Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: Academics

With many senior athletes throughout the country coming to decisions or at least narrowing things down this time of year, I think it is important to break down a number of factors in the decision process. There will be a variety of things that I cover here and in the future so it is something to keep an eye on if you want to learn more about some important aspects in the college decision.

In this look, we talk about how important academics are in the life of a student athlete. These academics will play a major role in what you will do once your playing days are numbered at the college and even professional levels. As much as some try, you will not be able to spend the rest of your life playing football, basketball, baseball, or any other sport (Outside of maybe golf).

The first point to talk about when bringing about academics is that there is a very small percentage of college athletes who gets a chance to play professional sports at any level. This includes the minor leagues for baseball, overseas for basketball, or the Canadian League for football. While more people assume they are going to get that chance to play professionally, it is important to realize that very few are blessed enough for that.

What the 95% plus of collegiate athletes who are not making money playing their chosen sport, they need to figure out what school will provide them with the best education that can help them set up themselves for the rest of their lives. While you may play athletics for the first 25 years of your life, you will likely be working the next 50 years (Give or take a few) so it is important to give yourself a strong base.

Before you get to college, you should at least have a clue as to what you want to study. Most freshman do go in undecided but at least knowing what areas you like will help you out. If you love computers, business, or art, then you at least have a good feel for what you may want to go into. And once you know that, it allows you to research the programs at each school. This will give you a heads up academically at a variety of locations.

While most parents want to see their children go to an Ivy League school, most athletes want to play sports and have the greatest time possible playing college athletics. But even though you may be 18 years old, you have to realize that for the rest of your life you will be using this education. It is important to take advantage of what the school offers.

I recently was told by someone who took an unofficial visit to a program in the Big 10 and that person was telling me how hard it is for an athlete to fail out of school. While it does unfortunately happen on occasion, these schools set up an athlete with tutoring, study halls, checking papers, and just about anything else that is considered legal (That does not include writing papers for you).

Another factor that comes in with academics is what the program can do for you. By that I mean does it help a student get a job after college? Do they offer internships in your field? Will they help place you with alums of the school? I am sure all athletes would love to get the Oklahoma treatment of their best athletes (Which means get paid for doing very little) but few are given that chance. That is why you as a student athlete need to make the most of what the college offers you.

This is a vital time in your life. You may only be 18 years old but you need to challenge yourself in the classroom. While there is not much I can do about it now, if I could do it all over again, I would have taken harder classes in college. Instead I decided to take the easy way out. So don’t do that as an athlete. Go into a field that you love and challenge yourself along the way. It may not be easy with athletics, academics, and a social life but academics will help you the most down the road. There is no doubt about that (Unless you are about to be drafted #1 sometime soon).

Previous recruiting specific articles to look at:

• Football Recruiting Advice for Quarterbacks
• Football Recruiting Advice for Running Backs
• Basketball Recruiting Advice for Point Guards
• Basketball Recruiting Advice for Shooting Guards
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: Location
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: Athletic Facilities
• Important Factors in Accepting an Athletic Scholarship: The Coaching Staff