it with ya! WOW! kinda blows yer mind don’t it?
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:56 am
There are plenty of kids who come from broken homes, lower income families, and bad situations who make it because they have the desire to better themselves. Bottom line is it’s athletes responsibility to make sure they have the necessary requirements to go to college. With all the coaches, teachers, administrators, counselors, and college coaches available it should not be too hard to find out the necessary information. And if they are good they won’t even have to ask. I also think that any kid who applies themselves in school can make it. Maybe its because we are afraid to tell little John and Susie at a young age they must get good grades to be successful and by the time they figure it out its hard to catch up.
May 4th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
As a high school teacher at an inner city school, I have heard variations of the comments above hundreds of times. Let’s be honest: what people are really saying is: I want my kid to play. If he’s not playing, it’s because of some conspiracy by teachers/coaches/principals.
But who’s REALLY to blame? The black kid who doesn’t have any business being in school with my kid, because he comes from a bad neighborhood, wears the wrong clothes, talks scary. Everybody knows that’s what you’re really saying, folks. Your subtext isn’t too subtle.
Yes, we do try to keep kids “connected”. It benefits ALL of us to educate & graduate as many students as possible, regardless of the strikes they have against them. Kids don’t choose to be born to crappy circumstances, and sometimes they do need other caring adults (coaches, teachers) to help them get on the right track.
May 4th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
For a test that is culturally biased there are sure are alot of african americans playing D1 sports. Stupid doesn’t care what color you are, if you don’t do the work or pay attention in class you will not pass.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I feel that the parents need to make sure that from the time a child enters high school that every grade from this point on impacts their entire future. Then they need to keep checking on the progress of their children not wait for the school to send out reports, the problem has come about because no one wants to take responsibility for their own children anymore, it has nothing to do with social economics- single parent, poor, rich, two parent all of these for their own reasons have just let the schools be responsible for raising their children, take 2 minutes out of your day and call the school and find out what grades are and what your child is up to when at school you might be surprised and not necessarily happy at what you find out. It is time that people start becoming responsible instead of blaming everyone else.
May 6th, 2008 at 9:21 am
ok first off im 18 adonis is my cousin and when you do your own thing its kind of hard to focus imma need yall to get ya facts straight before you put somebodys name in the public !!! now point
May 6th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I Agree that the Main responsibility is on the athlete. But for this Bias testing. Come on This is Amereica and we speak English (or are supposed to) If the schools are not teaching proper english to Inner city students then Shame on them. But eventually the student needs to realize you cant make it through life talking slng or ghetto english.. Some of the Athletes you see in interviews today on TV sound like some of the most uneducated individuals around. Who is to blame there? You think these major Universities would encourage their “Star” Athletes to become better speakers as representatives of their schools. After all they are paying the bill for
the Athletes education. Lets Face it Schools DONT CARE!!! If they can get an Athlete who can put points on the board and fans in the stands they dont really care what happens to the Athlete!!
May 6th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Dear Teacher,
Correct. I do want my kid to play. I do want my kid to play with other kids that work hard, are responsible, take care of their grades, and don’t have any off campus incidents with drugs/guns/gangs/fighting and other ill behavior. I don’t care what color they are. Principals, Administrators, Coaches and teachers actually hold the fans (students) more accountable for their behavior than some of the athletes.
btw, Joanna my conversation is not neccesarily about SE sports, or A.G. I’ts about CL schools in general.
May 7th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I’m pretty sure its George Bush’s fault.
May 7th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
too all yall woods on hear hating 1st of all we won state and there is no reason 4 u to be in any of the kids bizz because u dont pay none of they bill or feed them. 2nd yall didnt say nothin about us gettin robed against BC but u wont to talk about somebody who is tryin to do right and make it out of this week a$$ place. 3nd yall ante helpin these kids neither so u can keep your mouth shut………………woods.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Dear Woods,
Well put.
Thanks you Teacher.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:05 am
anyone read the fine print the past two days and noticed the area has two more ladies headed out to play D-1 basketball????
May 8th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Woods,
This was a general comment about who’s to blame about an athlete not qualifying. It was not specifically directed to one person or one team. I’m assuming you’re talking about Southeast winning state — anyone who doubts that Southeast was the best team in the area is crazy. Unless you’re from East.
As to being in the athlete’s business. There are certainly plenty of haters out there who will dog a kid out for whatever reason, but I do believe this was a good conversation on why there are kids not qualifying. I don’t have a good answer why it happens, but it is a concern. And it’s something I addressed when I wrote about the Division-I football players in the area last fall. There’s a lot of talented kids in the area, but fact is, a lot don’t qualify. Now this happens everywhere, but when you see someone like Gary Chandler, a stud at East and Heights, go juco because he didn’t qualify, it’s a concern.
Will all kids qualify? No, just like all students won’t qualify for college. But it just seems to me that too many aren’t qualifying. Am I not allowed to be interested or comment on it because I’m not their mama? Man, if that were the case, that would be sad. I am focused on my boys and what their futures hold, but I also want to see more than just my boys succeed.
This is a conversation that needs to happen, in my opinion. Keeping our mouths shut and acting like it isn’t happening is wrong. Fact is, if kids aren’t qualifying — whether they are athletes or not — then something is wrong. Is it the schools? The teachers? The parents? The athletes? We need to find it out so we can have kids getting that degree. Because let me tell you, not having a college degree makes life a whole lot tougher.
May 8th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
So the City League had 1 male basketball player go DI and how many girls so far?