A fortnight ago, the Creightonian published the editorial “Confusing athletics for academics,” by Josh Potter, in which several misleading points presented ATE 161, titled Squad Participation, as a privilege that student-athletes allegedly have in order to “furnish academic credit.”
I have refrained from fabricating an impetuous response by taking a week to reflect and gather the factual truth in order to respond with more accurate information about the class.
The editorial surmised the athletic component as the only criteria for a satisfactory performance in the course and failed to mention the other requisites, such as compliance with all academic requirements as prescribed by the Academic Learning Center; which include weekly study hall assigned contingent on the student’s GPA; fulfillment of all community service hours assigned by the Department’s Outreach coordinator; and compliance with all NCAA and MVC rules.
Student-athletes who fail to meet these requirements and/or are dismissed from a team for reasons of conduct, attendance or rules non-compliance receive a grade of unsatisfactory.
This is not an achievement-based-course. Satisfactory or unsatisfactory grades are assigned objectively by the Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations and does not affect a student’s GPA, unless an unsatisfactory grade is assigned, which adversely affects the student’s GPA.
Also, the editorial compared enrollment in three credits of Biology, a required course in some majors, and ATE 161, an elective course assigned one credit. Contrary to the editorial, one can enroll in this course only for one semester per year.
Theoretically, the course begins on Jan. 9, but in practice, student-athletes may have been working to earn a “satisfactory” grade since Aug. 22 or before, and may continue to work toward their grade even after the school year ends.
Moreover, to infer that prerequisites for this class are discriminatory is a fallacy. Certain classes at Creighton demand prerequisites. In sports, tryouts are prerequisites to determine the intellectual aptitude of a student reflected through their athletic talent, but, just as some excel through God’s given talents in sciences, so do student-athletes, who use their intellect to channel their athletic talents in order to excel within their sport.
Much is required academically from student-athletes. Shawn Magrum, a women’s soccer player stated, “I have learned how to balance a physically intense 20-hour practice week with 17 credit hours, along with turning in homework and projects early due to the numerous times our bus left Omaha on Thursday morning and didn’t return until late Sunday night.”
This is commonly practiced in different sports, many of which require athletes to wake up at 5 a.m. to row, practice, lift or even run in severely inclement weather.
Contrary to the romantic tale spun two weeks ago, teams are not made just by those who “experience the thrill of shooting the game winning 3-pointer.”
Rather, teams are made by those who do what is required to fulfill their duty as a student-athlete, knowing and accepting the reality that they may not have a chance to step on the field during a game, participate in a race or compete in a match. Those men and women are the core of every athletic team.
Finally, and most importantly, athletes receive, as a byproduct, academic credit for intellectual mastery in the course.
All athletes must attend every CHAMPS/Life-Skills seminar assigned by the Athletic Department and required by the NCAA. “I have learned more about career training, alcohol and media relations due to the countless number of seminars we are required to attend each year,” Magrum said.
Other topics include subjects like proper nutrition, jobs and graduate schools among others. This class is set up like an internship. Credit is endorsed if one attends and executes the task without breaking any rules.
Jose Guerra, Arts & Sciences junior