SMU should reinstate JACKSON and HALL..

[westexSMU]

it is unbelievable the way admissions canned these guys "after" the final hour was up. It doesn't even matter whether admissions thinks these young men can succeed here or not at this point. What matters is that these young men be allowed to reach their dream at a Div.1 school. These are quality young men. There is No Honor at all in the way this was handled by whoever is in charge. There is only one solution at this point and that is clearly for SMU to go ahead and reinstate both Jackson and Hall NOW.

[Samurai Stang]

Agreed. Even if they decide to go elsewhere, it is important that the university apologize for the disrespect with which they have treated Jackson and Hall.

[maiken71]

Agreed. Even if they decide to go elsewhere, it is important that the university apologize for the disrespect with which they have treated Jackson and Hall.

I'd go elsewhere if I were treated like they have been. An apology would help the negative pub right now though. The high schools where the kids came from should be given an apology too. The coaches won't want to talk to SMU about future players if they don't at least explain what happened.

[Alaric]

Agreed. Even if they decide to go elsewhere, it is important that the university apologize for the disrespect with which they have treated Jackson and Hall.

I'd go elsewhere if I were treated like they have been. An apology would help the negative pub right now though. The high schools where the kids came from should be given an apology too. The coaches won't want to talk to SMU about future players if they don't at least explain what happened.

Big coup for the anti-football crowd at SMU since anyone close to the edge won't want to consider us going forward. Our pool of potential talent just shrank 50%.

[HFvictory]

Shouldn't they be instated before they can be reinstated?

[PK]

Shouldn't they be instated before they can be reinstated?

Picky, picky. Don't get so damn technical...it's a message board.

[Pony ^]

if they are an NCAA qualifier they should be an SMU qualifier. Ridiculous..Thanks a lot Bin Laden

[Charleston Pony]

the timing of this notice to the kids was horrible...no question about that...but to conclude these guys should be reinstated without having the facts is a bit of a reach. I have no idea what kind of students these guys are. I trust the coaches' decisions on whether they would be successful as athletes, but remember that SMU doesn't have an array of courses to keep marginal "student-athletes" eligible and that's part of the equation as well. With our recent academic casualties among guys who were admitted and had been in school for a while, I've got to believe that has the administration taking a closer look at our recruits.

I agree it would be nice if the process was faster...for the kids' sake. I just hope they still have an opportunity to catch on somewhere that will offer them a free ride without having to sit out a year. Hopefully this will all work out for these guys in the end. Situation would be just as bad if they were to come here and then not be able to remain eligible.

Allowing admissions is one issue, but SMU is at a decided disadvantage in terms of offering programs to keep guys in school. I'm reminded of that when I watch Clemson and South Carolina games and see how many guys are majoring in "Parks and Recreation" and "African American Studies". I don't think those programs are routinely offered...certainly not at small private schools

[SoCal_Pony]

I trust the coaches' decisions on whether they would be successful as athletes, but remember that SMU doesn't have an array of courses to keep marginal "student-athletes" eligible and that's part of the equation as well.

Sorry CP, but I am calling COMPLETE BS on your statement above.

You think for one moment JJ doesn't understand that at SMU, the athletes must also excel academically???

If they fail in the classroom they are of no benefit to JJ, yet he felt comfortable enough to offer them scholarships.

[SMU2007]

remember that SMU doesn't have an array of courses to keep marginal "student-athletes" eligible and that's part of the equation as well.

that's a joke. tcu has the same classes we have and they take guys that are just as marginal without problem.

[NickSMU17]

Doesn't TCU have undergrad education major and physical therapy??

I think they have easier programs in place...

plus, it is just an easier school in general

[Stallion]

whatever TCU is doing they are doing it right. They have success on the field, success with APR and graduation and they only sign 18-20 per year, generally among the most highly recruited non-BCS Classes, to achieve repeated outstanding success. I know some are saying who cares what TCU is doing. It would be wise for us to open our eyes and find out ASAP.

[Hoop Fan]

no crap, why is it so hard to figure out? have to think Turner or somebody is an obstacle of some kind. TCU and several other have seemed to figure out how to do it and do it respectably enough.

[PK]

Well for starters, TCU has a Board dedicated to making TCU athletics the best that they can as well as being dedicated to making the improvements necessary to increase TCU's academic quality and reputation. They have found that winning athletics, especially football, increases the interest in the university and increases the applications rate for incoming students. Despite last years success for SMU football and the increases in applications for enrollment and in donations, I'm not sure the SMU academic community has yet to see the correlation.

[PonyKai]

Well for starters, TCU has a Board dedicated to making TCU athletics the best that they can as well as being dedicated to making the improvements necessary to increase TCU's academic quality and reputation. They have found that winning athletics, especially football, increases the interest in the university and increases the applications rate for incoming students. Despite last years success for SMU football and the increases in applications for enrollment and in donations, I'm not sure the SMU academic community has yet to see the correlation.

I'm sure that a beefed-up, robust Spanish department would really do wonders for advertising and increasing interest in the University. Let's make it happen!!!