When present, future conflict
Some athletes, such as one Crystal River lifter, can achieve glory at the state meet or take a college entrance exam.
By BRIAN SUMERS
Published February 10, 2006
CRYSTAL RIVER - In the struggle between athletics and academics, sometimes students must choose priorities.
But when it comes time for the Florida High School Athletic Association to schedule state championships, the governing body chooses dates based solely on athletic schedules - not academics.
So Saturday, the state girls weightlifting meet in Gainesville, three state girls soccer finals in Fort Lauderdale plus all 12 region wrestling meets will coincide with the ACT test, a standardized exam many students take to determine where they will attend college.
The test, similar to the SAT, is administered multiple times each year, but Crystal River weightlifting coach Charles Brooks said it is unfair to make athletes choose between the exam and state playoff events. State officials point out the SAT is given seven times each year, the ACT six. But Brooks said scheduling the events on the same day causes too much pressure for teenagers.
When Brooks called the FHSAA to complain, he said an official told him nothing could be done.
"It's unfair for them to just say, "tough,"' he said. "How could any body governing students say, "tough"'?
Brooks is facing the same problems other coaches have worried about for years.
The swimming, track and some football championships share dates with the SAT. Other football championships were on an ACT date. State officials say there is no way around it. They ask students to plan ahead.
"Sometimes, kids have to make choices," said Paul McLaughlin, the FHSAA's director of athletics. "A talented athlete that's also in the band, they have to make choices. I'm not trying to be trite. It's a fact of life."
One Pirates lifter was forced to make the decision.
Racheal Reed, a 139-pound senior, was scheduled to take the ACT on Saturday but will instead compete in Gainesville.
Because time is running out to take the exam, she knows she might not be able to attend college next year. But she said the Navy remains a likely option.
"It wasn't a hard decision," Reed said. "But Coach is upset. He says academics come first."
Neither Lecanto coach Bob LeCours nor Citrus coach Doug Patton has any athletes who made a similar choice.
Patton has faced the problem before and said he sympathizes with Brooks.
"It would seem to me the state would try to do what's best for the girls," Patton said. "In too many cases, they do what's best for them."
Brian Sumers can be reached at bsumers@sptimes.com or 564-3628.