The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Program gives students an ‘extra advantage’
‘The Extra Yard’ helps student-athletes with standardized testing
NEW HAVEN>> For some high school athletes, their biggest hurdle qualifying to play at the college level is not their performance on the field, but their scores on standardized admission testing.
But one city native and former Georgetown University football standout is providing athletes the opportunity to meet at least one of the college requirements through a SAT/ACT preparatory program called “The Extra Yard.”
Keerome Lawrence, 27 launched the program in January in an effort to bridge the gap between inner-city student-athletes and standardized testing.
Lawrence was a part of the 2007 James Hillhouse High School state football championship team and received a football scholarship to play at Georgetown University. He graduated in 2011 with a degree in psychology.
“When I returned home from college, I saw the support for student-athletes wasn’t there. Inner cities like New Haven, have the best athletes, but when it comes to transitioning to the classroom its always a disconnect,” said Lawrence, who’s
a behavioral specialist and the football and basketball coach at King-Robinson Inter-District Magnet School.
“I believe one of the best ways to get kids in college, is helping them overcoming the first obstacle; the SAT test,” he said.
“If our student-athletes can get past the SAT test with a good score, then we can help them step it up a notch in other areas of their academics studies.”
According to the NCAA, Division I schools use a sliding scale to match test scores and core grade-point averages. Division II requires a minimum SAT score of 820 or an ACT sum score of 68. The SAT score used for NCAA purposes includes only the critical reading and math sections. The writing section of the SAT is not used. The ACT score used for NCAA purposes is a sum of the following four sections: English, mathematics, reading and science, the website said.
The program is held in the New Haven Floyd Little Athletic Center conference room Monday through Thursday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and on Sunday’s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for mock testing purposes.
There are currently 12 students enrolled in the program, mostly freshman and sophomores. Other aspects of the program include mentorship and college campus visits.
The program originally started four years ago at the New Haven YMCA but due to family obligations, Lawrence had to back off for a time.
But this time around, Lawrence said it wasn’t easy to get the space he needed at the school to run the program.
“There were times when I approached people and the support for the program just wasn’t there,” said Lawrence.
Yet, that didn’t stop him for moving forward.
“I understood the meaning of scholarship and perseverance, and this was one way to provide uplift for so many of our student-athletes in need,” he said.
“I finally spoke with the principal and he gave me the OK and space I needed to conduct the program.”
Hillhouse High School Principal Glen Worthy said having an alumnus return and give back is a plus for the school community.
“SATs is one of the measuring sticks colleges uses to admit students to their institutions,” said Worthy.
“Most suburban parents can afford to hire a tutor for their child for the SAT assessment where some of our parents find it hard to find funds to hire a tutor,” he said.
One of the programs biggest advocates has been the school’s track and field coach Gary Moore.
“It’s something that’s definitely needed for our kids, because we had nothing in place for the kids,” said Moore, who’s been with the school for 25 years.
The athletes were the best place to start, according to Moore, because, “we can make sure kids actually show up.”
Moore said he believes having alumni return to support students can change lives.
“I think it’s good that our kids can see someone like him who’s come through the system, who has gone where you want to go and can give you some insight too; we have to make way and give them these opportunities,” he said.
The program’s first student four years ago was Elijah Hampton. Occasionally, Hampton comes in to speak to the participants about his experience as a college student.
“The program gave me the strength to actually want to sit down and do the work, even though at times I don’t want to; there are always other distractions,” said Hampton, a student at Gateway Community College.
“He shows us the true value of education and how hard work can bring you success,” he said.
For Hampton, one of his biggest challenges was time management.
“I wouldn’t be as successful as I am if it wasn’t for him teaching me time management,” said Hampton. “The program give me a extra advantage, because it instills good work ethics that you will need to be successful not just in college but life; it provides strict discipline.”
Lawrence was raised on Valley Street and said the program’s designation came as a result of his struggles of wanting more for himself.
“I didn’t want to be a product of my environment. I had to persevere through whatever to accomplish a degree from a top school in the nation,” said Lawrence.
“I had to go the extra yard and I’m trying to teach kids that they have to go the extra yard if they truly want more out of life,” he said.
While information for testing is the same, Lawrence believes cultural competence is a critical component for inner-city student success.
“It’s all about how it’s given and how they perceive it,” said Lawrence, who believes an outsider wouldn’t have the same connection or interest as someone who can identify with black students.
“We want these students to score high enough on the SAT/ACT to go to different tier schools if they chose to.”
Track and softball player Emani Williams, 15, said the program has taught her classroom discipline.
“In the beginning, I really didn’t like reading or doing essays,” said Emani, who’s been in the program for several weeks.
Now, “I’m actually able to do all of my work and get it done, no matter how long it takes me; he encourages us and pushes us to do better.
And for Pierrion Butler, 14, he said the program has also helped him prepare for his reading assignments.
“We talk about tips of what we need to do when we get long reading assignments ,” said Pierrion, who plays football and runs track.
“The program has help me build confidence,” he said. “He has shown me that I have to take my work serious if I expected to make it to the next level in whatever I want to do.”
For more information about the program call (203) 430-4222 or email at extrayardct@gmail.com