Should Pregnant College Athletes Lose Their Scholarships?

Should pregnant college athletes lose their scholarships? KCOH sports personality Ralph Cooper posed this very question to his listeners on his 7/21/2007 talk show. The Dad attempted to call in and share his opinion, but, my cell phone dropped the call before KCOH could pickup the line. Therefore, the Dad will sound off here.

First of all, I believe that the NCAA should not enact a rule at that level, I believe that the policy regarding this situation should be left to each institution. Whatever rule or policy that they enact should be clearly stated in the letter of intent signed by the student athlete. The athlete should know “exactly” what the school requires and what the penalty is for violation of the policy.

That being said, here is my take. When a student athlete signs a letter of intent to play athletics for an institution of higher learning, it is a two-way commitment. The school agrees to pay tuition, fees, cost of books, room and board, etc., the student agrees to maintain an acceptable GPA and commits to doing everything Iin her power to aid the success of the athletic program. This includes maintaining a high level of physical fitness and abstaining from conduct that will be detrimental to the team or the university (drug use, illegalities, public disorder, and unethical behavior, for example).

A school’s investment in the student athlete goes beyond academic costs and room and board. Many dollars are spent in the recruiting process. These expenses include travel, scouting services, background checks and other costs. This money is spent not only to find good student athletes, but to locate good citizens who will honor their commitment and bring honor to themselves and to the institution. Big time college athletics is a business and losing players and scholarships can affect the bottom line.

When an athlete ‘chooses’ to engage in behavior that is dangerous to themselves or that endangers their ability to contribute at a high level to their team, in essence, they are betraying the trust that the institution has placed in them. They are also endangering the future that they have worked so hard to be positioned for. Both parties are endangered in this case.

Athletes make these decisions, unfortunately, all to often. Sometimes, no one knows and they get away with it. But sometimes they get caught. When you get caught, there is a price to pay. Pregnancy is seriously “getting caught” and carries a serious penalty. A new person is now coming into the world and many decisions and adjustments are now inevitable.

What should the institution do? The player has violated (except for the case of rape) her commitment to her team and athletics program. There should be a “penalty” for this violation. Others should know that if they make the same choice and they “get caught” that there are consequences.

This is a difficult situation to deal with. Fairness, compassion, and the needs of the individual and the institution will be impacted by the schools policy.

Here is the policy that I would implement. I would allow the athlete to retain her scholarship for 1 additional semester following the current one. At that point, the scholarship would be revoked. After the birth of the child and a reasonable time for physical recovery, I would give her an opportunity to prove that she can still earn a spot on the team. If she is willing and puts in the work and earns her position, her scholarship would be renewed for the remainder of her athletic eligibility.

This solution can cost the school a scholarship position for up to two years depending on when the athlete has to withdraw from playing. The athletic program has to absorb this loss in addition to losses it normally has due to injury and other reasons.

The athlete loses a scholarship but can continue her education during her period of pregnancy (if health permits). The remainder of her education may be in jeopardy, but she has an option to earn an athletic scholarship again if her health permits and she chooses to make that sacrifice.

I believe this should apply whether he athlete is married or not. In either case, the athlete knows that pregnancy is not compatible with their commitment to the institution. Married athletes certainly face a higher risk as there are no 100% foolproof methods to prevent pregnancy. I assume many coaches shy away from married female athletes for this reason.

Is the student athlete left at the mercy of the athletic department at this point? Yes. If the coach does not want her back for some reason other than playing ability, she will not be offered that scholarship again. Unfortunately, this is a reality in college athletics today. The 1 year “renewable” scholarship gives schools some leverage when it comes to retaining athletes. In this case, the athlete placed herself in a dangerous situation scholarship wise. I have to believe that in most cases, if the student is otherwise a good citizen, a good student, a hard worker, and a good team player, she will get a legitimate shot at renewing the scholarship. Otherwise, she will tend to reap what has been sown.

There is a lesson to be learned here. If you have worked hard to obtain an opportunity that will benefit you for the rest of your life, you should work harder to keep what you have earned and not throw it away. There are many decisions that are made BEFORE the decision that leads to pregnancy. Other than rape, the sex act is a choice. The quality of our lives is generally a result of the choices that we make.

Wait! I can hear those who say that the student did not choose to get pregnant. That is technically correct. However, the student DOES choose to risk pregnancy by participating in the sex act. The person who plays Russian roulette does not choose to die, but he does choose to risk the possibility of death even though the odds are in his favor.

Our culture teaches us that premarital sex is normal and should be accepted when engaged by consenting adults. Very rarely are the negative personal, physical, and emotional consequences that can accompany this choice portrayed in the vast array of media and entertainment options available to our kids.

Parents, educate and prepare your children to the best of your ability BEFORE they leave home!

THE DAD

Here is what others are saying:

Reports prompt NCAA to review pregnant athletes policies – From ESPNU

Schools Should Hold Line on Pregnant Athletes

Should pregnant athletes lose their scholarships?

NCAA Dootle A-Zone

Pregnant athletes deal with loss of scholarships

Pregnant College Athletes and Athletic Scholarships

Jai Lucas: Opportunity and Hard Work Equals Success

The Dad highly recommends viewing the May 14, 2007 Web broadcast of “Nothing But Net” featuring a one hour interview with Jai Lucas and his High School coach, Bruce Glover. Jai signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Florida at a Bellaire High School press conference earlier in the day. This show was my personal favorite in the improving “Nothing But Net: (NBN) series. This broadcast may have been the most watched show to date as excited Florida fans and jilted coaches tuned in to see the newly signed McDonald’s All-American. (I do not know if NBN tracks viewers.)

Why did I like the show? Why do I recommend it? Because, Jai Lucas is an over-comer! I found myself rejoicing with this kid. Many people will say that with his Dad’s (former NBA star and coach John Lucas) influence, success was inevitable. But, there are hundreds of kids who have successful and influential parents who have failed in their pursuits. Most kids in Jai’s position will tell you that following big footsteps leads through a mine-field of potential pitfalls.

Jai was labeled too small and too short to ever become an All-State player at the 5A level, much less a McDonald’s All-American. During the summer following Jai’s 8th grade school year, Poppa John asked Bellaire High School BB coach Bruce Glover if Jai could make his varsity squad as a 9th grader. After watching the “too small”, “too short” kid play, the candid coach responded, “No, but perhaps he can make it s a 10th or 11th grader”. Apparently, Jai did not accept “No” as a final answer, he just went back to work in the gym. History tells us that Jai started at point guard for 4 ears at Bellaire. Did Poppa John’s influence help to kick in the door? Well, let’s just say that it did not hurt. Coach Glover says that once he gave Jai the ball to run the point, he never gave it back.

Opportunity may open a door for you, but you must be ‘prepared’ to take advantage of it. The pressure to perform in a situation like this is enormous. Just imagine what you will have to endure if you do not produce! Imagine the ire of parents whose budding young superstar will have to take a back seat to this ‘little’ kid or find another bus. Some Bellaire parents have done just that; the Dad has talked with them. Their situation may not have been ‘fair’, but it was very real.

Jai Lucas cannot change the fact that he is john Lucas’ son. He has to live with that reality. He has to deal with the expectations. He has to deal with the legacy. He has to deal with the haters. The one’s who do not think that it is fair that he is Jai Lucas. Jai has had to deal with on court taunting, unnecessary rough stuff as insecure players feel it necessary to ‘prove’ that they are better.

Opportunity is a wonderful thing, but it can seem like a curse if you are not prepared to walk into the doors that open for you. Jai prepared himself with a work ethic that few can maintain. Jai decided to use the pressure and taunting to motivate him instead of allowing it to make him angry and bitter. Jai continued a workout regime that includes three or four sessions per day beginning at 6 a.n. This schedule has evolved from a regime to a lifestyle for Jai. Most kids Jai’s age find it too difficult to maintain a schedule like this for more than a few weeks. When Coach Glover expressed doubt about Jai’s ability to make the varsity as a 9th grader, Jai improved his game so dramatically over the summer, that he reversed Coach Glover’s words. Most kids see rejection as a message to give up. Jai on the other hand has learned to turn doubt and hating into what Bobby Bouche (The Waterboy) would call “tackling fuel”. (By the way, if you have never seen ‘The Waterboy’, go out and rent it today!)

Jai has risen above his critics, doubters and haters to become a high school All-American and has signed a letter of intent to play with the two-time NCAA Champion Florida Gators. He has an opportunity to compete for the starting point guard position as a freshman. I like the fact that Jai is not gloating but rather thanking everyone who doubted that he could make it. This is truly a remarkable story about a remarkable kid. I just rejoice with Jai and look forward to watching him on TV next season.

If kids would take the time to consider Jai’s obstacles and not just look at his opportunities, they would learn some helpful secrets about life. The most important principles include:
o Hhard work produces results
o hating produces nothing
o Doubters are generally blind to the potential inside of you

Go Jai, you just sold a subscription to he ESPN NCAA Baskeball Game day (or whatever it is called). The Dad will be watching!

THE DAD

Here are some internet references to Jai’s signing:

Gators Sign Point Guard Jai Lucas

Jai Lucas chooses Fla., informs Patterson via text

Gators beat Kentucky for prized recruit

UK loses top prospect to Fla.