Student Athletes Receiving Special Treatment

In “Athletes and Education”, a writing by Neil H. Petrie, expresses the concern that athletes in school systems have special treatment over other students. Neil believes that star athletes at some schools are handed everything on a golden platter by teachers and coaches. He states that student athletes at colleges receive preferential treatment. Athletes are able to cut some classes, while still being able to slide through. They may receive special dorms, meals, or personal tutors. However, these student athletes are protected from the harsh reality of the real world and may not be prepared by the time they graduate. Neil brings up a good point when he evaluates what will happen to these athletes once they graduate. Some may end up being just fine, if they have a pro contract to lean on in the future, but what about those who are discarded once they are no longer needed for college athletics? They will obviously not be prepared for the real world, since they are used to being bottle-fed all through their education.

In my own personal experiences, being a student and an athlete at my high school, I do not think things are quite the same. Things are not handed out to student athletes, and the same goes for students who have a job or other major time commitment. If anything, they have more responsibilities to deal with. Sure, students are allowed to miss class if they have a scheduled game, but they are always expected to make the work up. Student athletes are graded using the same criteria of any other student. However, looking at the college setting I can see why student athletes are put on a pedestal. They represent the university and if a star player does not receive adequate grades in a class, the whole team will suffer. Even so, students should never receive special treatment, just because they are involved in sports. It is unfair to the other students in the class, but mostly it is unfair to the student athletes who will not be prepared after graduation.