Recently the Secretary of Education made the statement that no NCAA college basketball team should be allowed to be part of “March Madness” if the team has less than a 50% graduation rate. As a former basketball coach and someone who is concerned with the system that prepares our young people to be future representatives of our country, our states, and our communities, I agree with the Secretary of Education.

We have become a culture which wants immediate success but without the necessary work needed to achieve realistic lifetime goals. I am Richard Odegaard, former basketball coach of twenty-eight years.

There will be those who would argue that whether or not a student-athlete (and I use that term very loosely) graduates or not, that he or she has been given a golden opportunity to experience the collegiate experience. Within the context of the collegiate athlete they want primarily underprivileged young people a chance to be provided with a college education. I agree totally with those that have this as their motive for our young people. However, a majority have the dream about reaching the next level of athletics and using their college athletic experience to become a professional athlete. However, the stark reality is that the overwhelming majority will never make it to the next level. I believe it is noble and a wonderful opportunity to provide a free education to students who otherwise would have difficulty paying for the experience, but with the same standard we would expect of any student.

If those who would argue this position spoke with facts not fiction, the facts prove out that over ninety-five percent of college athletes in football and basketball never have an opportunity to play even one year at the professional level. If we then are not preparing these young adults for their future by assisting them with obtaining a college degree, are we really doing a disservice to them if they don’t complete the task at hand.

There are over three hundred Division I basketball teams in the United States. Less than three percent of graduates from collegiate basketball will ever play professionally here or abroad, and that does not count the number of players who never finish their career in college.

 I believe major universities are guilty of holding out the “proverbial carrot” to talented high school seniors so that they promote their universities program while at the same time bringing millions of dollars to their athletic programs.

Is it a disservice to promote student-athletes and then not hold them to a standard which we expect every other college student to focus on? The student-athlete is afforded special advantages to ensure success in college, but only if they are willing to do their part. Additional tutoring, easier class lists, study halls, traveling tutors are all part of the advantages given to athletes to ensure their success and the success of the university supporting them.

I for one am in favor of holding a higher standard for all students, whether they are in elementary, junior and senior high schools or colleges. Recently, it was reported that eighty-two percent of all public high schools in America are not meeting the minimum success standards as established by the “No Child Left Behind Act.”

It’s about time that we increase our expectations and hold the student-athlete, no matter how talented to a higher standard to prepare them for life after athletics.

I admire the gifted athlete. They have been given God-given talent, had many people in their lives including parents, coaches, friends and schools assisting in their physical development. I would applaud the same kind of support for the student who is not as gifted athletically so that he/she can have the opportunity to obtain success for their lives.

We need ti strongly encourage universities to have higher student expectations for all students and provide every opportunity for the student-athlete to become a student, benefiting them and the university they attend.