Memo

[1983 Cotton Bowl]

[quote="Longtime"]From what I read into this, June Jones has been under the impression that he can get anyone into SMU that meets NCAA minimums. Whether this is actually what he was told is up for debate. But the fact that every borderline case, until now, had been admitted to SMU obviously gave him and his assistants the impression that they can get anyone in who meets NCAA minimums.

The truth of the matter is that not everyone who meets NCAA minimums is accepted by SMU, and that truth reared its ugly head with the two kids this summer. It made Jones and his coaches look bad for not preparing the kids for the worst, it makes SMU look bad because the decision came so late - but it was the kids' borderline status, i.e. needing spring semester grades, that caused the delay.

So in the future, Jones and his staff are supposed to be up front to the borderline cases they sign that they could be denied admission. Of course, to them, this is like recruiting with one hand tied behind your back.

But even the two kids who were denied admission were given a one-semester placement at a local junior college with GUARANTEED admission to SMU in January if they pass their transferable classes. What's the difference between this and grayshirting? It sounds like a better deal than grayshirting because of the admission guarantee.

Sounds to me like the football coaches just need to tell the borderline recruits there's a chance they may have to grayshirt - delay enrollment until January - if they don't pass the appeals process. If this is a problem for them, they should keep their options open. It's not as clear-cut as saying, "If the NCAA approves you, we approve you" but there are a lot of kids signed as grayshirts on signing day.[/quote]


Some very good points here. I'm in the Stallion/PonyBoy camp on this one. Much uninformed and toally unfair criticism has been heaped upon my alma mater from top to bottom (with the exception of the holy and righteous football coaching staff) over this one.

[Cardinal Puff]

Still troubled by the memo reducing football to an auxiliary program.

[SMU2007]

I feel horrible for Hall and Jackson, but I'm very proud that SMU has its academic standards.

Yea I'm so proud we set the bar at an SAT score of 900. At least a bar in the sense that you are subject to further review if you have below a 900. Way to go SMU -- hooray!! I am really proud that we require our football players to read and write! Way more proud than having a championship team!

I love how everyone complains about having "dumb" players who won't graduate but don't worry about the countless people who fail out every year due to drugs/alcohol/whatever else. Give me a great DB or LB who will fail out after a year or two over some jackas.s fraternity guy that will fail out for partying too hard and skipping class every day.

[Charleston Pony]

another couple of winning seasons and bowl victories and this will not be nearly as much of an issue as it is today; thanks to all who donate to enhance the support these guys get once they are admitted

[LakeHighlandsPony]

Turner and Co. are starting to resemble the bumbling idiots at 1600 Pennsylvania. Its Amateur hour everywhere.

[San Antonio Mustang]

I want to thank the individuals who have donated money for the extra academic support for all our athletes. I have stated here and in communication with our administration that I believe that additional support is essential. The fact that we have had to have the admissions committee review the applications of so many is evidence of the disadvantaged background many of our student athletes have. Some were given a pass in high school because of their athletic ability. That was unfair because they arrive at SMU without the same background as their classmates. Some come from schools that simply do not meet the academic standards of their competition. And then some come from families that did not encourage academic achievement. These student athletes need encouragement and help in learning what they should have learned in high school. I applaud what the SMU is doing in this regard and would urge the administration to do even more.