Ok that makes sense. Sort of. But also says the “graduate student”’status to maintain eligibility is a bit of a farce. These guys aren’t working towards any graduate degree. This guy in particular is just taking one class to maintain athletic eligibility. Maybe I’m naïve, but this is quite the eye-opener.
Not as "crooked" as it seems when you factor in summer classes. Taking a class to remain eligible as a grad student doesn't mean a guy like CG hasn't earned his degree(s). Think Miller Kopp graduates in December, will probably take "Sandwich Making" second semester to stay eligible. Doesn't always mean fraud, though I'm sure it happens.
I think CG said he hasn’t been there in a couple weeks, which I assume it’s because he’s been playing in the tourney. Besides, you can’t compare graduate studies to undergrad. Depending on the discipline class time isn’t nearly as important in grad school.
I don't think it's much different. Per this recent article, they can be part-time students, 6 hrs. [see #9]. Like Chicago bound, I thought the rule was that you had to be a FT student. When did that change? Yes, you can find 4 easy classes, but you can't do that forever and at least they'd be FT students.
For their sakes, we should hope that’s not the case. Less than 2 percent of college athletes become professional athletes and obviously not all of them make a mint. The vast majority of college athletes should not neglect the student part of student-athlete and we shouldn’t encourage them to neglect it either.
Agreed, and that’s been going on for decades. We’re not talking 12 credit hours. We’re talking one class, probably three credit hours. That’s barely even a student
Beginning in the 1970's, the "Mount Rule" required all undergrad athletes to make "academic progress" toward a degree equivalent to their fellow students to retain eligibility. There were minimum numbers of cumulative credits required at the beginning of each year, and the SA had to successfully complete a minimum of 12 hours the prior semester. The athlete also had to complete those hours in a degree-granting program. So while the degree-program could be a laugher (and many schools had easy degree programs for both athletes and non-athletes), athletes could not just take 12 random hours of nothing each semester and remain eligible.
My experience in grad school was completelly different. In a number of classes class participation was a key grade component.
I don't think we should encourage them to neglect it, but I also dont think we need to force them. Primarly in mens football and basketball. All other sports should be treated differently than these revenue sports. So much money is involved now, if some athletes just want to take a class or two, I dont think you are gonna see anyone complaining going forward.
As I said, I think it would be a bad thing for them and for society if we don't require them to at least try to obtain a degree while they're attending college. Look at all the former IU basketball players that were on good to great IU basketball teams that didn't make the pros but got their degrees and are doing well as a result. Doctors, Businessmen, etc., etc. Most players at IU and other top basketball programs (as we have been and will be) probably think they have a chance at the NBA when in reality most of them don't. A degree to fall back on is a good thing and many might not pursue it if it weren't a requirement because they're going to get rich playing pro ball (so they think).
Hey I get it, but the days of forcing people to do things when money is involved are coming to an end. Just the reality! Even it is the best thing for them.
The percentage of D-1 athletes, no matter what the sport, that go pro is very small nor have no idea the difference between college ball & the pros. I had a cousin that played football at IU in the early '70s, was a starter for 3 years. He went on to play in the NFL for 5 years. At 6'8" 260# he was one of the biggest players on the team at IU. When he got to the pros he said a lot of the players were as big or bigger & faster than he was. He once told me if going from high school to D1 was 10x harder, going from D1 to the pros was a 100x harder.
I gotta hand it to you. Every time I think you have maxed out your level of stupidity, you top yourself. Bravo. It is remarkable that every single point you posited in that statement is dead wrong. Congrats on a new milestone, you ignorant, intellectually-addled fvck (and I say that with the highest level of regard).
Who cares about college athletics then? Why should a team of young players who are getting paid to play and pretending to be students and pretending to be working towards a degree mean anything at all to any other current student or alumni? The connection is just not there.
AKA...... let the NBA (China) pay for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They represent the university either way. You really care if someone is working towards a general studies degree or not?
Yes, it matter to me that they are students. Even if they are getting tutors and other support. If they are not students, they don't represent the university in my mind. They are just hired performers.
I think of it as an apprenticeship. Those kids are learning way more life skills on a college sports team than they ever would sitting through a couple hours of lectures a day and partying every night. They’re learning discipline, accountability, teamwork, etc. College is about maturing and learning life skills. I would argue the athletes are getting more from their experience than 90% of the students.
Then they could do the same interning for corporations. If there is no need to work toward a degree, let them work for Cook, or Cummins, or J.B. Hunt truck driving school. Change it to a European model and let educational institutions get the hell out of the college sports business. We could just root for our favorite local employer like the old AAU industrial leagues.
ahhh what the hell lets see what happens
