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1/28/08 Recently the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) has considered establishing a new eligibility standard for Student-Athletes. In short, a student would be required to maintain a 3.0 GPA, or they would not be eligible to play sports. While I believe their intentions are pure, their actions are misguided. Because we are blessed with a plethora of talented, intelligent kids in Novi that are the product of successful families, you cannot assume that there is the same level playing field around the State of Michigan. As such, meeting those standards might be unattainable in some communities even though every conscious effort would be made. As a former Division I athlete, I think I know what the problem is. In the vast majority of cases, students that don't make the grade fall short simply because they miss too many classes, miss too many homework assignments and generally fail to show up. Woody Allen once said, "90% of success is simply showing up." It's true... In college, I played with several talented athletes that only went to class when they felt like it, and they were appropriately disciplined. Ironically, at least two of them made it to the Major Leagues, but they are the exception. I believe the MHSAA should set a standard of class attendance and assignment completion. Education is an activist pursuit and the process should focus on learning, not merely earning a high GPA. Don't get me wrong, GPA is important but just because you tell me your GPA is 3.8, doesn't mean I'd hire you or give you carte blanche. I am very fortunate that both of my kids held GPA's well above 3.0, but frankly, in life that doesn't guarantee them anything. There are many other factors that contribute to success like work ethic, integrity, social skills, mutual respect, and humility. Those are things that kids must learn on their own. Show me a youngster that
reports to class in a timely fashion and on a consistent
basis, completes all their assignments and works in accord
with their teachers to be successful, and I'll show you a
student that has earned the right to be on the team. Education is an activist pursuit, and athletics are now an integral part of education. Show up to class on time with consistency, and you get to come to practice and play in the games. Fail to show, and you can stay on the sidelines, it's your choice. A GPA is important, but it is an arbitrary number that people like to feel self-important about. Since you don't need a 3.0 GPA to graduate from high school, why would you need a 3.0 GPA to maintain eligibility? Remember, 50% of all Doctors and Lawyers finished in the bottom half of their class too!! So, does that make them ineligible as well? (c) 2007 Novi
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