College Athletes

I do not think the NCAA should have to change their rules and regulations because of these athletes who were caught receiving “inappropriate help” or “cheating”.  Those who play at the college level were given that opportunity for a reason, because they have the skill and talent. I look up to college athletes who play a sport everyday and still strive to have good grades and maintain their GPA. I’m sure it is not easy being a college athlete especially during the season and even off-season. Athletes practice and train everyday.  Regular college students who do not play sports have a lot more down time and time to do homework, they do not have to travel for games or practice everyday so of course they do not need to cheat or get extra help. Student athletes are trying to do their best at their sport and maintain good grades, it is hard but they are going to try and do all they can to get a good grade even if it involves tutoring, “inappropriate help” or cheating. I agree that nobody should cheat their way through school and that they should work for their grades but there are athletes out there that just get run down and tired, so they find the easy way out. No college athlete wants to sit out a game or get kicked off the team due to his or her grades or GPA, so they will do whatever to make sure they are all right. Yes, teachers and such treat athletes in a different way and may give them extra time for assignments but that is not unfair, athletes practice hours everyday and have to travel to games.  Athletes have less time to get things done and less time to study, yes this is the life they have chose and do not want to give it up, I would not want to pass up the opportunity to play at the college level either.  College students need to find the happy medium or take easier classes so that they can play his or her sport and get all the academic work done. If a college student knows they are not extremely smart and need that extra time to get things done then they should take easier courses and not the challenging ones. A college athlete should also have good time management and should seek help from their peers or tutors to help them complete or study for their classes. No one should cheat their way through life.