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BY RENITA FENNICK EDITOR TIMES LEADER GREATER WILKES-BARRE
Thursday, February 03, 2000 Page: 2
Yesterday was a big day for top high school athletes throughout the Wyoming
Valley. Many of them signed letters of intent to colleges, making the big
decision about where to spend the next few years of their lives. For many of
them, it was probably the most difficult decision they’ve faced.
Today’s daily sports pages contain photos of the young athletes who, from a
sports perspective, made it big. They’re the ones, like Penn State-bound Paul
Jefferson of GAR, who will continue their athletic careers at Division I
schools. Big crowds, nationally televised games, Bowl games and all that
stuff. That’s exciting — for Paul, his family, teammates and friends — and
the rest of us.
If you read the entire account, you’ll also find that other athletes signed
letters yesterday — like GAR’s Isiah Walker who is headed for Lock Haven and
Meyers stars Dale Rapson and Kevin Doyle who committed to Lehigh and Penn,
respectively.
At first, I must admit, I was a bit annoyed that the Division I prospects
were getting all of the attention and the other young men and women who signed
at smaller schools would have to wait to see their photos in the paper.
If my son or daughter was being awarded a scholarship, or even a partial
one, to an institution with as high an academic standing as Penn or Lehigh,
I’d be elated. And, considering the price of admission at these prestigious
universities, I’d consider it quite a coup.
From the perspective of a sports writer, a Division I scholarship is the
big news.
From the viewpoint of a reader who treasures education, I would find it a
little insulting that a scholarship to Penn State would overshadow one to
Penn.
After all, what’s more important…playing football in front of the entire
nation or studying at one of the best schools in the nation?
That’s why this started off as an I Can’t Believe We Place More Emphasis on
Sports Than Academics column.
And, that would be coming from a person who loves sports, encourages her
children to play as many sports as possible and spends so much time making
sure that we run every score and set of standings that comes our way.
I love the sense of competition and camaraderie that comes with being a
member of a team and one of my favorite pastimes is watching my children play
football, basketball or softball. But, they both know that if the grades ever
start to drop because of sports, their mother is going to bench them.
But, the more you think about it, you have to realize that sports is the
main reason so many of these young men and women will be able to pursue their
dreams of attending a top-notch college.
Sure, many parents would have found a way to pay the tuition and there’s
always student loans, but, because of their hard work in the classroom and on
the field, more options are open to them. It’s a nice reward for their hard
work and dedication. It’s also a nice lesson in life: Do your best at every
task you undertake and always maintain a balance in all aspects of your life.
All of these athletes showed us that being a good student is just as important
as being a good athlete. So, Paul, when you step onto the field next year to
play for Joe Paterno, we’ll be glued to the television set and wishing you the
best. And, for Isiah, Dale, Kevin and the rest, you may not hear us, but the
hometown crowd is rooting for you.