Written by
Michael Robinson
College sports and the African American student have not always been a marriage made in heaven. We have all heard the horror stories of young African American men who upon the completion of their playing days are unceremoniously shown the door. In most cases these young men return to their communities without a college degree and little in the way of guidance and direction.
However, times may be changing [somewhat]. While there has been a slight trend upward in the numbers of African American male student athletes earning their degree, their numbers remain well behind their white male counterparts. Perhaps one of the factors contributing to the gap is the increase in the number of high school basketball players who enroll in a college for only year, before declaring their intentions to enter the NBA. This is not the primary factor, but it is a contributing factor nonetheless.
My desire to discuss this topic was heighten while watching a riveting basketball game between the University of Missouri-Tigers and the Memphis University-Tigers. During the commentary, two remarkable facts were unveiled by the announcers, each with little fanfare, but nevertheless they were penetrating to my consciousness. First, on the University of Missouri basketball team there was an African American senior student athlete, by the name DeMarre Carroll. DeMarre is an all conference player which is not unusual in itself, but he is also an all conference first-team academic selection. Neither of the two accomplishments are unusual but they are a rare combination when you discuss the accolades of the African American student athlete. Secondly, we learned DeMarre had completed his undergraduate studies and earned his degree and at the time of the tournament was enrolled in his post-graduate course of study.
The acknowledgment of Mr. Carroll’s academic performance was astonishing, as this type of achievement is not often highlighted during the course of a sporting event when the student is an African American male athlete. Traditionally, praise and recognition of such an academic achievement is left for discussion of the white male student athlete. Times may be changing [somewhat]. It must also be noted, DeMarre is expected to be either a late first round or high second round pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
When you line the successes of the University of Missouri’s DeMarrco Carroll beside that of Florida State University football player Myron Rolle, who earned one of only 32 Rhodes Scholarships given to students in America, it becomes easy to see high academic achievement does not have to give way to high athletic skills. Myron learned of his scholarship award while in Birmingham, Ala for the actual interview.
Meanwhile, Myron’ teammates where in College Park, Md. for a late season game against the University of Maryland, a pivotal gave in which both teams needed to win in order to ensure an invitation to participate to a bowl game. Myron arrived for the second half of the game, after being flown by charted plane, with the permission of the NCAA to College Park, Md. His motorcade was escorted by Maryland State Troopers. He arrived, put on his uniform and played in a game where his teammates had secured the victory by the mid point of the third quarter. Nevertheless, the reception he received from his teammates brought me to tears, as he was mobbed with hugs and hand shakes as his teammates learn that his performance in the classroom not on the football field.
The reception he received convinced me more than ever that all students understand the value of an education. It is up to parents, significant adult role models and educators to avoid the easy path of conformity regarding their athletic greatness and begin to place as much emphasis on awards for their academic achievement. It should be noted that Myron graduated from Florida State University in 2 ½ years. He has plans to become a neurosurgeon and provide medical assistance to those living poverty stricken countries. Myron Rolle was projected to be a first round draft pick in this year’s NFL draft. Myron has chosen to place his football career on hold, while he attends Oxford University.
However, times may be changing [somewhat]. While there has been a slight trend upward in the numbers of African American male student athletes earning their degree, their numbers remain well behind their white male counterparts. Perhaps one of the factors contributing to the gap is the increase in the number of high school basketball players who enroll in a college for only year, before declaring their intentions to enter the NBA. This is not the primary factor, but it is a contributing factor nonetheless.
My desire to discuss this topic was heighten while watching a riveting basketball game between the University of Missouri-Tigers and the Memphis University-Tigers. During the commentary, two remarkable facts were unveiled by the announcers, each with little fanfare, but nevertheless they were penetrating to my consciousness. First, on the University of Missouri basketball team there was an African American senior student athlete, by the name DeMarre Carroll. DeMarre is an all conference player which is not unusual in itself, but he is also an all conference first-team academic selection. Neither of the two accomplishments are unusual but they are a rare combination when you discuss the accolades of the African American student athlete. Secondly, we learned DeMarre had completed his undergraduate studies and earned his degree and at the time of the tournament was enrolled in his post-graduate course of study.
The acknowledgment of Mr. Carroll’s academic performance was astonishing, as this type of achievement is not often highlighted during the course of a sporting event when the student is an African American male athlete. Traditionally, praise and recognition of such an academic achievement is left for discussion of the white male student athlete. Times may be changing [somewhat]. It must also be noted, DeMarre is expected to be either a late first round or high second round pick in the upcoming NBA draft.
When you line the successes of the University of Missouri’s DeMarrco Carroll beside that of Florida State University football player Myron Rolle, who earned one of only 32 Rhodes Scholarships given to students in America, it becomes easy to see high academic achievement does not have to give way to high athletic skills. Myron learned of his scholarship award while in Birmingham, Ala for the actual interview.
Meanwhile, Myron’ teammates where in College Park, Md. for a late season game against the University of Maryland, a pivotal gave in which both teams needed to win in order to ensure an invitation to participate to a bowl game. Myron arrived for the second half of the game, after being flown by charted plane, with the permission of the NCAA to College Park, Md. His motorcade was escorted by Maryland State Troopers. He arrived, put on his uniform and played in a game where his teammates had secured the victory by the mid point of the third quarter. Nevertheless, the reception he received from his teammates brought me to tears, as he was mobbed with hugs and hand shakes as his teammates learn that his performance in the classroom not on the football field.
The reception he received convinced me more than ever that all students understand the value of an education. It is up to parents, significant adult role models and educators to avoid the easy path of conformity regarding their athletic greatness and begin to place as much emphasis on awards for their academic achievement. It should be noted that Myron graduated from Florida State University in 2 ½ years. He has plans to become a neurosurgeon and provide medical assistance to those living poverty stricken countries. Myron Rolle was projected to be a first round draft pick in this year’s NFL draft. Myron has chosen to place his football career on hold, while he attends Oxford University.
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