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I am sharing a series of seven thoughts from the Making Caring Common (MCC) report, “Turning the Tide II” that addresses character in college admissions. This is specifically for parents. As a recap here are the first five points: [1] Keep the focus on your teen. [2] Follow your ethical GPS. [3] Use the admissions process as an opportunity for ethical education. [4] Be authentic. [5] Encourage your teen to contribute to others in meaningful ways. [6] Advocate for elevating ethical character and reducing achievement related distress. Before you read any further, answer the following: who is responsible for raising ethical students? Here are three possible responses. 🤷🏿♀️Why do think parents are responsible? The bible says that “children are a gift from the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). As parents, we are instructed to discipline our children (Proverbs 29:17), “impress” God’s commandments on them (Deuteronomy 6:6-7), train them up because they don’t know the way to go (Proverbs 22:6), and not provoke them to anger (Ephesians 6:4). 🤷🏼♂️Why do you think the local education system is responsible? We know that Moses was “educated in all the learning of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22). Remember the response of a certain teenager when Superintendent Asphenaz was directed by his boss to teach the young Israelites “the language and literature of the Babylonians” for three years (Daniel 1:3-5)? Without overlooking Christians who are called to serve God through the public education system, this is one reason why parents are deciding to homeschool their children. 🏫What about the community or the church? Theodore Roosevelt said, “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.” WOW! If parents are ultimately responsible for influencing the classroom and community to reinforce those values, what could they do? 👉🏼Parents could enroll their children in a character-driven charter school or classical Christian private school. 👉🏼Parents could advocate and support character-based education by getting involved in the PTA/PTO, All Pro Dads, and other mentorship programs in the local school district. 👉🏼Parents could encourage educators to emphasize “collaboration rather than competition among students.” This also includes how college information is shared with students. Equal access to college means that we are sharing and exposing all students to the types of colleges and the pathways to graduation to reduce college planning stress. 👉🏼Parents could question how colleges admit students. While academic entrance exams are the norm, they should ask if they are admitting students that have a “concern for others and the common good.” The authors write that “parents need to step up—respectfully but firmly—to advance a very different vision of high schools and the college admissions process. They can press for prioritizing not just academic achievement but ethical character, take a zero-tolerance stance on achievement-related distress, and advocate for greater equity and fairness.” The MCC Team offers four action points for parents: 1. Encourage your child to take action against problems that affect them, such as cyberbullying or an unsafe street corner. 2. Provide opportunities for your child to join causes that interest them. 3. Encourage your child not just to “do for” others but to "do with" others, working with diverse groups of students to respond to community problems. 4. Think out loud with your child. For example, start a conversation about ethical dilemmas that arise on TV shows.  Photo: Olin Hall at Whitman College (Walla Walla, WA) (via Internet)
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Parents of Sophomores and Juniors: 💰Along with earning merit aid and being awarded scholarships to pay for college, there are two ways to apply for college financial aid: the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service Profile). There are about 400 colleges, universities, and scholarship programs that require families to complete the CSS Profile to award institutional aid. Knowing what to expect will help you avoid scary surprises if your student is interested in Baylor, Brown, Carnegie Mellon, Duke, Hillsdale College, Patrick Henry College, Michigan, Notre Dame, or hundreds of others. 😨Don’t be scared; be prepared! 📌Firstly, know that the CSS Profile is a more detailed look at your family’s finances. Among the larger differences between the FAFSA and CSS Profile are how they treat your assets (ex. FAFSA ignores home equity), your income (ex. CSS expects students to contribute up to $6,000 per year), and your family (ex. FAFSA considers income and assets of custodial/non-custodial parents/stepparents). 😨Don’t be scared; be prepared! 📌Secondly, know that you will need a lot of your financial documents and information. These include your tax returns, W-2 forms, untaxed income and benefits, assets, and bank statements (cash on hand). A complete list will be given after you register. 😨Don’t be scared; be prepared! 📌Finally, know that the CSS Profile is not free like the FAFSA. Along with the college application fees, the College Board charges an initial $25 registration fee with one free school report. Beyond that, you will be charged $16 for each additional report required. Visit https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org for more information. All of this to say… 🏫You and your college-bound teenager need to start considering potential colleges today. For a sophomore and junior, an ideal list would have 4-10 options. For the colleges that require the CSS Profile, you can plan ahead and be prepared.  Visit the financial aid office for resources and scholarships to fund your education.  Photo: Joel Muniz (Unsplash) I am sharing a series of seven thoughts from the Making Caring Common (MCC) report, “Turning the Tide II” that addresses character in college admissions. This is specifically for parents. If you have any questions for Glenn Manning, Senior Project Manager for MCC, let me know and I’ll ask!
As a recap here are the first four points: [1] Keep the focus on your teen. “In an effort to give their kids everything, these parents often end up robbing them of what counts.” [2] Follow your ethical GPS. “The college admissions process often tests both parents’ and teens’ ethical character.” [3] Use the admissions process as an opportunity for ethical education. Students may “struggle with how much they can embellish their applications and ‘play the game’ without compromising their own authenticity and integrity.” [4] Be authentic. “Many parents fail to have authentic, honest conversations with their teens during the college admissions process and send conflicting messages.” [5] Encourage your teen to contribute to others in meaningful ways. Serve. Volunteer. Donate. Charity. Handout. Gift. Offering. Community Service. There are many ways to contribute and guide our teenagers to impact others. Remind them that they were “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). The authors write that “what makes service valuable is not whether it involves a trip to a new country or launching a new project. It's also not what matters to admissions deans.” Does your student’s contribution bring value to others? No, this not the same as the number five value meal at your favorite drive-thru. “What makes service meaningful and what matters to the deans is whether service is chosen based on authentic interest and is immersive, meaningful, and sustained.” Paul exhorted the Christians in Ephesus to “serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people” (Ephesians 6:7). Community service is not just for college admissions. "You should do good to everyone. Be rich in good deeds" (1 Timothy 6:18). Students who can identify their unique purpose can participate in ways that align with their selected career path. Having internships, volunteer work, and even part-time work that supports their intended major makes it easier for college admissions officials to accept those students. Allowing them to feed the homeless, clean a hiking trail, play dominos with the elderly, read to children, or something else in your community while in middle school, gives them the opportunity to find one or two ways to continue this throughout high school. Exotic experiences, mission trip vacations, or one-time service projects do not build character. They build images for social media posts. Do not try to one up another student’s project so your admission essay has extra flair. Use your spiritual gifts and special skills to serve others. Peter wrote, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). Consider the Michigan junior who organized monthly birthday parties for foster youth. As the leader, he connected with people to provide presents, cake or cupcakes, and the location. He was adding value to the lives of these students. He used his giftedness and skills. He developed a consistent, quality program. The MCC team offers four conversations parents can have with their teenager:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). What are some meaningful ways your teenager is contributing to your community? I am sharing a series of seven thoughts from the Making Caring Common (MCC) report, “Turning the Tide II” that addresses character in college admissions. This is specifically for parents. If you have any questions for Glenn Manning, Senior Project Manager for MCC, let me know and I’ll ask! [1] Keep the focus on your teen. “In an effort to give their kids everything, these parents often end up robbing them of what counts.” [2] Follow your ethical GPS. “The college admissions process often tests both parents’ and teens’ ethical character.” [3] Use the admissions process as an opportunity for ethical education. Students may “struggle with how much they can embellish their applications and ‘play the game’ without compromising their own authenticity and integrity.” [4] Be authentic. When you are craving chicken tinga enchiladas with sour cream sauce in Texas, you have to decide between Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food. There are a handful of differences. Tex-Mex uses sweet corn, authentic Mexican uses whole cobs. Tex-Mex uses yellow cheese, authentic Mexican uses white cheese. Tex-Mex uses cumin in spicy dishes, authentic Mexican uses epazote and coriander, among others. Being authentic means you are being genuine. There is no doubt about the accuracy of your claims. The Bible teaches us to "be honest and speak the truth" (Proverbs 22:21). Even as students are applying to colleges without having to submit test scores, a few are adding ingredients to their applications that are not authentic. It is also called exaggeration. We must remember that “whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9). It is challenging for students to be real and authentic in a social media world. It is up to us as parents to have “authentic, honest conversations with [our] teens during the college admissions process.” However, we send mixed messages when we want them to be happy or attend the best college they can when we’ve already made a decision based on our budget. The Making Caring Common authors share that parents should try to “understand the many school and community factors that may be influencing their teen’s college considerations so that they can talk to their teens in ways that acknowledge these realities.” These are tough conversations. Here are two tips. [1] During your family walk tonight or around dessert, ask your teen if you are sending mixed messages. Then find out what they are feeling about the messages at school and from colleges. [2] Discuss your feelings. College planning is EMOTIONAL! Don’t let yours get in the way of theirs. Since they have to own the decision, they need to be confident. Simon Sinek said, “Authenticity is when you say and do the things you actually believe.” Together, let’s work on our authenticity.   Photo: Louisiana State University (Pre-Quarantine Era) I am sharing a series of seven thoughts from the Making Caring Common report, “Turning the Tide II” that addresses character in college admissions. This is specifically for parents.
As a recap, here are the first two lessons: [1] Keep the focus on your teen. “In an effort to give their kids everything, these parents often end up robbing them of what counts.” [2] Follow your ethical GPS. “The college admissions process often tests both parents’ and teens’ ethical character.” [3] Use the admissions process as an opportunity for ethical education. The college admissions process is the same for everyone. The college admissions process is different for everyone. Unfortunately, both statements are true. When applying for college, students are made aware that “there are vast differences in access to resources in the admissions process, and that college is unaffordable for staggering numbers of families.” The Turning the Tide II authors point out that this where students may “struggle with how much they can embellish their applications and ‘play the game’ without compromising their own authenticity and integrity.” One of the challenges students face is standardized testing. As FairTest.org summarizes in a report, “young people of color, particularly those from low-income families have suffered the most.” Students from low-income families have lower scores because they lack the support and/or resources to prepare for the tests. Boys are affected more than girls. Students of color score lower on the admissions tests. This prevents them from being considered for merit aid scholarships (which rely on test scores more than GPA). This has not always been the case. “Standardized” tests were created to make the college admissions process fair for all students. Enter the coronavirus. Since the testing sites are not able to host students or are booked because of local social distancing regulations, most colleges (public and private) decided to be test-optional for 1-3 years. Advantage: everyone! And many of those same schools are test-optional for merit aid scholarships as well. This means the high school GPA has more weight on admissions and scholarship decisions. We are hoping this testing reprieve will challenge higher education to create a better, equitable college admissions process. Parents, we have an awesome opportunity to help our teenager(s) navigate the ethics of education. The Making Caring Common team recommends that we "beware of mixed messages" and "work through [our] irrational feelings." Our teenagers need to be kind, be fair, be true to themselves, remain above reproach, and be prepared to support all claims made on their essays, tests, extracurriculars, and college applications. What are we doing to help them develop character that lasts?  Photo: Hendrik Morkel via Unsplash I’m sharing a series of seven thoughts from the Making Caring Common report, “Turning the Tide II” that addresses character in college admissions. This is specifically for parents.
[1] Keep the focus on your teen. “In an effort to give their kids everything, these parents often end up robbing them of what counts.” [2] Follow your ethical GPS. My father-in-law, a career navigator with the Air Force, learned how to navigate his plane using the stars. The stars! When earning the orienteering merit badge in the Boy Scouts, I learned how to read a map using a compass. Today, we ask our smartphone to pull up a map app. And if we have enough battery power and activate the location feature, our phone uses GPS satellites, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks to estimate our location. Without using the stars, a compass, or GPS, how are you navigating your teenager(s) through the college admissions process? You shouldn't have to estimate where your ethics are located. Unfortunately, choosing a college can lead parents and teenagers to ignore their moral compass. Sometimes, that is what pressure produces. “The college admissions process often tests both parents’ and teens’ ethical character.” That statement was written before the 2019 Varsity Blues Scandal – where high profile personalities had been falsifying applications and paying to get in “back door” of certain colleges. They drifted from true north. (Read more about Desperate College Admissions here.) The participants tarnished their name. We understand that “a good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1) but we don’t always follow through. As you know, inflating resumes and including activities or awards to give our “child an edge in admissions” is unethical and undermines the role and goal of parenting. We need to remain consistent with our ethics and integrity. And we should always be checking what our children are reflecting. Proverbs 20:7 reads that “a righteous man who walks in his integrity—how blessed are his sons after him.” Unfortunately, the easiest way parents can interfere is through the essay process. Writing essays changes the voice from theirs to yours. Fortunately, essay readers know when the voice of an essay does not match the voice of the students’ application and high school grades. They know when a parent or professional essay writer has written the essay. And some use software programs to identify plagiarism. The authors write that parents should be willing to ask themselves “hard, fundamental questions about who [they] want to be and what [they] want to model for [their] children.” Here are five recommendations from the Making Common Caring Team: 1. Remember your priorities. Consider at every stage of the process whether getting into a particular college is really more important than compromising your teen’s or your own integrity. 2. Ask for feedback. Talk to someone you really respect and trust to find out if you are too involved in your teen’s college application process. 3. Work through ethical dilemmas together. Ask your teen if they think cheating or misrepresenting themselves in a college application is okay. How will you respond when the truth comes out and are potential kicked out of college? 4. Set a positive example. Talk to teens about why authenticity and honesty are critical. 5. Find out what motivates your teen. Explore with teens why they might feel pressured to cheat or misrepresent themselves—do they feel ashamed or fear shaming you?—and think through with them what role you might play in reducing that pressure. So parents, are we willing to compromise our integrity for our kids admission into college? We cannot afford what that would cost.  Photo: □□ Janko Ferlič (Unsplash) Last week I wrote about why character counts because the coronavirus has prompted a change in how applications are being considered.
In a recent Zoom meeting, Temple University shared that they are thinking about how they can extract characteristics like “citizenship, social justice, or tenacity” and admit students that exhibit those traits. Swarthmore College has been looking for students with “intellectual curiosity, creativity, generosity and problem-solving skills.” For years, they’ve struggled with how to measure those traits in an application. As we move forward into the new admissions cycle, it may be easier for a college to deny admissions if they see evidence that is contrary to the character they desire in their students. More on that later. On August 24 it was reported that over 100 admitted freshmen had their admissions rescinded from Northeastern University (Boston) because they posted their intent to gather on campus against NU’s coronavirus guidelines. Colleges are serious! Over the next few weeks, I’m sharing a series of seven thoughts from the Making Caring Common report, “Turning the Tide II,” that addresses character in college admissions. This is specifically for parents. [1] Keep the focus on your teen. The “college admissions process is a key rite of passage in adolescence and can be a wonderful opportunity for parents to get to know their teen in a deeper way. It’s also an important opportunity for parents to model the empathy in their relationship with their teen that is key to their teen’s relationships.” We love our teenager(s) and want the best for them. As I am learning as a newly adoptive father of a sixteen-year-old, we want to fight for them. In my experience as a youth pastor and educational consultant, I’ve observed that too often, parents want the best for their teenagers based on what THEY perceive is the best. They adjust the focus on opportunities THEY missed out on when they were a teenager. “In an effort to give their kids everything, these parents often end up robbing them of what counts.” Since you are not going to be in the classroom or on the campus, use your past to teach and lead the discussion. Remembering that your children are uniquely made (Psalm 139:13-14), help them discover what problems they want to solve, and which career and college will prepare them for that task. The focus should be on your teenager. Preparing your teenager to make long-term decisions a part of the college decision process. Your involvement is important to them. Really, it is. Sometimes parents, we just need to “pause and listen.” Here are four recommendations from the Making Caring Common team: 1. Take time to listen. Ask your teens how involved you want them to be in their college planning process. 2. Check your blind spots. Find out "where your own and your child's views about college" differ and how to work through those conflicts. 3. Be alert to red flags. If you are asking all the questions, your college-bound teenager won't take ownership of this process. 4. Reflect on your assumptions about "good" colleges. What adjustments do you need to make so your college-bound “baby” takes personal responsibility for their career and college decisions?  So, your fourth grader is interested in climbing trees, Minecraft, macaroni and cheese, dressing up like Princess Mulan, and college? How exciting!
Play College One elementary school student just celebrated birthday number ten! She enjoys singing, playing the piano, drawing, and Skittles. She has already “committed” to attend Texas Southern University. That’s right! One of her young classmates was talking about college, declared where and what she was going to study, and all the girls followed suit. I told her mom not to discourage the decision, because she can build on that desire later. Let them “play college.” If you think about it, didn’t we all have career dreams or play career dress-up? I wanted to be a fireman, policeman, teacher, architect, astronaut, and a preacher. I soon learned that I was not fond of heights, so flying to space was no longer an option. Even though some states require that every grade explore careers and college options, nurturing your young child to prepare for college is actually a brilliant idea! My wife and I had lunch with mom of three children ages 12, 9 and 4. After the meal, the kids were playing with cars, reading, wrestling, and crying. Once mom learned that I was an educational consultant in the world of college planning, she began asking a lot of questions. She shared that in her circle of influence, the parents were already discussing the possibility of their children going to college. In one conversation, we discussed what it would take to major in astronomy because her middle child is interested in flying (her dad is an airline pilot), telescopes, and space. I mentioned attending space camps, playing with telescopes, and having fun. I also emphasized math, science, and learning a second language. Kids love connecting the dots to discover the image on the paper. As parents and educators, we need to help them connect the dots from careers to majors to higher education to their higher calling. Consider how the National Association for College Admission Counseling is helping build a career superhighway. They have a guide called “College Awareness and Planning: Elementary School.” I agree that “introducing students to career and college exploration in elementary school will provide them the opportunity to establish a foundation for more in-depth conversations and exploration about their futures in later years.” School counselors should help students identify personal interests, link those interests to possible careers, and encouraging students to express their initial thoughts about college. They should also prompt students to list some characteristics they might look for in a college, understand basic college-related terms, and incorporate aids that match their preferred learning styles. Caralee Adams wrote that, “by creating a college-going culture in elementary school, the hope is that students will aspire to a lifelong path toward higher education and deeper learning that ends with a degree.” While higher education is not every student’s dream, creating an environment in the classroom and at home establishes a mindset that all things are possible. Prepare for College Here are four simple ways to help your children prepare for college. Learn. Students need to do their best in school. Encourage them to try new things and work through problems. Let your children explore the world of ideas, art, creativity, science, and diversity. Visit children’s museums, visit college campuses, invite college students to the elementary school, and have a career dress-up day. There is no replacement for a great education. And encourage your kids to have fun playing games as they learn about jobs. Read. Read. A. Book. One that has paper, a cover, a spine, and the potential for paper cuts. While technology is wonderful, limit their screen time. Another tip is to encourage your child to read a lot. One more tip is to read aloud to your child so they develop an interest in reading, careers, and hearing the voices that you give the book characters. Play. After they read, encourage them to play inside and outside. They need to explore, be creative, learn to fall, learn to fail, communicate, and enjoy being a kid. Challenge them to build a “sand-campus” – a college university in the sand (I did this with adults!). Save. One of the MOST IMPORTANT decisions you can make as a parent is to include higher education in your annual budget. Yes, it will be hard. But it is worth it. Just know that the four-year cost of attendance for a highly selective private college bachelor’s degree program is a quarter of a million dollars ($250,000). There are many ways to reduce that by 50%-75%, but not if you wait until the second semester of their sophomore year. The Student Aid Checklist for Elementary School gives three steps you can take now:
Elementary school is not too early to think about what you want to be when you grow up. Since learning, reading, playing, and saving are important for your elementary school children, it is more important if you have a student in high school. Contact me when you are ready to start planning for college!  The University of Houston is one of the most diverse MSIs in the nation. Autumn A. Arnett (Education Dive) points out some changes to the Department of Education (DOE) data that I believe could reshape the success rates (and those treasured rankings) in higher education.
She writes that “many institutions hide poor outcomes for lower income students by enrolling fewer of these students and lumping their graduation and retention data in with that of more affluent students, who are naturally better prepared to succeed on campus. However, with more students coming from lower income backgrounds than ever before, shedding light on how well schools are or aren't serving them could be a critical first step to actually ensuring their success, which is critical to meeting national security and workforce demands.” Reporting this new data could elevate Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) as affordable examples of college success. In 2014-2015, there were around 700 MSIs (14% of all colleges) that enrolled 4.8 million students (28% of all undergrads). Arnett continues, “Though often the lowest resourced institutions and traditionally raked over the coals for their often dismal graduation rates, data has shown that when controlled for the same population — that is largely Pell grant recipients and students of color — these institutions actually do a better job of retaining and graduating these students. And they're doing it with less money, which could serve as a lesson for the industry as a whole as it continues to struggle with declining public support against the reality that these students are more expensive to educate.” Reporting this new data could slow the annual 4.0-4.5% rise in college tuition. Some students are paying a quarter of a million dollars to earn a four-year bachelor’s of science in biology. This makes sense when you equate the quality higher education with higher costs. As students (and their parents) compare the cost with the outcomes, they will begin to attend more affordable schools. In the long run, this may help drive costs down. Reporting this new data could help prospective college freshman understand that “where you go is not who you’ll be” as Frank Bruni shared. This is echoed in the Gallup-Purdue University survey that shows the learning and living experiences in college impacted their future more than the type of institution they attended. The data will allow parents to consider all outcomes (full-time, part-time, transfer, Pell grant recipients…) to inform their decisions. Generation Z students understand the need for higher education. And they do not want to pay for what they don't need. They are not as concerned with athletic programs and dorm life and are more concerned about earning a degree. In Pulling Back the Curtain (ACE and CPRS), they show that minority serving institutions have better than average outcomes. Consider the completion rate (students who completed their degree at their starting institution within 6 years) for public full time students. (NOTE: MSIs have received federal recognition between 1965 and 2008.)
The report rightly states that their "analysis cannot directly speak to the quality of education offered by these institutions (PBTC, p8)" but it looks like these MSIs are producing college graduates! That is one HUGE step in the right direction. Eventually, this new data will improve conversations with college-bound students and their parents and help them make better decisions about continuing their education.  Front Oval at the University of Louisville That's right. College athletics. Actually, it's when a few “insiders” secure deals to encourage, no, to ensure that those athletes commit to play a sport in the college the insider selects. For them, it's not about fit; it's about finances.
Speaking of insiders, [James] “Gatto is … accused of helping funnel approximately $100,000 to the family of an "All-American high school basketball player" to secure the prospect's commitment to a school which Adidas sponsors. According to court documents reviewed by CBS Sports Insider Gary Parrish, the prospect committed in June. And the only All-American high school basketball player who committed to a school Adidas sponsors in June is Brian Bowen, a five-star prospect who is now enrolled at Louisville.” (CBSSports) Individuals like Mr. Gatto have forgotten why collegiate-level sports are the best. They are still pure. These students are future Olympians. They are highly competitive. They’re having fun. The Goal of Postsecondary Education For some, athletes are greater than academics. More than 480,000 of the 8,000,000 high school athletes play in college. So, if recruiting a top athlete might translate into more revenue, there are a few adults who would capitalize on this through sponsorships and television deals. This is what make it tough for people like me. First of all, I enjoy collegiate sports. I can’t wait for March Madness or the College World Series. My wife and I schedule our fall Saturday’s around college football. She also enjoys watching college gymnastics and cheerleading. When athletics becomes the priority, it makes it difficult for school counselors, college planners, and college admissions officers to place prospective students in the right academic setting. While many students want to get their college degree while playing their favorite sport, it does put pressure on those teenagers who are trying to balance academics (what is necessary) with athletics (what is challenging and fun). The mission statements of colleges focus on improving the region and world with education, innovation, health care and more. None of them talk about sports. The goal of higher education is, well, education, Fortunately, "the likelihood of an NCAA athlete receiving a college degree is greater (than non-athletes); graduation success rates are 86% in Division 1, 71% in Division II, and 86% in Division III" (NCAA). Unfortunately, college sports has become a form of idolatry for some. David Wharton of the Los Angeles Times reported on why Reggie Bush, the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, gave his trophy back. “Investigators ultimately concluded that he had taken improper benefits from the San Diego sports marketers who hoped to represent him after he turned professional. Bush's family had lived without paying rent in a home owned by one of the marketers.” Reggie’s athleticism was evident since high school. It had nothing to do with what was going on behind the scenes, but it did violate NCAA rules. Nothing Has Changed in Decades Sports scandals are nothing new. Richard Vedder and Matt Denhart (Wall Street Journal) “bemoaned the massive financial exploitation of super good college athletes” in 2009. Taylor Branch, wrote “The Shame of College Sports” in 2011 and in 2012, David Ridpath wrote Tainted Glory detailing athletic corruption, particularly during his service at Marshall University. Vedder writes, “In short, for many years numerous commentators have outlined horrendous problems with college sports: cheating, exploitation of athletes, the debasing of academic values, the potential long run health effects of high contact sports, and so on. The sex-based scandals at Penn State shocked the nation, as did the revelations of “phantom courses” for athletes at North Carolina.” Protect Your Children Parents of potential collegiate athletes need to protect their students and help them make wise decisions about their future. You can’t allow yourself to get “caught up” in the accolades being doled out so you can focus on what is important – higher education. My wife’s cousin was a high school, college, and club team pitcher who was also in a strikeout battle during the U.S. Semifinal game during the 2002 Little League World Series. There were three major Division 1 baseball programs interested in his arm. So were a few dozen major league teams who wanted to draft him in 2008. When deciding which university to attend, he ultimately selected the college because of the education he would receive. Since he hurt his arm in college, his full-tuition scholarship was redistributed to the next freshman phenom pitcher. While he’s no longer playing baseball, his parents helped him make good decisions (and had good guidance) that helped him stay grounded. Build a Solid Foundation The Bible says the wise build their "foundation on the rock" (Matthew 7:25). Trusting in and applying the Word of God will solidify the building. David Roach, Baptist Press News, reported on the need for a God-focused perspective in athletics. David Conrady, boys basketball coach at Prestonwood Christian Academy (TX) shared with his team that "it all starts with your foundation of what you believe in. Hopefully, that starts with a relationship with Jesus Christ.... Then we can use Him and His standards as our barometer." Conrady, who has coached at the college level, said the emphasis on money and winning at all costs among some college programs tempts coaches and athletes to commit the types of ethical and legal violations alleged by the federal investigators. I personally hate that a few foolish people are using talented high school athletes as a pawn in their personal game of life, and "building their foundation on sand" (Matthew 7:26). While these are not the life lessons we want our students to learn, it is good that those involved in the scandals are being brought to justice. David Conrady sums this up with a great life lesson, “there's never a right way to do a wrong thing." |
AuthorCombining my youth ministry and educational consulting experience, I guide students to connect higher education with God's calling. 
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