Eligibility is becoming weekly for football players this year. Presenting a classroom evaluation to each of their teachers on a weekly basis presents a whole new level of standards for these athletes.
On the evaluation, teachers indicate whether or not the players’ grade is passing and if they have been a gentleman in the classroom. If they are given bad marks in either of these areas, they are excluded from playing in that week’s game.
The process seems simple enough, but it is a more in-depth evaluation of academic standing and character than athletes have ever been subject to. “Failure is not an option” said head football coach Keith Rawlings.
“The purpose is to let [Coach Rawlings] know what’s going on in the classroom,” said senior Jimmy Schultz.
“I didn’t like the way the school put things to make a kid ineligible,” said Rawlings. So to take matters into his own hands, he began these evaluations to make sure the players don’t become ineligible and practice “discipline in the classroom and on schoolwork.”
So far, these evaluations have served their purpose. Senior Will Puhl admits that although having to go to all of their teachers is a “hassle” because of the evaluations he still thinks that “we [the football team] try harder.” Rawlings is pleased with this outcome and how smoothly the process has been going this year.
From the feedback Rawlings has received, most teachers like the evaluations, and he is surprised that some teachers don’t. The evaluations serve as a proactive tool, and it lets the players “know that they are held accountable,” said Rawlings. “They [the team] know that we are committed to excellence.”
Social studies teacher Jacob Hollin is one of the teachers with a complaint. “If every sport had evaluations, it would be unmanageable,” he said. When teachers have several players in one class that all come to have the form filled out at the same time, it can be strenuous, especially when dealing with the task of creating an accurate report. In order for the evaluations to serve their purpose, it is essential that teachers actually take the time to be honest and let Rawlings in on the truth as opposed to a simple sign off.
“I’m pretty honest, maybe painfully honest on some evaluations, and I try to throw in a personal comment like ‘Give Nick Martinez the ball more,’ just to make sure coach is actually reading all of these,” said Hollin.
The evaluation is still being refined. Principal Paul Barker said, “If the goal was to keep the football players off the ineligibility list, it wasn’t 100% successful.”
However, the players still feel that they are trying harder and that these evaluations have served good purpose so far. “Bottom line — we’re about students being successful, and if this is a means to help students be successful, let’s do it,” said Barker.
Kaitlin Bobbin can be reached for comment at [email protected].