Lately in the news there have been several stories of grades being changed so that college football players could be eligible to play. This issue has become such a problem that the NCAA has had to investigate several schools and even some high schools to check for fraudulent grades. This “cheating” to play is unfair to those athletes who really do work hard in high school and college to make grades and participate in sports.So, why do colleges put a greater emphasis on sports than on grades? That is obvious. It is the mighty dollar!!! If colleges have less than stellar athletes and are not successful, fans do not come to games and fans are very important to colleges and universities. If they do not win games, revenue is lost. The ticket sales, concessions, and merchandise sold at college games end. It is money that drives these educational facilities to make sure athletes “make the grade”. Examples of grades being changed can be found on college campuses all over this country.
changed grades on his high school transcript. While Auburn is not believed to be involved,
Williams’ high school guidance counselor resigned after he admitted that he changed grades on the student’s transcript to make him eligible to sign with Auburn. Not only has this affected the player’s ability to play on the college level, but it has caused much unrest in the town and school he attended in Tennessee. His former principal, Mr. Mixon, has stated that he and the school board is launching a full investigation into the matter. It is also stated that Nick Fairley and another Auburn recruit or player had grades changed to make the players eligible according to NCAA rules.
Williams’ high school guidance counselor resigned after he admitted that he changed grades on the student’s transcript to make him eligible to sign with Auburn. Not only has this affected the player’s ability to play on the college level, but it has caused much unrest in the town and school he attended in Tennessee. His former principal, Mr. Mixon, has stated that he and the school board is launching a full investigation into the matter. It is also stated that Nick Fairley and another Auburn recruit or player had grades changed to make the players eligible according to NCAA rules.
This type of illegal grade changing does not just lie within the SEC schools, NCAA
officials are also investigating allegations that an Ohio State player, Bobain Savovich, had
grades changed in college classes. At least two professors admitted to changing failing grades for Savovich and he also had an incomplete grade changed to a “C”. While it is true the player has not been at OSU since 2002, this is proof that this type of activity has gone on for many years in colleges across the country. This story also shows that grade changing does not just occur in football programs. Savovich was a star basketball player at OSU.
grades changed in college classes. At least two professors admitted to changing failing grades for Savovich and he also had an incomplete grade changed to a “C”. While it is true the player has not been at OSU since 2002, this is proof that this type of activity has gone on for many years in colleges across the country. This story also shows that grade changing does not just occur in football programs. Savovich was a star basketball player at OSU.
The article , “10 Greatest Cheating Scandals in College History”, provides an excellent source for readers to see just how prominent cheating is in colleges and not just for athletic gains. If someone reads the article, they will see that small to large and prominent colleges have been accused of serious grade fixing scandals. Many students have been removed from school and teams and many teachers and professors have lost their jobs because of acts like this.Grade changing is a serious problem in high schools and colleges just to make a player eligible for a college sport. It also These people who deliberately cheat to make grades appear better are doing the student, college, and fans of sports a terrible injustice.
I do not just believe that colleges or high schools should be the only ones punished for changing grades. I also believe that the athletes who know that grades are changed are just as guilty as the administrators who change the grades. Students know that if they make an “F” in a class that they are not eligible to play. These students are frauds, just like those who fix the grades. These students should be punished as well. The NCAA is beginning to suspend these players and they should continue to let the players know that they have to keep grades up in order to participate in college sports. Failure is not acceptable and these athletes should not be allowed to put their education on the back burner.
Many students work very hard to honestly make good grades and be eligible to play college sports. Also, many teachers and professors struggle with pressure from universities to make players eligible. These hard workers are being cheated by those who do not follow the rules. If the NCAA does not impose harsh, immediate punishments on the fraudulent athletes and those teachers who deliberately change failing grades, they will have a monster on their hands.
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ReplyDeleteI strongly agree, the student athletes and the professors should be punished. Its not like the students who make the good grades have an advantage over the one who don't. All it takes is a little study time and dedication, that alone should give failures a piece of mind.
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