CARBONDALE - Passion and preparation are the keys.

That was the underlying theme of Saturday's panel discussion "Preparing for life after the game" at the African American Museum inside University Mall. The panel was moderated by Chad Hoosier, a Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduate assistant at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, and featured Mike Glenn, Corey Bradford, DeJuan Kea and Dr. Seymour Bryson.

The discussion was held in conjunction with Glenn's exhibit "From Molineaux to Michael: African Americans in Athletics" that featured sports heroes from the early 19th century up to 2003. Prominent figures such as Joe Louis, Jackie Robinson, Muhammed Ali, Jack Johnson, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron receive significant attention and acclaim in the exhibit. The exhibit closed Saturday.

"Sports integrated with Jackie Robinson," Glenn said. "But sports history was never integrated. We really need to learn about and recognize historical athletes that were just as great as the players after Jackie."

Discussion ranged from the expectations of student-athletes and role models to ensuring a quality education with the potential opportunities offered by a career in professional sports.

"Education is the key," said Bradford, the SIU assistant vice president for financial and administrative affairs. "Don't let anyone take that away from you. In the long run, you can only go as far as education can take you.

"It's never too early to decide if you want to be a doctor or a lawyer. You just have to work hard to make that happen," he added.

The debate heated up once sports and its impact among young blacks was discussed.

"Don't let that be your whole life," Glenn said. "What you've got to recognize is that God made your whole body. There seems to be an attitude where you were made in a fantastic way from the neck down, but that's false.

"If you were made superior, that you can run and jump and throw and do all these wonderful things because of the area from the neck down, you've got that wonderful stuff all the way to the top," Glenn said.

Kea, a former three-year football starter at wide receiver for SIUC and Illinois Principals Association government and public relations director, also weighed in on the debate.

"There are other subjects outside of sports that you can excel at," Kea said. "You can make ball player money and not be a ball player. There are a lot of jobs out there ? Right now sports do look enticing and it seems like the only way you can be a millionaire or a multi-millionaire and that's not true."

Bryson, who holds the Salukis' career rebounding record and is the SIUC associate chancellor for diversity and center for academic success director, believes that young black athletes should be encouraged to seek out balance and enjoy being an athlete.

But it doesn't last forever.

"You have to prepare yourself to prosper," Bryson said. "Remember that education is the key, it was in the past and it is just as true today."