Tuesday, May 18, 1999
Athletes' grades high, district says school says
Two-thirds earned B's or better
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
MIDDLETOWN — Two-thirds of all high school students in the Middletown/Monroe Schools who participated in winter athletics had a B average or better.
And that's something to celebrate, educators say.
“Oftentimes, our athletes are the first to be criticized. Quite often, we get individuals who say we put too much emphasis on athletics,” said Middletown/Monroe Superintendent Wayne Driscoll, who played high school and college football. “This just shows there is brain with brawn.”
The report was compiled by the district's athletic department.
Typically, student-athletes stay more focused on their academics, particularly during the season, so that they don't lose eligibility because of poor grades, Mr. Driscoll said. He asked that the grade-point average (GPA) of athletes be prepared as part of a review of the district's academic performance following the state release of report cards to every school district.
Middletown/Monroe's experience is a common one despite public opinion or perception that high schools put too much emphasis on or devote too much money to athletics, say those involved in sports.
“Studies show that students involved in athletics do better in school and have a higher graduation rate than those who don't,” said Deborah Moore, a commissioner with the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
There are approximately 250,000 students in Ohio's 1,680 junior or senior high schools who participate in sports, Ms. Moore said.
Fairfield Schools Athletic Director Bill Stewart agreed. “Without a doubt, participation keeps kids focused on academics. We monitor our students' grades every three weeks during season.”
In Fairfield, more than half of the students on varsity athletic teams made the Greater Miami Conference's all-academic team. Only students who are sophomores or older, have earned a varsity letter in their sport and have a 3.3 GPA are eligible, Mr. Stewart said. Seventy-four of Fairfield's 143 varsity players — about 52 percent — earned that designation for fall sports. For the winter sports season, 56 of 116 varsity players — about 48 percent — earned it.
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