by Danyelle Scroggins

Created on: October 14, 2008

Work Hard! Two words that I would tell any young person hoping to get a sports scholarship. Unlike during my days when colleges just snatched up athletes because they were darn good, they're looking for much more now. I believe that the focus is no longer on whose going to the NCAA Championship but rather on how many student athletes are graduating from the institutions. Not only does it look good for the institution to graduate these athletes but it also makes for a brighter future for the athlete.

My daughter who is on a sports scholarship rarely had time outside of her hectic senior curricular and basketball practices to focus on a scholarship. As a parent of athletes, I've constantly told my children that their education was far more important than sports. It would be good to get a sports scholarship but even better an academic scholarship. Well, I have no choice but to thank God for a student athlete who left highschool with a 4.25 average. Not only did she work hard for her scholarship, she deserved it.

Now, it's just not good enough for her to say, "I got a sports scholarship." She is now not only representing the Lord who made it possible for her to receive the scholarship, us her parents who did all we could to teach her good values and enhance her skills, but now she's representing an entire student body and university. When she's on the court, she must do her part on the five girl team, but when she's in the classroom, she must do her best for her future.

There were colleges offering her scholarships, and mind you they were good scholarships. Nevertheless, we chose the college that said, "Basketball is important, but education is even more important." It didn't matter to us how much money they'd be given or make because of ticket sales. What mattered was a coach saying that their student athlete must attend study hall three days a week, their student athlete must attend every schedule class, and their student athlete must live their life off the court conducive to how they work on the court: with extreme determination, respectfully, and as a leader.

So parents, remember to encourage your children to work hard. Sport scholarships are not as easy to come by as you think. Teach your children the value of working hard for the goals they want to achieve. Teach them that with Christ, all things are possible to him that believe. Most importantly, teach them that anything worth having is worth working hard for, and anything that you've worked hard for, is worth keeping.

To student athletes, know that if God has given you a gift, He will make room for you in this world to share your gift so that He gets the glory. You may ask, what does that have to do with getting a sport scholarship. I'm glad you asked! I believe that whatever you want in this world, you can have it if you ask God for it. Man may try to block you but you must know that when God opens a door, no man can shut it. Have faith and always remember that faith without a little work on your part is worth nothing. See that word again...."Work". Yes, it's a part of anything that's worth having, so do your part. You can write as many letters, to as many colleges as you'd like but nothing helps more than, someone by word of mouth telling about your work ethics or by someone seeing for themselves how hard you work. Work Hard!

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