The document discusses the issue of student-athletes being underestimated and facing criticism for being accepted into college over more academically qualified students due to their athletic abilities. It argues that raising the minimum GPA requirement for student-athletes would better prepare them for the academic rigors of college by pushing them to study more. While student-athletes have less time to study due to practice and game schedules, they work hard to balance their academics and athletics. Raising the GPA requirement would help student-athletes receive more recognition and credit for their efforts.

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Dominique Smith
Professor McFadden
English Composition 2
23 February 2013
Underestimated Athletes
Student-athletes have been under-estimated over the years when it comes to
attending college. Being a student-athlete is a tough, time-consuming task. Student-athletes
are being criticized because of the grade point average requirement to attend college. Many
students determined to attend and graduate college, are not being accepted into schools,
because athletes are in popular demand for colleges. Students who worked their whole lives
putting in the extra effort in the classrooms are falling short due to athletes taking that “last
opening” in the acceptance process. Although it is not up to them, athletes are still ridiculed
and blamed for being accepted into college over a student with better academic
qualifications. In order to receive the proper appreciation as a student and athlete; I believe
the GPA for a student athlete should be raised.
Raising the student-athlete grade point average (GPA) in high schools will only
prepare student-athletes for college. Raising the GPA will push the athlete to study more
without doing the bare minimum. High schools in our nation have different caliber for
grades. In some school districts the grades most schools consider ‘average’ are below
average at other schools. As Dilley-Knoles cited from Foltz, “…the individual student
athlete has suffered from an educational system that has not prepared him or her well for
institutional learning. Their training through the educational system has left a number of

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student-athletes with inadequate skills necessary for academic success in college. (P.4)”
This issue becomes a problem, which causes an “average” student-athlete to be chosen over
a highly qualified student. Tests such as the American College Test (ACT) and the
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) are thought of as a helpful way to judge which students
would succeed at the college level. Students struggle with the two tests that are considered
the key to their future.
Being a student-athlete I know exactly how nerve racking and intimidating those
tests are as far as the acceptance process Athletes are not given any special advantages,
when taking either of the two tests you are not considered the star athlete at your high
school anymore; your considered a regular student taking the tests trying to achieve the
same goal of being accepted into college as the other 20+ students in the room. Student-
athletes are earning their grades and test scores the same way as any other highly qualified
student would. Student-athletes deserve the opportunity of a college education as well as a
student who is academically qualified. Determining the difference between the two kinds of
students becomes the problem in the acceptance process.
A student-athlete is still a student before being an athlete, which means academics
are a very important issue. Students need to realize that at the end of the day, a college
degree is the main goal. People like to criticize the hard work and dedication that athletes
put forth as far as staying on top of their studies and also being a dedicated teammate.
Student-athletes do not have the same study opportunities that other students have due to
the practice hours they are putting into their sport. Athletes could be apart of the category
of students who excel in the classrooms if maybe they had the study time on their hands
that the other students have. Being able to balance classwork and their sport is a very

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challenging agenda that most athletes are able to accomplish very well. Dealing with tough
assignments and the additional stress from the sports season, most athletes are still able to
keep an above average GPA in hopes of taking their knowledge and talents to the next
level.
In conclusion, on behalf of all student-athletes working hard in the classrooms and
in their sport, I feel that the eligibility grade average should be raised. Student-athletes will
finally receive the credit they deserve without being underestimated by people who think
athletes are given unearned opportunities in college. Student-athletes have put in far more
than enough hard work in both the classrooms and in their sport to be ridiculed by people
who do not have the slightest idea of what an athlete goes through. Results show that
students perform above the required GPA eligibility mark during the athletic season
(Dilley-Knoles). Raising the GPA for student athlete eligibility is a very big step, but it is
also a great way to prepare athletes for the struggle of time management and the
importance of education in college.

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Works Cited
Dilley-Knoles, Jennifer, Jeffrey S. Burnett, and Kayla W. Peak. "United States Sports
Academy - "America's Sports University"" Making the Grade: Academic Success in
Today's Athlete. N.p., 2010. Web. 26 Feb. 2013.
Foltz, R.A. (1992). Academic achievement of student-athletes. Unpublished
master’s thesis, Fort Hays State University, KS.