 Silliman Fire http://www.nmhschool.org/about/images_history/SillimanFire.jpg |
High school athletics are a big deal to some. Too big a deal to others. Just take a look at the competing spectacles in the above image: high school football game vs. a burning school building at Northfield Mount Hermon School in 1965. Half the crowd continues to watch the action on the field; the other half appears to watch the burning building. Many successful professional athletes refer to sports as their way out: the dream of a career in sports motivated them to stay in school. Talented high school students make agreements with colleges to attend school tuition-free by playing a sport for that school. Many of those students dream about playing at the professional level one day.What are their chances? Have a look… While the data below reflects current statistics, a career as a professional athlete was elusive in the 1950s, too. Answer the following questions based on the table. Based on the data table below, what sport is played by the most male high school students? What percent will make it to the NCAA?
|
 |
In 2017, a talented football player like Cory would only have a 6.8% chance of playing at the college level. In the 1950s, only a few NFL teams were racially integrated making it less likely that Cory would have had options. Further, Cory would have faced discrimination even within his team and at his college. He would have been unfairly treated and should he have become injured, would have lost his opportunity for a free college degree. Nevertheless, football provided hope to Cory -- it was his dream. When we read about Cory’s and Troy’s conflicts, what do we make of the dream? How might we interpret the actions of those who dream of playing "under the lights" one day in a professional arena? Does a "chance" of making it to the big time validate all of the time spent, or should the slim statistical odds temper a high school athlete's dreams? And what about parents? One parent may promote an unrealistic future while another parent may try to protect the child by creating a barrier to a questionable future. |
 Discussion Board Assignment: High School AthleticsBefore you begin reading "Ex-Basketball Player," go to the discussion board and address the following questions. How important are school athletics to you? Do you think they prepare young people for life? Why or Why not? Provide examples. If you do not play a sport, think of examples from your own extra curricular activities. Respond to one (or two) students. Your response should answer all questions. Make sure that the response is in paragraph form. Check your grammar by writing it in Word first and then posting it to the Discussion Board. |
 |
 |