“‘Student athlete’ is the key word for me,” said D.J. Robinson, founder and director of Athletic Scholars Academy.
“A lot of people have stereotypes of student athletes, so the purpose of this program is to change the perception and to teach kids.”
The seed for the program was planted in Robinson as a young boy in a house of 10 sisters and a mother, with no one available to teach him the fundamentals of basketball. The program officially began in 1996 and has grown to serve thousands of student-athletes in the St. Louis area, grades 2-8.
“Even if they don’t play a lot, they will be able to make that basketball team,” Robinson said of his students.
“They will know what a triple-threat position is, they will know how to dribble, shoot, and they will also know what it is going to take to be a student athlete.”
ASA provides instruction in academics, leadership skills and nutrition, as well as sports fundamentals. The organization also offers college tours and cultural enrichment trips.
“Our goal is not only to prepare them in the fundamentals of sports but also to help them be a better person socially and academically,” he said.
The program operates during the academic school year at Oak Hill, Dewey and Compton Drew schools and at Dewey, Mason, Oak Hill, Kennard, Warner, Shaw and Compton Drew schools during the summer. ASA serves an estimated 150 students during the school year and an additional 100 each summer.
Students must maintain a B average to participate, and ACT prep training begins in 3rd grade. Robinson offers tutors to students and takes a hand-on approach to each student’s progress by meeting with teachers and administrators to help monitor progress.
“The training of students in fundamental skills in specific sports with the opportunity to practice these skills and understand the history of the sport is a wonderful advantage for our students,” said Mary Q. Denny, principal of Kennard Classical Junior Academy.
“Developing study and time-management skills and providing post-secondary education prep activities as well as character building lessons makes the program even more appealing. The students are enjoying themselves and learning with leaps and bounds, and the parents are very satisfied with the ASA program. “
ASA is also partnered with the Saint Louis Science Center. Students create science projects after school and during the summer while learning about sports history and career options, including sports medicine and broadcasting opportunities.
“Every student athlete does not go and make the pros. But if you don’t make a 25 on that ACT and if you don’t have the attitude, you are not going to be successful outside of sports,” Robinson said.
“I want to give the student athlete the whole entire package with regards to the background that they are going to need to be successful in high school and in college.”
The ASA Summer program is currently underway and will continue through July 24. For more information, call (314) 265-2603.