[nky]

5 years ago, I would have agreed with you. Being around adolescents on a daily basis now, it's more clear for me personally. Some kids absolutely hate school, there's no way around it. There are a few kids I've been around that would probably quit school altogether if it weren't for their love of football. Priorities are jacked up, but it is what it is. It's a motivational tool that forces you to complete your school work. ALL teams that I'm aware of require players to make certain grades to even participate. Some parents do not push their kids in the classroom. It's sad, but it happens more than you may think. Some need athletics to get that chance to attend college that they may not otherwise get. Some aren't as gifted in the classroom as others. If you're from a place where EVERY student-athlete has never fell under one of the categories I've mentioned, I want to see it.

In the end it's not athletics that will pay the bills. It may be a temporary fix (getting the grades to play) but in the long run it will not help. An education is forever. If the student needs athletics to get by in highschool they are wasting their money in college.