Earn the right to participate

Date: 8/26/2011

Not too long ago, a student athlete was expected to pass all classes. According to a Chicopee School Committee at-large member, 25 percent of area schools require the same today.

But why not Chicopee, where a student-athlete only has to pass four of seven classes ... 57 percent, a less than passing grade in any classroom? At Chicopee High School and Chicopee Comprehensive High School students used to have to earn the right to participate by passing all classes.

Sports were and still are an extra-curricular activity defined as “not falling within the scope of a regular curriculum; specifically of or relating to officially or semiofficially approved and usually organized student activities (as athletics) connected with school and usually carrying no academic credit (extracurricular sports).” The key words here: “No academic credit!”

The Chicopee School Committee is not doing any athlete a favor by allowing them to participate in a sport without having to pass all classes. No excuses – no free passes – nothing less than a passing grade in every class. A student should still have to earn the right to participate.

And later in life, the student will thank the school committee.

Jim Raschilla

Chicopee