What those of us here already know . . .

[monstor344]

<p>

The idea of the “scholar-athlete” has been largely lost at the Ivy League. Too many students who would otherwise be admitted who are apt to become exceptionally talented artists, dancers, physicists, neuroscientists, and sociologists - and maybe even “walk-on” athletes - are losing their opportunities to the recruited athletes, many of whom will never even go out for teams once accepted. For too many, athletics has become a back-door ticket into some of the nation’s leading universities and colleges and it ought to be stopped.

• Lost by whom? Bitter parents of non-athlete Ivy rejects?
• Apt to become talented people? Or already talented people? In a ways, many of us are apt to become stellar athletes if we all work our butts off over the course of, say, 10 years. The Ivies take the kids who have already harnessed their talents as well as demonstrate a capacity for future growth.
• Many of whom will not go out for teams? The actions of a few hardly indicate the overwhelming dedication of thousands of athletes in the Ivy League.
• A back-door entry into the Ivy League? I will concede; long ago, before actually embarking on the quest to become a D1 athlete, I once saw it as such myself. I’m sure that anyone else who has subsequently gone through my or someone else’s path will tell you that reducing Ivy League athletics to such a viewpoint is utter ignorance.</p>