<p>I agree riverrunner. But one tends not to hear many people make comments like: “Oh, she only got in because she started a charity that raised $500,000 to fight AIDS” or “He only got in because he’s captain of the state champion debate team.” What hurts is that in many people’s view, athletics is a lower or less worthy endeavor than all other EC’s (the brain vs. brawn dichotomy). Thus when sports accomplishment serves as a hook for a student, folks consider it almost akin to cheating. Hence the “You took MY spot” comments. Also, the kid who excels in leadership or community service isn’t automatically assumed to be a lesser student, although s/he very well may be. But the athlete is judged as sub-par whether or not the facts substantiate that judgment or not. I have always admitted that sports definitely got my D in, but that is not at all the same thing as saying she wasn’t academically qualified to get in.</p>