Putting the "School" Back in High School Sports

As high school football continues to fill the pages of Sports Illustrated and the airwaves of ESPN, some people fear that there's something getting lost in the shuffle: academics.

The result of that fear is a non-profit organization called Play it Smart, which has been created to help high school athletes keep their grades up. In 142 schools nationwide, football players have to answer to an extra "coach," whose sole purpose in life is to keep them focused on schoolwork.

Play it Smart is claiming great success since its inception in 1998. From the LA Times article:

According to the NFF, 95% of Play It Smart participants graduate from high school, compared to 85% of athletes not in the program, and 80% of its seniors enroll in either two- or four-year colleges, compared to 62% of their peers.

If the program truly teaches the students that high school is not just a place to audition for a chance to play in college -- which, let's be honest, many athletes view as a minor leagues for the NFL -- then I think it's a great idea.

Even so, I have my reservations about Play it Smart. Is it teaching the kids the importance of an education, or only how to achieve an acceptable GPA? Is anyone telling these kids that the NFL -- or even a Division I college scholarship -- isn't likely, so they'd better learn some valuable, non-athletic skills?

If Play it Smart can intervene and have a positive impact in kids' lives, more power to them. Because it their message doesn't get through, the transition from high school football star to career McDonald's man can be tough.