Athletics vs. academics

Nine members of the girls' track team from York High School gaveit their best shot on Saturday by not competing in an areainvitational meet.

They and other area high school athletes who passed up trackmeets, soccer invitationals, tennis and badminton tournaments to takeSaturday's ACT test have their priorities straight.

The test was the equivalent of spring training for many highschool juniors. After taking this test as a warm-up, they can try tobetter their scores in June or even next fall. And the results cangive them a jump ahead in making decisions about college.

Some athletes like Oswego's Tricia Scanlon were able to juggleboth events. Scanlon even set a meet record in the discus, aftertaking the three-hour test. "I took the ACT today and it got myadrenaline pumping," she said. Some teams like York and the girls'badminton team from Hinsdale Central were victorious, even thoughthey missed several starters.

But why do high school athletes face such conflicts? Don'tathletic directors and coaches know in advance when the ACT and SATtests are scheduled? Why can't they plan around them?

The conflicts between academics and athletics are gettingincreased attention in big-time college sports, where the NationalCollegiate Athletic Association, led by the presidents' commission,has begun to address problems like the time demands on athletes.

We'd like to see that debate include the high school level.That's where the conflicts begin.