Why would a college or professional scout want to take a kid with issues with authority, who also lacks interpersonal skills and determination? They wouldn't. We send kids to colleges that drop out in a semester or two because they can't adjust to a real academic environment. Things get hard and they quit. We aren't producing college ready kids, we're producing failure ready kids.
How can we help? We as teachers have to keep pushing our students in the classroom. We as teachers have to keep going to the games and, just by being there, showing them that the classroom and athletics are connected.
STUDENT is the important part of that hyphenate. If we don't nourish the student, the athlete will suffer. Those of you who are new to teaching, take my advice and talk with the coaches. Not only does this connect you with one of the key motivators for some of your students, but coaches are fun. You'll be happier knowing them.