MANY privileges and opportunities have succumbed to the current pandemic and many are uncertain as to what the future holds for them.
Although education has found a way to continue, many student-athletes are wondering and are concerned about what will happen to them and their scholarships. While others are not worried because talks, planning and organizing strategies are in the works for the league that they play in, it could not be denied that many athletes might be stripped off of their scholarships because competitions are put on hold.
While withdrawing scholarship of student-athletes could become a move of some due to no competitions, schools and universities should consider retaining their respective scholars and their scholarship programs.
Although their scholars may not compete for a semester or two, everything will be back to normal and sports events will be possible again. We must believe this for our scholars who need to stay in the program for their education.
Student-athletes are not only for competition but schools can make use of them as ambassadors of their respective institution as a model and symbol of its advocacy.
While they cannot yet compete in their respective sports, they could be role models for the school as responsible students who can excel in academics, as well as in sports to resonate with the school’s educational excellence.
Please do this and other great ideas as a remedy in line with the competitions to let them retain their scholarship and, hopefully, complete their studies just for a semester or two, giving them time to compete again once it is permitted. We must believe and claim it, “this too shall pass.”