Spring Break
Seperation between Black athletes and black students
DAPHNE OPOKU
Issue date: 11/29/06 Section: Campus News
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Recently there has been much conversation about the division between black student athletes and " regular black students". Students feel that the separation between the two groups is starting to become a problem, but no one knows or understands the single cause of the separation.
Nate Anderson, a freshman student athlete who runs track for the university stated, "Most athletes stick to what they know and share common interest while "civilians"(regular students) have a false perception of what that means." According to Anderson, civilians feel that athletes are pampered, spoiled and big headed. LeAndra Jackson, a "regular student" disagrees with the previous comment Anderson made stating, "It is not that I think that student athletes are spoiled but I just think that they themselves do not want nor have to associate with us, therefore they don't."
It is obvious from these two students that different perceptions can lead to a misunderstanding from both sides. Nick Young, a student athlete on the men's basketball team brought up the issue of what conversations consist of with a non- student athlete. "Most of the time when I speak to a non athlete all they care to talk about is basketball, if they would be themselves and act normal I would not mind talking to them regularly."
Looking at this situation, from the perspective of the athlete, it can be annoying if all they are known for is what they do and not for whom they really are. At the same time, looking at the situation from the perspective of the student it is hard to know them for who they are if all they are recognized for is what they do.
Justin Hart, a sophomore on the football team made it clear that athletes do not purposely separate themselves from "regular students", it just so happens that because we spend most of our time practicing with our teammates on a daily basis we tend to form a stronger bond with them. On the other hand, Dominique Chaplin, a junior on the women's track team stated that it is easy for athletes in general to spend more time with their teammates because of the many hours spent at practice. At the same time the athletic department almost creates a "separate world" for athletes. Separate world meaning we get our own secluded dinning area, "Galen center", we get our own study area for athletes, "SAAS". These factors help contribute to the division between Black student athletes and regular students.
One can obviously conclude that many factors contribute to the division of students and athletes, whether it be from the lack of common interest, the lack of communication or the misperceptions of athletes and regular students, we must break these social barriers. In order to reconnect the relationship between black students and black student athletes one must set all pride aside and become more open minded when in new situations or when meeting someone for the first time whether they are an athlete or not. Lastly, if black athletes and black students together attend more social events and gathering on campus, then ultimately a stronger bond would form between the black student body as a whole.
Nate Anderson, a freshman student athlete who runs track for the university stated, "Most athletes stick to what they know and share common interest while "civilians"(regular students) have a false perception of what that means." According to Anderson, civilians feel that athletes are pampered, spoiled and big headed. LeAndra Jackson, a "regular student" disagrees with the previous comment Anderson made stating, "It is not that I think that student athletes are spoiled but I just think that they themselves do not want nor have to associate with us, therefore they don't."
It is obvious from these two students that different perceptions can lead to a misunderstanding from both sides. Nick Young, a student athlete on the men's basketball team brought up the issue of what conversations consist of with a non- student athlete. "Most of the time when I speak to a non athlete all they care to talk about is basketball, if they would be themselves and act normal I would not mind talking to them regularly."
Looking at this situation, from the perspective of the athlete, it can be annoying if all they are known for is what they do and not for whom they really are. At the same time, looking at the situation from the perspective of the student it is hard to know them for who they are if all they are recognized for is what they do.
Justin Hart, a sophomore on the football team made it clear that athletes do not purposely separate themselves from "regular students", it just so happens that because we spend most of our time practicing with our teammates on a daily basis we tend to form a stronger bond with them. On the other hand, Dominique Chaplin, a junior on the women's track team stated that it is easy for athletes in general to spend more time with their teammates because of the many hours spent at practice. At the same time the athletic department almost creates a "separate world" for athletes. Separate world meaning we get our own secluded dinning area, "Galen center", we get our own study area for athletes, "SAAS". These factors help contribute to the division between Black student athletes and regular students.
One can obviously conclude that many factors contribute to the division of students and athletes, whether it be from the lack of common interest, the lack of communication or the misperceptions of athletes and regular students, we must break these social barriers. In order to reconnect the relationship between black students and black student athletes one must set all pride aside and become more open minded when in new situations or when meeting someone for the first time whether they are an athlete or not. Lastly, if black athletes and black students together attend more social events and gathering on campus, then ultimately a stronger bond would form between the black student body as a whole.
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