Thanks, Steve.
 
I note that what I failed to mention was this:
 
Many of the students and professor who have no experience with
college athletics underestimate the dedication and effort that
college athletes give to their university.  These students not
only carry the normal college workload, they practice their sport
for about 2 hours a day and often times more.  Usually, this is
in the late afternoon. In order to be a competitive athlete, this
practice must be demanding, often to near the point of exhaustion.
Then following a quick supper, the college athlete has to study
to be able to maintain their academic grades.  For myself, this
was very difficult. Try giving the concentration needed to an
academic subject after a physically grueling and demanding 2 hour
period. Then do this day after day for an extended period such as
a sport season. I think that this will change your perspective.
Combine this with a home and road schedule of any NCAA team, and
you may no longer wonder why the non-athlete student seems to do
better in the classroom.
 
Walt Olson
 
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