High school athletes need a protection program before going to college
Joe Rondone for Hookem Headlines
I hate wasted potential as much as the next man, so I believe everything should be done to ensure that an athlete does not become a “what if” story. But, unfortunately, the media is quick to produce a story highlighting why an athlete failed, such as the recent news that saw teen sensation Emoni Bates arrested on gun possession charges. I cannot help but feel bad for the kid because the media tends to get caught up in producing a story and forget that some of these athletes are still just kids.
This article advocates for a protection program for high school athletes going into college.
This program would be set up similarly to how a college prep class is for high school seniors, warning them of the dangers of being college athletes and preparing them for the next level. The class structure would entail weekly meetings and workshops from current and ex-college athletes and coaches. In addition, the high school offered program would be a compulsory requirement by the NCAA for kids to be enrolled as athletes in these college programs.
Imagine a high school athlete playing in a gym with thousands of people every week. The jump they’re about to make on the college level is something a lot are unprepared for. So you entrust an 18-year-old kid with one of the biggest decisions of their life and realize how important it is to surround these kids with a camp that will only benefit them.
When you go to these colleges, especially a high-major Division One school to play a sport, the amount of eyes on the athlete quadruples. The number of fans in the gym rises, and the media scrutiny becomes surplus. Add in the danger of getting hurt and potentially interfering with their futures. You can see why the spotlight sometimes takes away from the fun of the game and why these kids started playing in the first place. In a few months, they watch the sport they love become a business. This program would only serve to educate these kids and prepare them for what is ahead. It would be a free and mandatory course that comes with their enrollment.
