Quote Originally Posted by sweetwater View Post
In response to fishinislife,
Although I do support the idea of competitive fishing in high school and college, I do not support it or any sport as an avenue for getting a scholarship. I obtained my degree from Bama through an academic scholarship. I worked really hard for my scholarship and my degree. The only thing I've been given was a brain and the ability to use it. I've seen way to many athletes go through school on a football scholarship without learning anything. A good portion of them wind up behind bars after school and then the rest of us pay their way through life. I had a lot of friends in high school that could have benefited from higher education, but because they were poor they could not afford it. Way to much money is spent on athletics that could otherwise be used to benefit society through academic scholarships and lower tuition for students that were not blessed with being athletes or being born into a family that could provide them with opportunities to make something of themselves. Sports are for having fun and learning teamwork, not a way to get a free ride.

I do believe that makes you an Elitist. Elitist: The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.

The same can be said for many of the kids from weathy families. I've seen way too many non-atheletes from rich families go through school on a "Daddy scholarship" without learning anything. What is the difference? You think you are better than someone who went to school on an athletic scholarship because you worked hard in the classroom or were born smart? That is the way you come across. What about the work the athelete did physically with practice, exercise, whatever to become the best. Maybe God gave them that gift. Does that make them less deserving of a shot at an education than you? Listen, it's all about opportunities. Some kids make the most of the gifts they are given, such as yourself. Some don't. One kid's brains or maturity or hardwork in the classroom is no more worthy than another kids gift of speed or brawn or hard work on the field. One is no more special or deserving than the other. There should be no distinction.

And as for a person who has the gift of smarts but not athletics; if in today's society they can't find an affordable way to go to college they aren't that smart or they are lazy. So don't give us that line of you know what.

High school fishing is great. College scholarships for the best will be awesome.