College Athletes Should Not Be Exempt from Regular Class Attendance Policies

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Many college athletes miss classes because of practice, competition and from exhaustion.
For those reasons, supporters argue for exemption of athletes from class attendance policies.
Others argue that college athletes are given scholarships to attend college to play sports. On the contrary, the focus of colleges is educating students. The question is, should colleges athletes be exempt from the class attendance requirements? The answer is no and here is why. First, the education of athletes takes priority over recreational activities. Second, it is unfair for athletes to receive preferential treatment. Third, exempting athletes from the policies does not allow them to develop time management skills. For these reasons the college athletes must attend classes and not be exempt from regular class attendance policies.

In the first place, educating the college athletes is a crucial part of the college experience.
Nevertheless, college athletes receive scholarships and believe they are in college to play and win games. As a result, some people have lost sight of the value of education. After all, student athletes are students first and athletes second. In spite of their extraordinary athletic abilities, these skills cannot overshadow the focus of college that is providing an education for the students. Placing emphasis on the athlete’s academic achievement shall prepare them for tomorrow’s future. In addition, education expands knowledge, promotes critical thinking, increases potential and teaches discipline. The common misconception that athletes are to focus on winning games and not their academic achievement is a distraction to the process.
Theoretically, athletes must keep up a GPA (Grade Point Average) required ...

... middle of paper ...

...top the drift away from academics, and our universities are the standard-bearers for maintaining academic standards. Dr. Tublitz said. Athletes who keep up their grades do not get cut from teams. Many former athletes cannot find employment because each did not attend classes and are not academically ready. To summarize, student athletes must attend regular classes to perform well academically.

Works Cited

Emma, Thomas. "A College Perspective on Academics and the Student Athlete." Coach &
Athletic Director Mar. 2008: 29. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.

Matthews, Frank J. "The Mind In The Middle." Diverse: Issues In Higher Education 23.4
(2006): 36. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.

Yost, Mark. Varsity Green: A Behind The Scenes Look At Culture And Corruption In College
Athletics. Stanford, California: Stanford University, 2010. Print.

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