Louisiana athletes will have to pay more attention to academics if a new bill passed by the Senate last week is approved by the House and signed by the Governor. The bill, sponsored by Senator Foster L. Campbell, would require students to maintain a 1.25 grade-point average next year, a 1.75 average the following year, and a 2.0 average in 1986-87 to participate in athletics and all other extracurricular activities, according to Mr. Campbell.
“In Louisiana today, to be involved in athletics all that is required is that a student pass three courses,” the legislator said. “He can pass with a D minus just as easily as with a C. You can have three D’s and two F’s--have a 0.75 grade-point average--and still participate.”
The more stringent requirements would be a step forward in improving the quality of schooling in the state, Mr. Campbell said. “The probability of students playing professional ball is slim, but the probability of having to get a job is unavoidable,” he said.
The bill, which exempts special-education students, passed in the Senate by a vote of 38 to 1, and “prospects for passage seem good” in the House, Mr. Campbell said.--sr
