1. Intercollegiate SportTreatment of the Student Athlete Breuna Stephens

2. What do we know? • Many student athletes are in sports programs in American colleges and universities that does display the best image of how sports and academic life combine • Some school however do not uphold the term student athlete to its highest standards focusing more on athletes then on education • The fault does not go on the student but on the institutions misusing the athletes.

3. So what are the facts? • Student athletes focus most of their attention on theirs sport • They miss more class and participate in fewer university activities then their student peers • Basketball and Football players performance in class is less then there student peers on every measure of academic performance even with the academic supports services provided for them • Many suffer from frequent or chronic injuries despite better access to good health care • They feel pressure to practice and perform despite injuries • These athletes report having little opportunity or time to participate in personal development activities on campus

4. Value of student athletes • Athletic programs are extremely valuable to universities. They bring in: • Financial Gain • Recognition • The student athlete does not benefit from either of these perks.

5. Situations or ways of improving the problem? • Maybe colleges should incorporate a bill of rights that every college and institution should adhere too. This could include their right to: • Transfer to another college without losing their eligibility to play. • Consult with agents about their future. • Adequate insurance to completely cover their injuries. • If the student is not doing well in the classroom they should not be allowed to play no matter how much they benefit the team.

6. Pros and cons PROs CONs • Not adequately prepared for future career. • Unfair to other students who are actually trying • Get good grades without really trying. • Student athletes get to continue to play because teachers just pass them along.

7. My opinion • I think certain universities uphold the word athlete more than the word student. • Students should not be allowed to practice or play until they fully healed. • Students should get the grade that they earned, athlete or not. • Students should not be allowed to to play if their grades are not up to par.

8. References • Knapp, T. J., Rasmussen, C., & Barnhart, R. K. (2001, 03 01). What college students say about intercollegiate athletics: A survey of attitudes and beliefs. 04 February 2013. • Schmidt, William E. Special to The New York Times. (1986, Jan 14). Bending the rules for student athletes. New York Times (1923-Current File). 04 February 2013. • Siedentop, D., & Mars, H. V. D. (2012). Introductionto physical education, fitness and sport. (8th ed., pp. 284-285). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.