Have Academic Casualties...

[PoconoPony]

Academic issues involving football athletes had been a problem at SMU since I can remember. I recall the frosh class of 1964 lost roughly 6 after the first semester and 11 more at the end of the first year. Some went to JCs and returned, but most disappeared. Never-the-less, some quality kids survived including Jerry LeVias.

[westexSMU]

Where are the academic advisors for these guys ? Coaches are doing a great job recruiting, but you've got to keep them in school. You just can't afford to have several of your Top 1st & 2nd team guys flunking out.

[High Horse]

Three strike policy clearly addresses going to class, but in some cases that does not seem to make a difference. Some guys still don't go. Most guys who are in academic trouble are assigned to study hall and see their advisor weekly. At some point, players need to value being on the team even if they do not value their education and do what they need to do to stay on it. I could be wrong on this, but I think that means signing up for at least 12 hours and passing 6. Everyone started the semester with a bowl victory under their belt, you would think that might serve as some motivation.

[reddevil]

I also question the Texas public school system. Is it really preparing these kids that poorly for college? I graduated from SMU within the last ten years after going to a public school near Chicago (Illinois is not known for have a stellar public school system). When I was at SMU I recall most classes being challenging to get an A, easy to get a B and all you had to do was show up to get a C. What has changed? Why can't the Texas public school system prepare these students to succeed better.

[Alaric]

"Dont need to recruit kids who cant make it here" is a phrase we need to dump in the trash forever. We need to make sure the kids we need to win - that everyone else can go get

Yea, asinine statement by PonyDoh

[PonyDoh]

This is like rich old white guy central, discussing the academic woes of kids who would never go to a class ever, if not for football or hoops. Basketball is far worse in terms of finding recruitable athletes. Some of the transcripts are just so cooked it's scary. Don't blame the school systems, cause the problem runs so much deeper.

in hoops, Fabyon Harris didn't even have a 1.0 in his core work before they alledgedly bumped him up to a stellar 1.3 or so, to make his ACT somewhat attainable, provided he jumped 4 or so points. I mean come on. Not to hi- jack, but SMU hoops would have spent more time keeping him eligible then teaching him to use the high pick effectively.

I took a ton of easy classes at SMU, all had SMU football players & hoops guys, and none of them ever truly thrived, even in gut classes. Simply, there is no middle ground. If you want to compete at the highest level, you better have a school/majors designed to give the kids passing grades, regardless of their ability to actually do the work. Show effort, attend class, play big on Saturday, graduate.

[ponyinNC]

We can blame everyone...teachers, parents, school system, etc.

Bottom line is that these are grown MEN, and they should be responsible for their lives. Some don't try, some don't show up, some think education is not important...that is a fact.

For those that are simply having difficulty with the material...go to your teacher, go to your academic advisor...hell, go to Coach Jones...there are so many resources for athletes at this school that the regular student poulation does not have access to, use them!

[ALEX LIFESON]

Academic issues involving football athletes had been a problem at SMU since I can remember. I recall the frosh class of 1964 lost roughly 6 after the first semester and 11 more at the end of the first year. Some went to JCs and returned, but most disappeared. Never-the-less, some quality kids survived including Jerry LeVias.

That was a very long time ago. SMU has had an approximate 90% graduation rate, over the last five years.

[Mestengo]

[quote="PonyDoh"]This is like rich old white guy central,

No you didn't!

[EastStang]

There will be casualties. Some of these kids just are not college material and unfortunately freshman year culls the herd. Its a fact. If the NFL instituted the minor league that they bandied about a few years ago, you would see a sea of change in the NCAA. College football would start to look like college baseball where kids actually have a choice of going pro or going to college. And those that choose college choose good schools (any wonder why Rice, Tulane, Stanford, UVa have great baseball programs?).

[ALEX LIFESON]

It would help some of these kids, if they would just go to class everyday, and stay past roll call. And stop spending so much time on facebook!

[Alaric]

If you want to compete at the highest level, you better have a school/majors designed to give the kids passing grades, regardless of their ability to actually do the work. Show effort, attend class, play big on Saturday, graduate.

Now this makes sense from you...of course I want all the kids to strive but if the same kid can stay eligible at Tech and TCU but not here, we're not where we need to be.

having marginal students help our football and basketball programs garner visibility will ultimately help us get better students in the classroom

[2112]

cry me a river

[ponydawg]

Froggies following this thread. Kind of understand why they hate us.

http://www.killerfrogs.com/msgboard/ind ... pic=114856

[ponywhupp9202]

OK, so I just skimmed all 8 pages here. Am I the only one who does not know who missed their grades? I am guessing that it has not been publicly announced yet, or did I truly miss it?