Texas is back. Many would say that after going 10-4 and becoming Sugar Bowl champs during the 2018-2019 season, Texas Football had found its groove again. The Longhorns have always been one of the most highly regarded and historic programs of all time and have national titles to prove it. However, their success on the field is not the reason why they have been trending lately.
The University of Texas Football twitter account posted a graphic that included their semester GPA along with a statement stating that it was the highest semester GPA in program history. Awesome right? Recognizing hard work and a congratulations to current players was expected. But unfortunately that was not the case.
The GPA that shocked everyone!
With a listed 2.89 GPA, Texas Football had recorded their highest semester GPA ever. The average falls a little below a B and the twitter world went for their throats. While very little defended the program, many bashed and laughed at what seemingly looked like a low GPA.
Some joked about CTE being a factor while others expressed their opinion to bench players with low academic performance. Alumni and even current students were upset and looked down on the program and their “so called” achievement.
Former and current players took matters into their own hands and responded to the naysayers that talked bad about current student-athletes at UT.
Former player James Locke and current Texas tight end Jared Wiley expressed themselves by letting people know that it’s not easy to be a student-athlete with the busy schedule and rigorous academic work that they encounter on a daily basis. Wiley then went on and implied that Texas is a top university and not everyone is able to attend.
The University of Texas at Austin is arguably the best public institution in the state and a very highly accredited university. Making it one of the most difficult schools to get an acceptance from and the class work in itself is not a walk in the park. If students alone struggle to maintain a decent GPA, imagine how much harder it is for a student-athlete.
Student-athletes don’t have it easy. Not everyone can do what they do and do it well.
Being a full-time student and participating in extracurricular activities still gives the average non student-athlete more time during the day to dedicate to their studies. Not having a rigorous schedule should insure the success of these students and help them achieve academically. Right?
Well Kind of.
One would think that with the amount of time available an average student would come out on top with a 3.0 and above. However, that is not the case. A normal college student averages about a 2.67 GPA; not as high as people expect.
The average GPA for a Division 1 athlete is a 2.379. Many don’t understand the amount of work that student-athletes undergo, especially during their sports season. Between class, meetings, workouts, practice, tutoring, and film study the players have it rough. Having so many athletes on a team, its hard for an accurate representation of academic performance to be obtained for each individual player.
So an average GPA of a B- is not bad.
Not to say that there are no slackers on the team, that happens without a doubt at every school. But there are players that make the honor roll each semester and even deans list. These athletes work hard for numerous hours a day and should not have an academic achievement laughed at.
Having a football team that is made up of about 90 men all averaging a low B is an achievement that coaches, personnel staff, athletes, and fans should all be proud of.
Historically this is a huge success for the team. They have never achieved anything as high and it just shows how hard they are working to bring it up. There is absolutely no way that the coaches are content though, they want to keep pushing and keep making history. It will work its way up but as of right now, its huge news and people should acknowledge it.
These men work hard on and off the field and it should be recognized. They have a lot on their plate and will do anything they can to succeed academically and athletically. Players sacrifice their bodies everyday to play the sport they love all while getting a degree.
No one forces them to play and give up their time but they do it anyways. They do it for the fans, for the love towards the school and the game, and because it gives them an opportunity that is life-changing. A once in a lifetime opportunity that not everyone is offered and gets to experience.
Everyone will cheer and clap for them come early September when they run out of the tunnel and step on the field at DKR. The same energy should be given to them for their academic performance that at the end of the day made history.
marvinlovo 