I think we all know what to do to keep a smile on people’s face. I do what I’m supposed to do to please my teachers by coming on time every day.
But how would you feel if for the first time you arrived fifteen minutes late to class and the teacher gives you a lecture on tardiness? How would you feel if an athlete arrives five minutes before class is over and gets full credit – hears nothing about a lecture? Well that happens more than it actually should. I’ve seen it.
Athletes are able to get away with murder, as long as they can put up decent stats. They are put on a pedestal just because they can score a few points and win a few games – and keep a smile on the professor’s face.
It baffles me that some of the athletes manage to graduate with honors and are given a banquet for their “scholastic achievement,” but there’s nothing scholastic about tardiness.
Yet an athlete is allowed to walk in a class late and still be allowed to take the quiz. And I’m not talking a make-up quiz; they take the same quiz that the other students took. How biased is that?
This kind of behavior is unfair. Unfair to me and to the athlete who has wasted 15 minutes that could have gone towards their education.
What is that athlete going to do if he doesn’t make it to the pros? I know this may sound cliche but shouldn’t you have something to fall back on?
Yes, you should, maybe collegiate athletic failure is a statistic that needs to be compiled and reviewed by the masses of athletes. Perhaps they should have a class that teaches a plan B. They should call it “No League 101.”
It may sound far-fetched but trust me it is not that far from the truth. To the athlete that thinks he will get by on talent alone take heed to these words and trust your main reason for attending college: to get an education.
You need an education in this day and age to get that house on the hill, to be able to drive the most expensive cars, and not have to worry about living from paycheck to paycheck.
My words of advice to the athlete that takes his education for granted is to always, always put your education first do not depend on others to guide you nor expect anything. Nothing is given you have to earn it.
Alicia Phillips is a junior pre-law/criminal justice major from Baton Rouge.