Student is Keyword in Student-Athlete

The word "student" in "student-athlete" is the most crucial element of college sports. A young athlete is a student first. It's important to have a plan, regardless of batting average, 40-yard-dash time or how much a player can bench press. That's the message Andy Herman is trying to send to future college athletes.

Herman, the coordinator of the Graduate School of Health Education at Hofstra University, recently spoke with Schreiber High School student-athletes, courtesy of the Athletic Association of Port Washington (AAPW), at a informational seminar to provide insight on how to pursue a college sports career.

"The message is that we want kids to focus on going to a Division-I academic institution, not a Division-I athletic institution," said Herman, who was an Athletics District Director in Nassau County for 20 years. "Academics before athletics, just as the way 'student' comes before 'student-athlete.'"

Herman's message was clear: Education comes first. The 100 or so students and parents that attended the seminar received advice on how to go about the college search.

"He said a lot of stuff that seems like it could help a lot of us," said junior Ben Marinelli, a member of Schreiber's football team. "The building of the resume is what stuck with me the most."

Tim Costello, a sophomore on the baseball team, shared the same sentiment. He said the resume process is something he'll follow closely in the next few years.

Costello said he wants to study psychology, but isn't sure where. "As long as it's some place warm," said Costello, with a laugh. "It seems the resume is pretty important."

According to Herman, the resume continues to gain importance in the selection process. He said he has seen that colleges are more receptive to students that help out in the community. "College's want student-athletes that have demonstrated character," he said. "What they're looking for is for kids who've served their community at large and the school community." 

Skip Stern, AAPW's vice president, couldn't agree more. "Andy's statement on character was spot on," Stern said after the seminar. "Also, kids have to be sure they're going to the right college. A kid could get hurt his freshman year and never play again for four years. If he's not in the college he wants to attend, then he's in the wrong place."

These seminars typically consist mostly of parents, but this year was slightly different, explained AAPW board member Gail Thrope. "I was really pleased to see this many athletes come out," Thrope said. "In the past, Port Washington hasn't done a lot to promote their athletic programs like other schools like Manhasset or Massapequa or Garden City. This is a welcomed change."

Schreiber High School Athletic Director Stephanie Joannon hopes this is a sign of things to come. "I am thrilled at the amount of people that were here," she said. "We had never had this much, even with guidance meetings. I have to credit the AAPW for putting this together."

Stern said he hopes these student-athletes and their parents learned that student is the keyword in student-athlete.

"The number one thing is to find a college you want to attend," Stern said, "and then ask if athletics can be used to better the chances of being accepted."