Bob Greene’s article struck a nerve with me, ouch! I disagree with your suggestion, “If the university or college offers a scholarship to the athlete, then it must offer an academic scholarship to a fine student in financial need from the same school.” This solution, while well intentioned, is misguided in two considerations. First, your emphasis starts with the presumption that athletic scholarships remain the primary focus. Schools dedicated to a high profile sports program will continue chasing athletes; academics will remain the secondary thought. We need to reverse that focus!
For state subsidized institutions, my tax dollars should be directed to financial aid for academic stars first, and at a significantly higher multiple over athletic scholarships. When we need medical excellence, our interest in the basketball or football standings of any NCAA school will be quite limited!
Your second error is to assume that the same high schools and colleges, which “produce” athletes also require/encourage academic excellence. I believe our state high schools abide by the letter of the law when it comes to providing students with an education. I also believe the vast majority of our teachers seek the same goal, as noted in the “letter of the law.” Yet, it seems a grade of “D” here and there, followed with mostly “C’s” remains acceptable for athletes. Unfortunately, the spirit of providing an education, in my opinion, should require more of the athlete, not less! This higher standard should apply both in the classroom and in the classes the student athlete is allowed to select.
The Tribune invented “Preps Plus.” Maybe it, too, can start to regularly use the front and editorial pages to promote our academic stars and the schools that emphasize educational excellence.
