Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is at it again; Low Graduation Rates Should Mean No Tourney Invite And on the Flip Side...it almost seems like we are talking about two different schools...Here is the response from Purdue;
Yeah there are Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics. Purdues response shows definite improvement and a commitment to the student athlete. Scott88 once said that he thinks athletes should be responsible for their own academic progress just like all the rest of the kids in school. I tend to agree with this, it's hard to motivate somebody who really isn't interested in school and really is looking for the easiest way to just get by and keep playing. On the other hand I think that given what is asked of student athletes, that the University owes them the effort to motivate them, provide them with study resources, counseling, etc. Keeping on top of the kids, ultimately no matter what some kids just don't care and won't graduate. I've always thought the difference between ND, Northwestern,Duke, Stanford, etc grad rates is not that they recruit only great students, they recruit plenty of average students. But the atmosphere and culture of those programs is going to class, graduating, etc...just like new kids can be clued in by the upper classmen on how to cut corners, etc they can also be mentored on how at those programs being a student is just as important as being an athlete.
If what Scott means by the athletes should be responsible for their own academic progress that we shouldn't give them support I would disagree. There is a time commitment that football players in particular give a lot to the school and have to spend a lot of time preparing. I am very happy for my school and athletic department to give them the support and guidance to succeed.
I don't think that's exactly what he meant. I don't want to put words in his mouth though so I'll leave it there. But every college in the NCAA has academic resources for their student athletes, including Texas A&M.
I'm not going to get into whether I disagree or agree with your argument, but I would point out that there are lots of NON-student athletes that put in 40+ hour weeks in order to even afford the privilege of going to the same school.
I have no problem with support. Give them as much as they can take. I have a problem with it being the SCHOOL'S responsibility to MAKE SURE the athletes graduate when that same level of "care" is not expected for the general student population. There was plenty of support when I was a student, but I had to choose to take advantage of it... or not. In the end... you should have to want to graduate, and work for it. Not be dragged along by the scruff of your neck.