I fully believe that the athletics abilities of a high school student should be a factor in his or her admission to particular colleges and universities. If a prospective student-athlete can help a school’s sports teams, why shouldn’t that be a factor? Just as a high school student’s musical ability may weigh in to admissions decisions, athletic prowess can and should be a factor as well.
While there’s nothing wrong with athletics ability playing a role in the admissions process, there’s a fine line between targeting well-rounded students who meet an institution’s academic profile and allowing anybody who can catch a ball or shoot a jump shot a free pass into college.
A recent proposal from the membership has made its way into the 2006-07 legislative cycle, and would require prospects to register with the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse before taking an official visit or receiving an offer of financial aid. In the past, schools acknowledged a prospect’s athletic prowess before checking his or her academic credentials. This proposal would change all of that.
There’s nothing wrong with tagging kids who can help the school’s athletics program. What’s not right, however, is admitting unqualified students who are clearly unprepared to succeed academically because they can help you win.
