Originally Posted by WrestlingTerp  If the measure was truly about academics that would be fine. But this isn't. For instance we had a wrestler transfer from Maryland with a 3.5 GPA because he wanted to be closer to home. We are penalized under the APR for this.
Recruiting is hardly an exact science. You recruit an athlete who has a good high school GPA and good SATs. They are required to attend study hall sessions as freshmen until they can prove the are able to handle work at the college level. But the kid refuses to go to class and flunks out after a year. By all indications the kid should have succeeded academically but, short of the coach escorting him to class every day, there is only so much you can do.
As for basketball. If an athlete has exhausted eligibility, is in good academic standing but still short of a degree, but has an opportunity to play professional basketball in Europe for well over $100k per year....what do you do?
Also consider that every school doesn't grant credit for the same things nor do they have the exact same academic calendar. For example, Duke's semester ends nearly one month earlier than Marylands so their bball players only have to go to class for another couple of weeks after the season and can then enter the recruiting combines. Add to that that Duke grants credit for summer overseas basketball tours of Europe while Maryland doesn't.
This is another example of the NCAA forcing a one size fits all "solution" on member institutions in an effort to whitewash the problem. |
Once again, if this system isn't working properly, then the NCAA should change it. Maybe APR standards should not apply to freshmen. Relative fairness between different colleges and conferences is something the NCAA needs to work out, but it's not an excuse.
College is a commitment that requires sacrifices just like other things in life. If a guy can't complete his degree because he chooses a work opportunity instead, that's his choice not to complete his commitment. How much money he stands to make may factor into his choice, but it doesn't factor into his commitment.
If athletes are attending college just to play sports, they shouldn't be attending college. College is about education. There are athletes who graduate and can't read. This is shameful.
If all students do well, special cases won't matter because the team average will be above the line. College work is not remedial. If you can't make passing grades, you shouldn't be in college, and you shouldn't be on a college team.
Re: APR Penalities 
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