Mason finally debunks academic restrictions myth

[smoodtwice]

Quote from Bill Nichol's article. http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/colleg ... o-1-11.ece

"Mason said SMU’s academic entrance requirements pose few problems, if any, in recruiting. Rather, he said, it’s a matter of fighting that perception."

[fifty]

Didn't he have these exact quotes like a week ago? He didn't exactly come out and say academic requirements pose few problems. Creative interpreting?

[Stallion]

It's the Myth that Won't Die

Many SMU fans have continued to perpetuate this Myth for over half a decade

The Myth bites much harder than the Truth

You are hurting the SMU football and basketball programs if you continue to criticize SMU's admission standards now-you're late to the party

[PSCA]

How does this gin up with LB quotes that "it is easier to get a kid into Duke and Stanford then SMU", or "We are SMU, have you been there, we do things a little different" referring to MK an academics.

[blackoutpony]

How does this gin up with LB quotes that "it is easier to get a kid into Duke and Stanford then SMU", or "We are SMU, have you been there, we do things a little different" referring to MK an academics.

Think LB is talking about the fact that we actually make kids go to class

[NavyCrimson]

I think you hit the nail on the head blackoutpony.

We require that & we don't change grades for them like most all other schools. (I'd like to think that anyway).

And like Mr. Hart said, & I'm paraphrasing - an SMU degree has value - not a watered-down certificate in phys-ed like most all other schools.

[Stallion]

How does this gin up with LB quotes that "it is easier to get a kid into Duke and Stanford then SMU", or "We are SMU, have you been there, we do things a little different" referring to MK an academics.

probably because he never said that

[SMU1523]

There is video proof of him saying the latter. See SMU at Indiana Post Game Interview.

[ojaipony]

How does this gin up with LB quotes that "it is easier to get a kid into Duke and Stanford then SMU", or "We are SMU, have you been there, we do things a little different" referring to MK an academics.

probably because he never said that

Yeah, I'm not sure that's a direct quote.

When I heard him say it, I kind of felt it was more of a compliment to the school really.

"The Myth" is a bit tricky because one of the things SMU has going for it is this perception (which I believe is TRUE) is that it is a top quality academic school - so saying it is "hard" is sort of a good thing. So how you mitigate that is you say what the AD and RGT are saying . . . "support". And then point out all the support we give student athletes.

What goes on behind the scenes at other programs versus SMU, personally, I have no idea. I've just "heard some things" about other schools.

[ojaipony]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH_JB-_MncE

At 6:38 minute mark.

"We're SMU . . . you ever been there? . .. we do things a little differently there" . . . and then goes on to say all the support MK is getting.

The "differently" could be we don't cheat. (And I'm not saying we don't and if we did that would be a bad thing . . . just sayin').

He didn't saying anything about it being harder than anywhere else . . . not in that part of the clip anyway . . .

[PSCA]

Yes, i was referring to the video on my second part ... which was real close to what I stated he said Stallion. On my first point ... someone posted weeks ago quoting LB who was at a on-campus meeting of some sort (Frat, student body?? .. I don't recall) and that person quoted LB stating my first part. This kicked up the academic debate again back then. There is no video proof of this point, just what the person who posted stated he said.

[PSCA]

Side note: I was told face-face by some one in the Athletic department that deals with Student/Athlete admissions early on in his SMU tenure, that LB was going to have difficulties getting in some of the kids he wanted. I have not asked that person since then, they may have been wrong, and/or things could have changed. But, the video clip of LB to me ... does not come off as a coach bragging on or complimenting anything or anyone .... just MO.

I hate this phrase ... but "it is what it is" ... they will change what they can and/or want ... and you go out and sell your program/school and its strengths ... in the case of SMU that is A LOT ... great education included

[Puckhead48E]

Everything I have seen from Mason is along this same line...the fact that perception equals reality no matter the facts. Sadly, the extreme animus all have towards JJ (rightfully so, because his crap cannon of misinformation spewed lies 24/7) caused some to paint Mason's statements with the same brush due to semantics.

The truth is out there, but expressing that is a balancing act. SMU has changed those prior exclusionary policies that limited or prevented success athletically. How much does the wide dissemination of this potentially impact the perception of the school as an academic institution above others...and is there a negative tangible impact? As someone who lives outside the region now, I can say that few know SMU for anything other than the DP, and all academic numbers are viewed through the lens of bias against Texas as a state of uneducated idiots and simpletons. Well, I do live in PA now...they would know about uneducated idiots and simpletons.

[Puckhead48E]

Heck, just get the comments Proche made and broadcast those. Those, along with the actual numbers about athlete acceptance, would do more than anything else. "SMU will accept you...but you really should want those standards because SMU will take you and make you a better person and a better athlete. Success in life is paramount...and that is what SMU offers."

[NavyCrimson]

Agree.

Plus - I don't think our new head football coach would have taken this job if there were any academic admissions' obstacles in the first place.

I'm sure the coaching community was & still well aware of JJ's antics & lies or we would have never had an excellent selection of coaches to pick from.

Truthful words travel fast & lies travel even faster. We just need someone who will recruit & sell our school.