Don't Have A 3.3 GPA? Then You Can't Go To The Game

Renton High School set strict academic standards for any students hoping to go to the state tournament. Students needed a B+ average (3.3) to go to Wednesday morning's game.

The Renton cheerleaders were there, the Renton band was there, and the Renton parents were there. But most of the student body was not.

Only six of the 60 kids who made the grade signed up to be here to watch their top-ranked basketball team play its first game at the state 3A tournament.

The rest of the students are back in class. It's only 9 o'clock in the morning on a school day. School officials said only students with a B+ average and above can come.

"We want students to focus on academics," said Assistant principal Ed Crow. "We want students in the classroom."

Some of the parents and kids don't agree with the tough academic policy.

"They shouldn't even have had school," said Parent Arthur Robinson. "The whole school should have come."

Student Kelly Barefield said, "I think the grade average should have been lowered at least to 3.0 or 2.5. Then we would have more fans."

There is an exception to the rule. Some students are here who don't have to have 3.3 GPA -- it's the basketball team. Players only need a 2.0 / C average. That's set by the state high school association.

"The basketball players have 2.0 to come, why don't we have 2.0 to come?" one student wondered.

Crow says, "I don't think it's a double standard. The athletes are here to participate in an event they earned their way to."

And Renton stands alone. Lindbergh High, which is also in the Renton district, has no restriction. All students can come no matter what their grades.

Renton High School says athletics are important, but they're not going overshadow academics.

Since Renton won Wednesday's game, Thursday's game is after school and all are welcome to go.