It seems to be a logical progression toward earning a degree: take what you know you’re good at, study it, work at it and turn it into a career.
Most of the writing staff at The Daily Reveille – myself included – realized at some point that they could write well, enjoyed story telling and, with a little bit of work, could turn it into something they were proud to call their profession.
There’s even a collection of crazies on campus that honestly considers physics and math to be enthralling. Engineering majors, I respect and fear you.
So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a large percentage of LSU’s student-athletes are pursuing a major in sports administration (see pg. 1). Some obviously athletically-inclined folks would like to work in athletics for the remainder of their days.
Seems to me like everything’s in line.
Athletically-minded youths see a degree titled sports administration, look into it and decide to pursue it.
It’s as simple as that. LSU students who happen to be on an LSU roster have the right to tackle any curriculum that LSU offers – it just so happens that many of them have similar tastes.
The only place where a problem could arise is if the degree program were created specifically for athletes as a way to ease their academic burden while they were representing LSU on the field.
But that’s not the case. They might not need to take an advanced calculus course to get their degree, but hey, neither did I. My classes are difficult enough.
If that is their decided path, the onus is on them to use their degree to build a career when they’ve completed the required course work.
Some of the uniquely gifted athletes aren’t going to have to worry about what degree they earn or work toward in school. Professional sports teams will pay them huge sums of money to make sure they don’t need to worry about anything other than sacking the quarterback.
I guess it now makes sense that there are several football players in my economics class.
But they still have to study something. It might as well be something they enjoy.
Before rushing to judge athletes who are taking the “easy” route through college, first ask yourself if you’ve done the coursework that correlates with their majors – because you can’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it.
Then ask yourself if you’ve had anyone other than a professor monitor your attendance in the classroom – ask Ron Brooks about that $50 he had to pay for missing class.
Then ask yourself if you’ve put in a couple of mandatory grueling hours in the weight room or practice field – and no, I’m not talking about curls with a 10-pound dumbbell.
What about a long weekend bus trip to Gainesville, Fla.? I’m not talking about the one where the empties spill from the bus door at every gas stop.
LSU’s athletes don’t need the excuses. They get their fair share of benefits, including elevated status among the student body and a dazzling collection of swag, but the student-athlete route is far from easy.
Their path requires focus, determination and hard work. As long as they get the same academic treatment as every other student on campus, they shouldn’t be hung out to dry because of their chosen major.
 
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Contact Luke Johnson at [email protected]