This year, over twenty six of Massapequa’s finest athletes have committed to play a sport in college; several at the Division I level. Many more are expected to commit before the end of the 2015-2016 school year.

The college recruitment process is different at every level. For Division I athletes, the standards are more rigid and strict. According to the NCAA Eligibility Center students must maintain a 2.3 GPA, have a score on the combined SAT or ACT that matches the student’s GPA according to a scale, and complete 16 NCAA core courses, 10 of which must be completed before the student’s seventh semester of high school.

Ryan Tierney, who is a committed lacrosse player, is in a very unique situation as his father is coach of the lacrosse team at Hofstra (Division I), the college he will be attending.

“[My Dad] never really pressured me into committing, he allowed me to go on and explore other colleges which was really nice,” Tierney said.  

Division II standard are relatively the same except with less restrictions regarding GPA and SAT or ACT scores. Athletes that are currently in Massapequa High School and are committed or are planning on playing in Division II sports will be the last group of students to undergo the current standards for this division as they will be changed during the summer of 2018 to raise GPA requirements. As far as Division III sports go, each school has set their own requirements.  

Though only Division I athletes are really “recruited” by scouts to play in college, anyone who wants to play a sport in college must start the process as early as possible. This includes maintaining good grades, being involved in clubs and the community, as well as training and remaining active in their sport. According to the NCAA Eligibility Center student athletes should be registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center by sophomore year. Junior year is perhaps the most important and at the same time stressful for students who plan on playing a sport in college because while the average student is just looking for a place to be comfortable and at the same time maintain good grades, athletes must be able to do all of those things and at the same time perform in front of scouts and other college officials.

It is very easy to fall into the trap of not caring about one’s grades after they are committed because, essentially, they are already on their way to that college.

“No student athlete should ever come close to jeopardizing their eligibility by neglecting academics,” Massapequa Public Schools Athletic Director Mr. John Piropato said.

With the United States not even being in the top 10 in education among the rest of the world, in recent years, concern has arisen pertaining to the emphasis that America’s institutions have placed on athletics over education.

According to Forbes Magazine, “America’s universities have brazenly created a perverse incentive for kids to focus on athletics from a very young age… Not surprisingly, both students and parents are willing to sacrifice academic achievement and growth to get into a good college.”

Though this may be a national concern, many are not worried at MHS as many of the senior athletes have quite the course load which consists of AP and college level courses.

“It is important that the athletes keep their grades up. The NCAA and college coaches get a copy of the student’s final transcript that includes updated grades from their senior year,” said Mrs. Parkes.

“Playing sports combined with the academic workload is a challenging task to excel at,” said MHS gym teacher Mr. Tim Radomski, who is also the coach of the lacrosse team which had eleven players commit to play in college.

Massapequa takes great pride in its committed athletes as the program continues to put students on the collegiate level each and every year.

“It’s special when you have a group of players that have worked very hard to make themselves the best student athletes they can possibly be,” said Coach Radomski.

→ Though more athletes are due to commit before the end of the year, the fact that 26 have already renewed s the excellence in coaching and academics that Massapequa puts out each and every year.

“I think that we have good, talented players but the coaching staff has turned us into the players we are now and into a great team. Without the coaching staff we wouldn’t be the players that we are now,” senior Nick Jelovic said, who is committed to play lacrosse at Dominican College.

It is clear that many Massapequa athletes feel the same way.

Senior Kyle McLernon, a varsity baseball player at MHS, is committed to play at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue.

“Being an athlete in Massapequa has taught me what it means to be a champion, work hard, play hard, play with respect, [and] play with pride,” he said. “..and most importantly, [to] have fun.”