Anderson speaks on leaving Wisconsin

[Spence]

Alvarez is probably hard to work for, but you have to give him props for sticking to his beliefs.


[url]
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootbal ... egon-state[/url]

[donovan]

I have no doubt Alvarez is a hands on AD and calls most of the shots, that may be difficult. This admission issue about high school units required is, in my opinion a real red herring. It sounds like schools with higher high school units required have higher academic standards. Not true, in fact, it may be the opposite. Just think about why Junior College Students find it hard to transfer to Wisconsin. And what counts as a unit....well...would you believe not the high school gets to decide, but the NCAA eligibility center, formerly NCAA clearing house. If Alvarez is trying to talk about high Wisconsin academic standards i wouldn't be fooled. When you think of great academic schools, does Wisconsin come to mind?

[Spence]

I have no doubt Alvarez is a hands on AD and calls most of the shots, that may be difficult. This admission issue about high school units required is, in my opinion a real red herring. It sounds like schools with higher high school units required have higher academic standards. Not true, in fact, it may be the opposite. Just think about why Junior College Students find it hard to transfer to Wisconsin. And what counts as a unit....well...would you believe not the high school gets to decide, but the NCAA eligibility center, formerly NCAA clearing house. If Alvarez is trying to talk about high Wisconsin academic standards i wouldn't be fooled. When you think of great academic schools, does Wisconsin come to mind?

Alvarez is kind of a snob in that manner. He always likes to get in a shot about Ohio State when comparing Wisconsin's academics. Ohio State's academics for football players under John Cooper was terrible and was well publicized as such. Tressel fixed that problem along with Gee raising academic standards. They are still lower than admission required for a lot of programs at Ohio State. Meyer seems be following Tressel's lead in this area so far. I do believe that as long as football is being played in colleges they should be required to work towards a degree and graduation. But I don't believe people should believe that most football players are need to keep up the same standards as someone going into medicine.

[donovan]

I think it is reasonable that a kid can play ball if he meets the academic standards to get into the school required of all students. That means exceptions can be made by the same criterion that are used for all the other exceptions. If Wisconsin will not take JC kids into their school , that is their decision. This seems to be one of the functions of the NCAA, all colleges finding common denominators and they have done a reasonable job with setting graduation rates for teams to monitor the programs. If a school wants to deflate it diploma, that too is their decision.

[Spence]

I think it is reasonable that a kid can play ball if he meets the academic standards to get into the school required of all students. That means exceptions can be made by the same criterion that are used for all the other exceptions. If Wisconsin will not take JC kids into their school , that is their decision. This seems to be one of the functions of the NCAA, all colleges finding common denominators and they have done a reasonable job with setting graduation rates for teams to monitor the programs. If a school wants to deflate it diploma, that too is their decision.

I agree. I don't like when a school decides to lower the standard they hold all students, to allow an athlete in to school. There are some hypocritical programs that tout their academic superiority and then sign a kid that can't read. Those are the schools that chew kids up and spit them out without doing them any favors. They get their pound of flesh from these kids and if they don't sign a NFL contract, they are lost. That isn't right. If you put a kid in school that isn't advanced enough to keep up with the population, then catch him up.

[Cane from the Bend]

If you put a kid in school that isn't advanced enough to keep up with the population, then catch him up.

Couldn't agree with this sentiment more.

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[Spence]

That is the main thing. Either they need to give educate these kids or get out of the education for play business. They make billions on the backs of these kids and some of the schools aren't holding up their end. The schools need to make sure that if these kids come in and put in the work that they leave with the tools they need to make their way in society. Lots of them do what the schools want them to do, then if they don't sign an NFL contract they go home without the ability to make it.

[Spence]

Here is another article that is part of this discussion:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/23/sports/former-athletes-sue-north-carolina-over-academic-fraud.html?_r=1

This could maybe spell the end of the NCAA. And should.

[donovan]

I agree, the NCAA falls short on most every task they take on.

This I know, some from first hand experience. Bosie State was having the same issues a lot of schools did in the late 90's. No one graduating and the roster looked like the police gazette. When Pokey Allen became coach that started to change. The school said, education first, sports second and they put into place steps to help. Every coach and they AD, mainly Blaymeir, they had since then has improved this situation. Allen unfortunately passed away with lukenmia. ( Our Son was recruited by Allen and the first season he was very sick and died later that year. Houston Nutt came in and I know for personal experience, having talked with him several times and saw the program in action, they meant it. Every athlete had to be in study hall their first two years, the exceptions were few, maybe three....the super bright...getting B's and A's did not qualify for exemption. There were trained paid tutors and teachers. Miss study hall and you were benched and in some cases dismissed from the team. After two years, it was based on your academic performance. Study hall was from one hour to four depending on the time of the year. It has worked....Boise State has been in the top ten percent of all colleges for years running.

No one is saying that the education is the same as other schools, better or worse....it is a good education and student are prepared. The NCAA only takes credit, it had nothing to do with it. And their football program, I believe has benefited.

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/05/07/3173259_boise-state-scores-high-academic.html?rh=1

[Spence]

I believe that is how it should be done. If you bring a kid in give him the tools to succeed and not just on the football field. The NCAA's protection of North Carolina is a prime example of putting the schools and sports programs in front of the kids. I am as big a supporter of the sports teams as anyone, but we must not put the schools in front of the students.