As TCU students make their way to classes this fall semester, rumblings and grumblings can already be heard about class schedules. It seems that no one can be entirely happy with the courses they have ended up with. Maybe they begin too early, maybe they run too late, or perhaps one of those all-too-rare “blow off” courses was already full when you signed up.Sure, it’s sad that there was more demand than “Sexy Naked People 101” or “Survey of Xbox” was able to handle, but bitter parties are all too quick to point fingers. Most of the time, the blame is directed at athletes and honor students.

While some would argue that these students are no different than any regular Horned Frog and aren’t deserving of having first pick of classes, the truth is that not all students are created equal when it comes to class registration.

First of all, athletes are granted first pick of classes because of their busy schedules. With rigorous practice routines to adhere to, athletes need a little more flexibility when it comes to choosing classes. Travel is also a major barrier in the way of athletes falling in with general registration. If a member of the women’s soccer team knows that she’ll be consistently out of town on Fridays for games, she should have the chance to make her schedule accordingly. While some non-athletes liken having to lurch out of bed after a long Thursday night at Billy Bob’s to some crazy Yugoslavian form of torture, they’re still physically capable of being in class.

Also, don’t forget the recruiting edge that the school would lose if it gave away early registration for athletes. Early sign-up is pretty much par for the course at most major American universities. With no star recruits in any sport, athletic performance would go into freefall. Money-making sponsorships would dry up. Total enrollment would fall. Chancellor Boschini would be forced to sell the land that TCU stands on to Campbell’s Soup just to make ends meet. Now, instead of enjoying a well-rounded liberal arts education, TCU’s best and brightest are pasteurizing tomato soup for $7.00 an hour.

Farfetched? Absolutely. Impossible? You be the judge.

Intense hyperbole aside, early registration for athletes makes sense. With grueling practice schedules and dozens of flights throughout the country, not to mention the intense competition, a little preferential treatment when it comes to schedule making seems like pittance for athletes’ sacrifice.

While some may always cry foul about athletes’ and honor students’ early registration, it’s not a privilege that has been granted without careful thought or consideration to all parties involved. It’s done for the general welfare of the university.

Furthermore, would you be willing to step up to the challenge of being a TCU athlete in order to sign up for classes first? Personally, if it’s a choice between later registration or being a tackling dummy for a 350-pound defensive lineman named Peaches, I’ll wait a couple of weeks.

David Hall is a sophomore news-editorial journalism major from Kingwood.