"State boards of education have a moral obligation to prevent the exploitation of high school athletes. Many of the problems that have plagued college athletics---shoe agents, mercenary coaches, dubious recruiting, and extravagant gifts---are now encroaching upon the high school level. It sends a disturbing message to students and the public about the priorities of our schools," said Brenda Welburn, NASBE Executive Director.

Despite the pervasiveness of high school athletics, there is remarkably little research on the interplay of sports and academic achievement, nor has there been much scrutiny of athletic activities by state education officials who have traditionally deferred to the supervision of private state athletic federations and local educators.

"Sport has become such an integral part of schools that state boards of education must be more proactively involved to ensure that sports programs, like all other extracurricular activities, complement student learning and do not compromise the ideals of public education," said Ed Root, the Commission Chairman and President of the Maryland State Board of Education.

Robert Lazard, NASBE President, said, "high school athletics can have a profound influence on our youth, our schools, and our communities. But if sports are to continue to benefit students, states have a critical role to play in ensuring the primacy of academics, protecting the integrity of the competition, and guaranteeing the inclusion of all students who wish to participate."

The Commission confronted the sometimes conflicting, and often controversial, sets of academic eligibility rules that critics have deemed too low, too varied, and too inconsistently applied. The Commission's recommendation to states is that "athletic eligibility should be dependent on the student's progress towards the successful completion of high school education as defined by the state."

Beyond the primacy of academics and eligibility determinations, the Commission report includes state policy recommendations on hot button topics such as full and equitable student participation, the relationship of high school athletics to private sports leagues, school-supervised testing for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, the professional qualifications of coaches, and equitable financing of programs across districts.

While affirming that athletics are part of the high school experience, it was the Commission's fundamental position that academic achievement takes precedence over extracurricular activities, and that such activities are a privilege that must be earned, not a right that is conferred. The Commission was most emphatic in calling for a more robust state role in promoting equity and equitable participation so that all students who earn the privilege to participate are able to do so, including charter and home-schooled students.


"In the field of interscholastic athletics, academics must always be first and foremost. When the game ends and the glory fades, educated students will be the ultimate winners. It is the absolute least we can do as educators, as responsible adults, and as sports enthusiasts who have had the pleasure of watching these student-athletes compete," said Welburn.

The Commission's report, Athletics and Achievement: The Report of the NASBE Commission on High School Athletics in an Era of Reform, is available by calling (800) 220-5183.

Olympic Committee Review

Check out the rest of our website for more information about the college recruiting process and how we can help you get recruited.

If you want to know more about our service or have any questions then please feel free to contact us.

PLEASE CLICK BELOW FOR MORE DETAILED SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE COLLEGE SPORT