Essex Students, Coaches React to New Sports Eligibility Rules

High School junior track and cross country runner believes competing on a school sports team is a privilege, not a right.

That is why Boyd said she supports a Maryland State Board of Education vote on Tuesday, which WBAL reported recommends students must maintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA), or C average, to play interscholastic sports in Maryland.

According to WBAL, the decision takes effect on Jan. 1. While the new academic eligibility standards are not binding, most school systems are expected to adopt them, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Baltimore County has no minimum GPA requirement, but according to its regulations an athlete is ineligible if he or she fails more than one subject in a grading period.

“I really agree with the state on this topic,” Boyd said. “I feel that all students should have at least a 2.0 GPA because it would encourage the athletes to do better in school in order to participate in a sport.

“Sports should be an extracurricular activity and academics should always come first," Boyd said. "This requirement will eventually help the student for the future because they will always have their education for support.”

Kenwood cross country and track coach has mixed feelings on the recommendations. He said he supports stricter academic standards, but believes there is more than one way to ensure success in the classroom.

For example, Planamente said at Kenwood if a student has less than a C average, he or she is on athletic probation. This means the student could be removed from the team if his or her next progress report or report card doesn't show improvement. 

“This way, a student at least has a chance to pick up their grades before being removed from a team,” Planamente said.

Planamente said he is also concerned that many students will decide against taking challenging courses like Advanced Placement classes in order to ensure their grades remain above the minimum threshold.

“While I agree that academics comes first, I am just afraid of many of the smart individual students throughout the state that will decide to take easier classes in order to raise a GPA, which to me does not prepare them for the future. 

“I would rather have them challenged and learn something than to take the easier route," Planamente said.

Kenwood boys’ basketball coach Chris Kelly said the new academic requirements should be expanded to all students and activities.

“We need to raise the standards for everyone,” Kelly said. “Students can graduate with less than a 2.0. I am not sure why they only picked athletes. I think everyone should have to have a 2.0 in order to graduate.”