Grade Fixing?

[Danny Noonan]

Why didn't Arkansas get in trouble for this? Because it didn't happen. You shouldn't base your entire theory off what a known lier said in a newspaper article.

First, it is not what he said in a newspaper but in a court of law.

Secondly, the $291,000 withdrawals and the $150,000 payment were easily traced and also proven in a court of law.

Thirdly, although not as thoroughly reported in this article, it was known that Arkansas was heavily recruiting this kid...(they have their Stallion's as well).

Fourthly and most importantly, you did not answer the most fundamental question. If Alabama was the only school 'offering' this kid, why were they paying him so much $$$....because you can call this Alabama booster a lot of things, but unaware of the market value of these kids would not be one of them.

And finally to JT....good answer, I knew you had it in you.

Lots of schools were recruiting him. He was a stud. Doesn't mean they all paid for him. And Lang saying they did certainly doesn't make it true.

You said they easily traced the payments back to Alabama. Why didn't they trace payments back to all these other schools.

I'm sure Young knew the market value for Means. Who do you think he got that value from? I seriously doubt he got it from the other schools. He got it from Lang, who was shopping his player around behind his back.

[EastStang]

Yes, we deserved the DP, and other schools have learned that you have to "cooperate" with the NCAA investigation (not thwart it as we did to ensure Clements Gubernatorial re-election). Fresno State comes to mind. After flipping a great big finger at the NCAA by hiring Tark and then committing serial violations, they self-reported and lost one post season of play. But, some of the shear bravado these days in academic fraud and in payola is mind-boggling. How many former or current AAU coaches of stud players are not getting consultant fees from boosters? How many former or current AAU coaches are getting "donations" to their programs from boosters. How many former or present AAU coaches are getting cars donated to their programs? The NCAA hasn't even gotten into this cesspool yet. There are players out there with their hands out. With the NBA and NFL starting developmental leagues, its going to get uglier. Then the bidding starts at the price set by the NBA and NFL, and rogue schools will have to out-bid that.

[tmustangp]

there was a running back who played in the nfl in the late 80's and early 90's, brooks was his last name, who got a psychology degree from auburn and he was illiterate.. read that some years back and think its hilarious..

[mrydel]

If a kid can not read when he gets to college it is not the University's fault. I find it sad rather than humorous.

[Danny Noonan]

there was a running back who played in the nfl in the late 80's and early 90's, brooks was his last name, who got a psychology degree from auburn and he was illiterate.. read that some years back and think its hilarious..

James Brooks. Graduated in 1981.

[EastStang]

No, but its really sad if after four years they're still illiterate. Add in Dexter Manley at OSU. At the very least, the school ought to do something to teach them to read and write so that they can at least find work after they use up their eligibility. Any professor who reads a paper can tell if the student is illiterate or not (except of course if someone is writing the papers for that student). The NCAA give all football players when they've used up their eligibility an SAT (verbal) test. That the NCAA monitors. If the student can't get at least a 400 after four or five years of college, the school should lose a scholarship for four years.

[mrydel]

I never had one professor ask me if I could read, nor should they have to. People get others to do their work for them all the time whether or not they can read. I think too much emphais is placed on the University for not knowing students can read or write. One should never take too much for granted but the assumption of being able to read and write in college is ok by me. Grade fixing, others substituting papers or tests, things like that should be monitored. Why are people not shaming the elementary schools that these kids that are illiterate attended?

[SoCal_Pony]

I have a friend who was a TA at SMU. He is a smart guy, credible and not one to exaggerate.

He told me he was convinced one of the SMU FB players he taught was illiterate.

That player went on to have an NFL career. Every poster on this board over 40 would recognize his name.

I personally have no problem with colleges accepting an occasional illiterate, as long as they teach them to read before they leave.

[jtstang]

That should be part of our effort at academic reform to assist in recruiting. A Reading major.

[ponyte]

My roommate in school was a TA. He would share some of our teammate’s papers. It was sad to see that some of our teammates were functionally illiterate. Cash Birdwell once shared a letter he received from a college grad (not an SWC school) that was functionally illiterate. It does happen that one gets through school without the knowledge to read or write. What was and still is a very fond memory was to see many of my teammates that were border line (not intelligence but in preparation to college) students that worked hard and got a degree. Needless to say these folks didn't go on to the NFL but I have a much higher level of respect and admiration for their accomplishments than all the NFL players put together.

[EastStang]

I really feel that anyone who spends four years at SMU ought to be able to read when they leave. If we made the mistake of admitting them (due to someone SAT cheating or what have you) at the very least we should make it so that they can get by after they use up their eligibility, or we should send them packing the first day of practice. In a perfect world, every Division 1 coach should hand a recruit a book, and ask that recruit to read a page to him out loud. Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world.

[mrydel]

OK. I give up. Let's be sure that we have a remedial course in how to wipe your butt and blow your nose. I still can not comprehend why we should not expect student athletes to be able to read when they come to school. Why not just start admittng 6 year olds if they are not supposed to be learning anything in the lower level schools. I for one do not want my professors wasting time checking to see if students can read and write. I do not want the coaches spending their time seeing if the student athletes can read and write. But I guess I am in the minority here. So let's be sure we have an "Introductory to Real Life in the Real World" for all incoming Freshman. And be sure not to mention any of this to the elementary schools where these kids went to school because in this PC world we sure do not want to hurt any feelings.

[smu diamond m]

OK. I give up. Let's be sure that we have a remedial course in how to wipe your butt and blow your nose. I still can not comprehend why we should not expect student athletes to be able to read when they come to school. Why not just start admittng 6 year olds if they are not supposed to be learning anything in the lower level schools. I for one do not want my professors wasting time checking to see if students can read and write. I do not want the coaches spending their time seeing if the student athletes can read and write. But I guess I am in the minority here. So let's be sure we have an "Introductory to Real Life in the Real World" for all incoming Freshman. And be sure not to mention any of this to the elementary schools where these kids went to school because in this PC world we sure do not want to hurt any feelings.

So true. So true.

[FordtoTolbert]

...my man ET made a 6 on a computer test, out of 100, one time (he sat next to me..), how do you get a 6 out of 100? Two days later, the stud was destroying the Baylor Bears secondary...I said, what test?? HA!

[smu diamond m]

...my man ET made a 6 on a computer test, out of 100, one time (he sat next to me..), how do you get a 6 out of 100? Two days later, the stud was destroying the Baylor Bears secondary...I said, what test?? HA!

lol....