[Jeong Gyu-young's Gongseon Unhak④] Thanks to Physical Education... The Story of a Student Who Entered a Prestigious US University, Was Invited to the White House, and Got a Job at a Financial Company

Editor's NoteAsia Economy is running a series of expert contributions to propose directions necessary for improving the structural problems of sports in the Republic of Korea and achieving harmony among professional sports, recreational sports, and school sports. Jung Kyu-young, president of the nonprofit organization 'Gongbuhaneun Seonsu Undonghaneun Haksaeng (Gongseonunhak),' offers his suggestions. Having studied at Stanford Graduate School and served as the captain of the university's fencing team, President Jung established the nonprofit in 2015 to introduce the American school sports system he observed there into Korea, promoting it through publicity and scholarship projects. He plans to point out the limitations of the domestic student-athlete admission system, school sports management, sports club development, and sports organization operations, comparing overseas cases and suggesting future directions.

Jung Kyu-young, President of the Studying Athletes Exercising Students Association / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

☞Reference

[Jung Kyu-young's Gongseonunhak①] 'The Essence of Sports is Education'... This Comes First

[Jung Kyu-young's Gongseonunhak②] Stanford, Yale, Harvard... Secrets of American Elite University Sports (Part 1)

[Jung Kyu-young's Gongseonunhak③] Instilling the 'Champion Mindset'... Secrets of American Elite University Sports (Part 2)

A student in Korea who loved sports entered a middle school in the United States. He was not fluent in English, so at the beginning of his study abroad, school life and friendships were not smooth. Instead, he became a member of the school sports team in his favorite sport and worked hard, making many friends. As a representative athlete of the school, he competed in matches against other middle schools, showcasing his skills and gaining popularity at school.

Upon entering high school, he selected the sport he liked most and excelled in, training at school during the semester and at sports clubs outside school during vacations. His academic grades improved, and by demonstrating sportsmanship both inside and outside the classroom, he earned recognition and was admitted as a 'student-athlete' to Columbia University, one of the top elite universities in the U.S., through a recommendation letter written by the school.

A Columbia University student admissions official said about this student, "Having observed him on the field for three years, I was deeply impressed not only by his perseverance but also by his respect and courtesy in dealing with opponents, referees, and coaches."

This student balanced studies and sports at Columbia University, then returned to Korea to fulfill his military service. Afterward, he resumed his studies majoring in statistics and continued to be an active representative athlete of the school, eventually becoming the first Korean captain of the sports team. During this time, he won three Ivy League championships and became a national champion, receiving an invitation from President Donald Trump and visiting the White House.

During the summer vacation of his junior year, he interned at Deutsche Bank in New York, leaving a good impression. Before graduation, he received an offer to join as a full-time employee and is expected to start working immediately after graduation. The student said, "If I had not played sports, I would not have achieved admission to an elite American university, the strong alumni network, or employment opportunities. Interviewers were curious about my university sports background, and I met many alumni who helped me."

Photo by Jung Kyu-young, provided by the President of the Studying Athletes Exercising Students Association

"Korean Sports Are Not a Deep-rooted Evil"
"To Establish a Student-Athlete System and a Virtuous Cycle, College Sports Must Change First"

The author vividly remembers the first time meeting this student. He was a polite student who loved sports and was well-raised at home. When he seemed to struggle balancing sports and studies in high school, the author asked if he intended to focus on studies and give up sports. At that time, he said, "I just need to reduce wasted time," and "Working hard at sports helps me concentrate on studies and become healthier, so I will never give up."

This student's future is much broader and greater than the goal of an Olympic medal.

In recent years, the author has started discussions to change the perception of Korean sports, which has been regarded as a 'deep-rooted evil.' In Korea, the word 'sports' has long been distant from 'studies.' It meant 'elite athletes' who endure tremendous hardship in training camps, devoting all their time except meals and sleep solely to sports, and recently, it has been at the center of various scandals.

Sports are not a deep-rooted evil but precious education. Elite sports and recreational sports can naturally harmonize, and the solution for how to use national budgets efficiently is embodied in the case of the student mentioned above. The change must start from school sports, ultimately from college sports.

To this end, it is desirable to operate university sports teams composed of student-athletes, not just physical education departments or colleges, as in American universities. If prestigious universities select student-athletes who excel in both academics and sports based on market demand and supply, children will participate in recreational sports from an early age, and elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as parents, will recognize sports as an important subject. Students will voluntarily work hard at sports both at school and in sports clubs from a young age.

This is the natural activation of recreational sports. Student-athletes who voluntarily enjoy and live sports from elementary school can also be competitive compared to the very few athletes who focus solely on Olympic medals. For domestic universities to operate sports teams centered on student-athletes, it is essential to guarantee universities' student selection rights and provide proper guidelines for physical education. A league where student-athletes from universities nationwide can compete regularly should also be considered. (To be continued in the next installment)

Jung Kyu-young, President of Gongbuhaneun Seonsu Undonghaneun Haksaeng and CEO of Lorus Enterprise