I also cannot agree on the need to raise scholarship limits, but
possibly for slightly different reasons.  Ron raised a good point on
why the athletes receive the scholarships they do - they're not based
on academics, in many cases.  This should not mean that an athlete
should be admitted and given an athletic scholarship, however, if
he/she cannot do the coursework that would be required at the
institution.  And there are measures in place to make sure that
athletes meet the minimum academic standards (often stricter than
those for non-athletes), else they can lose their scholarships.
 
But also remember that many "normal" students receive scholarships to
college for reasons other than academics.  They still have to qualify
for admittance to the school, but their abilities in other areas allow
them to receive scholarships (some internal, some external) based on
an important aspect of college that cannot be ignored.  That's the
ability to contribute to the college community, and it doesn't always
mean academically.  Just as a student with below average grades might
qualify for aid based on ability to play a musical instrument, or do
volunteer work in the community, an athlete is able to use his/her
abilities to bring a school national recognition in a sport, which
helps the school attract other students.  And the way a college
community rallies around athletic teams to raise school spirit cannot
be denied, either.
 
There's also the undeniable fact that many students who arrive at
college with below average grades, go on to improve dramatically and
make something of themselves.  Often they were able to afford school
because of aid they received for non-academic reasons.  In the end, I
tend to think that just as happens with "normal" students, those who
can perform will last it out, while those who cannot will go
elsewhere.  The same is true of athletes.
---                                                                 ---
Mike Machnik                                          [log in to unmask]
Cabletron Systems, Inc.                                  *HMM* 11/13/93
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