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Get some
academic coaching from an NFL player.
New York Jets Player Says "Education First"
By Dawn Kessler
December 2000
The CollegeBound Network Newsclick -- When you
consider the odds of making it to the professional
level of sports, it's not enough to just make
the grade on the field. So says Chris Hayes, special
teams player for the NFL's New York Jets and
distance learner. Although you should never lose
sight of your dreams, Hayes explains, you should
never underestimate the importance of a college
education, either.
"The
chances of getting a sports contract is a low
percentage," says Hayes. How low? According
to the NCAA, the likelihood of a high-school football
player getting to the pros is .09 percent. And,
even if you do make it, warns Hayes, "Football
may not be forever." That's why this successful
pro-baller has made completing his college degree
through distance learning a personal goal.
And,
he's not the only pigskin player to hit the books
this season. Hayes is the first of three members
of his team to recently enroll in Nassau Community
College's distance learning program, with the
guidance of Jets' Director of Player Development,
Carl Banks. He's currently just three classes
shy of a bachelor's in Business Marketing, a degree
he nearly completed at Washington State University
until he was drafted by the NFL in 1996.
Thus
far, Hayes has loved every minute of his cyber
schooling. "It's just been so much fun. If
I could stay in school forever, I would get 10
degrees this way." Next up for Hayes: A master's
degree program. That's because, he explains, distance
learning has allowed him the freedom and the flexibility
to learn and study during a hectic season, and
even between tackles, if he so desires.
"After
practice, around 4:00, I can just sit back with
my Sony C1VN laptop, and go to class. It's so
light, I even take it on the road to get my work
done," says Hayes. Make no mistake, warns
Hayes: Online learning takes the same amount of
motivation and concentration, if not more, than
classroom learning. "If you don't keep up
with [your work], it can be difficult to catch
up," he says.
Hayes'
commitment to education is evident through not
only his studies, but in his extra curricular
activities as well. As founder of the Game Time
Foundation, which offers scholarship opportunities
for Vancouver, WA-area students, Hayes often visits
schools to spread his message: "Education
first." Even NFL stars have to have a gameplan
for the future. After a little Internet research
about the marketing field in which he aspires
to work in someday, Hayes says he realized that
earning a degree is a key element for any type
of career success. "You practically need
a master's just to find a job these days,"
he adds.
With
his aspirations, however, Hayes plans to be ready
if and when his days on the field come to an end.
So should you be, he advises. "The world
keeps growing and the demands are great. [A degree]
gives you more leverage."
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