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the article completely omits discussions of NCAA Academic Progress Toward Degree requirements which I believe is almost certainly at the heart of the SMU athletic department policy. Now if we are just trying to save a few bucks its ridiculous but I doubt it.

http://www.smudailycampus.com/news/athl ... -1.1739885

"The number of class drops has plummeted," he wrote. "In round numbers, student athletes had 140 drops in the spring of 2009 and just 20 in the spring of 2010."

Well...if someone can no longer do something, the frequency of that occurence has a high probability of falling. Or am I missing something? That's kind of like saying the number of accidents have dropped greatly after you ban all driving except for Tuesday and Thursday night from 11:00 pm - 03:00 am. Duh, of course it's going to drop.

If they can get assistance in the class which would ultimately allow them to pass rather than drop then this can be a positive thing for both school and athlete. You can lose your eligibility by too few hours just as easily as failing classes. Get them help, have them pass and we have the best of both worlds.

LOL! Well said - Stlhockeyguy02

Stlhockeyguy02 wrote:"The number of class drops has plummeted," he wrote. "In round numbers, student athletes had 140 drops in the spring of 2009 and just 20 in the spring of 2010."

Well...if someone can no longer do something, the frequency of that occurence has a high probability of falling. Or am I missing something? That's kind of like saying the number of accidents have dropped greatly after you ban all driving except for Tuesday and Thursday night from 11:00 pm - 03:00 am. Duh, of course it's going to drop.

One of my all-time favorite lines to hate (that is statistical in nature) is when people say "most accidents happen within five miles of the home". Well, no [deleted]. I only live 7 miles from work, so over 70% of my daily commute is within 5 miles of my home. I am at home (sleeping or otherwise) about 40%+ of every week, and the majority of my errands (dry cleaning, etc) are done at businesses close to my house. So in an average week, if nearly 2/3rds of my time is spent within 5 miles of my home, doesn't it stand to reason that the probability of any accident I might get in is going to be within that radius? Freakin' duh!

Hoss-
One of my all-time favorite lines to hate (that is statistical in nature) is when people say "most accidents happen within five miles of the home". Well, no [deleted]. I only live 7 miles from work, so over 70% of my daily commute is within 5 miles of my home. I am at home (sleeping or otherwise) about 40%+ of every week, and the majority of my errands (dry cleaning, etc) are done at businesses close to my house. So in an average week, if nearly 2/3rds of my time is spent within 5 miles of my home, doesn't it stand to reason that the probability of any accident I might get in is going to be within that radius? Freakin' duh![/quote]

Hoss your example proves the point. Statistically the majority of your driving is within 5 miles of your residence and therefore the higher chance of an accident. On the other hand, you should be so familiar with the area, roads, turn lanes, lights....etc. that you should actually be less prone to accidents as there are no surprises and unknowns including experience in all weather conditions. Problem is that you become so familiar with the area that you get complacent and careless resulting in accidents. You can read stats many ways.

My statistical pet peeve is "auto accidents are the leading cause of death for age 18-25". Well good! What else should it be?

couch 'em wrote:My statistical pet peeve is "auto accidents are the leading cause of death for age 18-25". Well good! What else should it be?

Drug-fueled automatic weapon fatalities!

Well I guess if I were the coach of an opposing school I would use this against SMU in recruiting for sure.

I wish you were the opposing coach then.

"Yes maam Mrs.Mother of great player, don't send your kid to SMU. They will not let him drop classes. They are going to counsel them and use whatever means they can to get your kid a degree. Now send you kid to our school, and your son can drop classes, become ineligible and end up working for one of those SMU kids. He will always have work as long as those SMU people are making kids pass their classes."

I had a class when I was at SMU with which I had difficulty. I asked the prof to let me drop the class. She asked that I merely apply myself to the best of my ability and promised that things would work out. Just that simple. Sometimes it may be in the best interest to drop a class but most of the time I would bet that counseling, tutoring, and effort will get the kid through and he will be better off for doing it that way. He will get more hours faster and remain eligible.