Subpar performances on standardized
tests have dashed more than a few
hopes and dreams of minority athletes
who wanted to go to college. But now,
some much needed help is available
and student-athletes stand to benefit
immensely.
The National Alliance of
African-American Athletes (NAAAA)
and the Princeton Review Foundation
have forced a partnership to
help high school
athletes get the right
kind of preparation to
pass the college board
exams known as the
Scholastic Aptitude
Tests (SAT). In early
November, the two
organizations staged a
series of one-day
seminars in
twenty-six cities
around the country
for that purpose.
The free seminars,
known as SAT
Pre-Game, were
designed to help athletes
sharpen their
test-taking skills. An
estimated 3, 000
youngsters attended,
according to seminar
organizers who
noted that the sessions were the
first to be offered on such a widescale
basis.
SAT coaching courses, for the
most part, are available only to those
who can afford them. The courses,
which are taught in sixty cities across
the country, have a hefty price tag — ranging
from $600 to $700 per child.
But with SAT Pre-Game in place,
athletes from lower income families
now have the opportunity to get
properly prepared for the SAT.
At SAT Pre-Game seminars,
students start the day by taking a
sample SAT, which lasts anywhere
from two-and-a-half to three hours.
Following the test, college basketball
coaches gave motivational talks about
the importance of being ready to
handle college academics. After those
talks and a pizza lunch, the Princeton
Review provided a computer analysis
of each student’s test, outlining
individual strengths and weaknesses.
The Review also gave specific tips on
how students can upgrade their
test-taking skills.
Additionally, the athletes got the
latest information on Proposition 48
(NCAA’s academic standards for
student-athletes), along with a guide to
Proposition 48 requirements and
“Cracking The SAT,” a book
published by the Princeton Review.
“The response we had was so
positive,” says Jay Rosner, the
Princeton Review Foundation’s
national coordinator for the seminars.
“We were pleased with the turnout of
the athletes and the coaches. The kids
left those seminars with a lot of
excellent information and materials.
