'
hen Kelvin Clark left town in 1979, he left one thing in
Lincoln — his education.
He is back to get that education.
Clark, an All-America offensive tackle for the Nebraska
Comhuskers. was drafted in the first round that year by the
Denver Broncos. But he dropped out of school with two
semesters left for his bachelor’s degree.
“My mind was on playing football." Clark said, adding he
didn’t worry much about academics.
But seven years and two professional football teams later.
Clark returned to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to finish
that same degree in physical education.
m Although Tom Osborne contacted him about returning to
UNL to finish college. Clark said he always figured he would
get back to school sooner or later.
“There was something I wanted to do and I couldn’t do it
without a degree." he said.
Clark is just one of many student athletes who walk a
tight rope between studies and sports, according to A1
Papik. assistant athletic director for administrative
services.
“They have to balance practice, and keep certain grades to
keep their eligibility, and perform well enough to keep their
scholarship, Papik said. The combination creates a certain
amount of pressure, although a lot of it is probably self
imposed by the player, he added, rather than from any mem
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Further pressure has been increased by a recent UNL
Faculty Senate investigation into two summer courses alleg
edly designed for football players. Allegations that athletes
receive undeserved academic help from instructors and
counselors make the situation two fold.
According to NCAA figures, 66.6 percent of all student
athletes graduate from Division I schools, compared to only
59 percent of all non-athletes. Papik said that he would like
to see the 66.6 percent rise to 80 percent.
Because many students on athletic scholarships at UNL
k were high school all-stars, they feel pressure to live up to
their previous expectations, Papik said.
Papik said most students are able to overcome these
pressures during their first year of college because they learn
to cope with those pressures.
“We feel that while there is a strain, it is a necessary
strain," UNL athletic director Bob Devaney said, adding that
one of the athletic department’s main concerns is for student
athletes to leave college with an education.
Pressures can play havoc with any student when they
pursue outside interests with their classes, he said.
But many students wouldn’t have the opportunity to
go to college if they didn’t play in sports.
For Devaney, academics come first.
\ “We don’t appreciate people who say that athletes are
getting special consideration." Devaney said. “When we
recruit, we don’t ever try to sell a young man on their athletic
ability and getting a pro career."
But what could make a difference in the academic caliber
of student athletes is an NCAA proposition implemented two
years ago that requires a higher grade point average in high
school. Papik said it is too early to understand the full impact
of Proposition 48. But he added that each of the past two
years the freshman classes have had significantly higher SAT
and ACT scores, and higher high school grade point averages.
In 1986 the mean ACT score for incoming freshmen was
20.42. while it was only 17.62 in 1985. Papik said.
“The student athlete is now more well-qualified academi
cally." Papik said.
“It (Proposition 48) definitely will help," Devaney said.
The proposition stipulates that while in high school,
athletes must meet three requirements to compete in
Division I intercollegiate athletics. The proposition
applies only to Division I schools.
Under the proposition, student athletes must complete 11
core courses, which include three years of English, two years
of math, two years of social science, two years of natural
science and two additional courses such as a foreign lan
guage.
The proposition also requires athletes to maintain a 2.0
GPA in those 11 core courses. They must have a combined
SAT score of 700 or an ACT score of 15 before they will be
eligible to compete.
The requirements imposed by Proposition 48 are similar to
basic graduation requirements of Lincoln Public Schools, so
it doesn t burden local high school athletes, according to
Virgil Home, director of athletics and student activities for
Lincoln Public Schools.
However, only a small percentage of the graduating class
from Lincoln will compete in Division I sports. Home said.
Although high school guidance counselors advise students
to go to college, they don't counsel them to go to a Division I
school. Home added.
Proposition 48 has nothing to do with admission to a
college. Papik said, but whether a student can get
financial aid and participate in athletics.
Papik said there is some leeway in the regulation, although
students must make satisfactory progress toward their degree
as long as they are competing. They must take 24 credit
hours each academic year toward their major, which includes
all electives required for that major. They are not required to
declare their major until the end of their fourth semester.
“1 his is the most significant piece of legislation passed by
the NCAA that emphasizes academics.’’ Papik said. “It has
created extensive communication with coaches, counselors,
students, parents and colleges that did not exist before."
Before the proposition went into effect in 1986. the only
academic requirements for athletes was graduation from
college with an accumulative GPA of at least 2.0. The system
only caused trouble. Papik said.
Papik said he estimates that about 20 percent of all stu
dents in Division 1 schools did not qualify with the new
regulations, but they met the standards of the old rules.
A lot of the trouble student athletes had with poor grades
was caused before Proposition 48 went into effect, Devaney
said.
Athletes frequently dropped out of college when they had
used up their athletic eligibility.
44^^\oaches l°se control of athletes after they have used up
^^their eligibility, Papik said. Some athletes are lured
away by professional teams during their senior years.
Papik said all the coaches are concerned about the problem.
But Devaney thinks students are only hurting themselves
