Curtis Hollinger weighs in on merits of HS Athletes 2.0 GPA

[NewsCopy]

For years, Rickey Hardy tried to implement a 2.0 minimum grade-point average requirement for Lafayette Parish student-athletes. Each one of his attempts failed. Now, as a state representative, he recently wrote House Bill 128, which, if passed, will make it mandatory for every Louisiana student-athlete to maintain a 2.0 minimum grade-point average to play sports. There is currently no minimum grade-point average requirement to participate in middle school athletics, and there is only a 1.5 minimum grade-point average to participate in high school athletics. This low academic standard perpetuates the perception and belief that student-athletes are stupid and lack the ordinary ability to learn and understand. Are our student-athletes "stupid-athletes"? Will they quit attending school if the academic requirements are raised? Are low academic standards a fair remedy for athletically gifted children from disadvantaged economic, social and educational backgrounds? Do we appreciate the entertainment value of sports over the educational value of academics? The rest of the story Curtis Hollinger chollinger@glennarmentor.com 233-1471 news@theadvertiser.com

[Clutch0364]

This is something that should have happened a long time ago!

[RaginCajunPie]

_ This is something that should have happened a long time ago! _

Amen!!! I can't tell you how hard it is to explain to mommas that yes, your baby could have less than a 2.0 GPA to play high school ball, but no, less than 2.0 isn't good enough for them to qualify for college ball.

[cajun4life]

_ Amen!!! I can't tell you how hard it is to explain to mommas that yes, your baby could have less than a 2.0 GPA to play high school ball, but no, less than 2.0 isn't good enough for them to qualify for college ball. _

I think thet they should take it one step further and make it a 2.5 GPA in order to play sorts. I personally think that 90% of athletes who fail in high school is due to lack of commitment to academics. A 2.5 GPA is what you need to graduate in some college degree programs so I feel like that should be the standard. It may also help with Louisiana'a poor ranking when it comes to lower ed.

[MissingMandy]

Wow...I am so glad to hear this. If I had to bet that is actually happens...I would say no. One can only hope that this becomes the norm.