A new leader in the clubhouse

[Taras Bulba]

Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU is in with a 4: http://eatdrinkandsleepfootball.com/blog/2012/04/lsu_cb_morris_claiborne_scores_a_four_on_the_wonderlic.html

[BizidyDizidy]

Amazing how someone can attend a fine public institution of higher learning for years despite being illiterate.

[austro]

Amazing how someone can attend a fine public institution on higher learning for years despite being illiterate.

And remain academically eligible.

[Ron Brand]

Booley!

[Duke]

Amazing how someone can attend a fine public institution of higher learning for years despite being illiterate.

One of my Brother's suit mates at Rice was Ricky Pierce.  He used to carry his press clippings around with him to show people.  He would underline his name, the only part of the article he could read.  It's sad but it happens.

[HudsonHawk]

One of my Brother's suit mates at Rice was Ricky Pierce. 

One man to a suit has always been my motto.

[Outlawscotty]

One man to a suit has always been my motto.

Amen or A men as it were.

[Limey]

Amazing how someone can attend a fine public institution of higher learning for years despite being illiterate.

This.

You'd think he'd learn something by accident.

[Bench]

This.

You'd think he'd learn something by accident.

To be fair, we are talking about LSU.

[Limey]

To be fair, we are talking about LSU.

Gotcha.  Because if it was South Central Louisiana State University, Colonel Sanders would have unearthed his previously undiscovered genius.

[Jacksonian]

To be fair, we are talking about LSU.

LSU is a great place to learn about liquid volume.

[D.H.]

One of my Brother's suit mates at Rice was Ricky Pierce.  He used to carry his press clippings around with him to show people.  He would underline his name, the only part of the article he could read.  It's sad but it happens.

I went to school with your brother then. Small world.

[Limey]

LSU is a great place to learn about liquid volume.

A colleague of mine turned down LSU.  While no angel, he said he was put off when he toured one of the better dorms, and all the floors in the corridors were sticky.

Similarly, an English buddy of mine over here is dating an LSU alumness.  He loves going with her to LSU games during football season because "he has never been more drunk, for longer, anywhere else".  For an Englishman, that's quite a statement.

[Mr. Happy]

LSU is a great place to learn about liquid volume.

FIFY

[Mr. Happy]

Amazing how someone can attend a fine public institution of higher learning for years despite being illiterate.

After graduating, I worked in the Athletic Department in the area of academic counseling. The basketball players were the worst academically, and that idiot Dale Brown didn't give a shit about academics; he only had a chip on his shoulder that football got more attention from us (there were a lot more of them). One of Dale's close henchmen (ultimately banned from the program by the NCAA) explained it to me this way: "These kids are victims of circumstance. No one has bothered to challenge them on academics from the get-go. They've simply been passed on to the next grade. We give them all one more chance to learn, and we give some a chance to earn more money in their lives by playing pro than they would have ever earned otherwise. Just do your best with them." As someone mentioned, the problem is systemic and it's called greed and the love of the money by the universities. You should see some of the academic shenanigans that I uncovered while on a project for the AD just in the SEC back then. Fucking amazing. Just fucking amazing. Schools that you would otherwise respect, like Vanderbilt, were the worst transgressors.

[Limey]

After graduating, I worked in the Athletic Department in the area of academic counseling. The basketball players were the worst academically, and that idiot Dale Brown didn't give a shit about academics; he only had a chip on his shoulder that football got more attention from us (there were a lot more of them). One of Dale's close henchmen (ultimately banned from the program by the NCAA) explained it to me this way: "These kids are victims of circumstance. No one has bothered to challenge them on academics from the get-go. They've simply been passed on to the next grade. We give them all one more chance to learn, and we give some a chance to earn more money in their lives by playing pro than they would have ever earned otherwise. Just do your best with them." As someone mentioned, the problem is systemic and it's called greed and the love of the money by the universities. You should see some of the academic shenanigans that I uncovered while on a project for the AD just in the SEC back then. Fucking amazing. Just fucking amazing. Schools that you would otherwise respect, like Vanderbilt, were the worst transgressors.

Your quote explains the entire problem.  By using these players, and not educating them, they do nothing to help.  It would seem that many of these players have learning difficulties and should be in special education programs instead of athletic programs.  The potential for them to earn money in professional leagues is bullshit - the vast majority will never make it.  But, in the meantime, colleges are happy to use their athletic skills to garner national recognition for the college as an academic body.  It's an awful state of affairs.


ETA:  You sound like a liberal there, brother!

[MusicMan]

As someone mentioned, the problem is systemic and it's called greed and the love of the money by the universities.

I'll have to go back and find the quote from the executive that, when asked why schools should take so much money to become walking billboards for the company, responded "You shouldn't.  But you do, and we're not going to stop paying it."

[Mr. Happy]

Your quote explains the entire problem.  By using these players, and not educating them, they do nothing to help.  It would seem that many of these players have learning difficulties and should be in special education programs instead of athletic programs.  The potential for them to earn money in professional leagues is bullshit - the vast majority will never make it.  But, in the meantime, colleges are happy to use their athletic skills to garner national recognition for the college as an academic body.  It's an awful state of affairs.


ETA:  You sound like a liberal there, brother!

Limey: I didn't say that I agreed with him; in fact, I vehemently disagree with most of what he said. I was simply *explaining* the mindset of some out there. We did our best with them; we weren't equipped to do remedial education.

[BizidyDizidy]

After graduating, I worked in the Athletic Department in the area of academic counseling. The basketball players were the worst academically, and that idiot Dale Brown didn't give a shit about academics; he only had a chip on his shoulder that football got more attention from us (there were a lot more of them). One of Dale's close henchmen (ultimately banned from the program by the NCAA) explained it to me this way: "These kids are victims of circumstance. No one has bothered to challenge them on academics from the get-go. They've simply been passed on to the next grade. We give them all one more chance to learn, and we give some a chance to earn more money in their lives by playing pro than they would have ever earned otherwise. Just do your best with them." As someone mentioned, the problem is systemic and it's called greed and the love of the money by the universities. You should see some of the academic shenanigans that I uncovered while on a project for the AD just in the SEC back then. Fucking amazing. Just fucking amazing. Schools that you would otherwise respect, like Vanderbilt, were the worst transgressors.

This is one of the best parts of being a Stanford fan - the athletes are not on the par of the regular student body, but nowhere close to this. Only school in country where athletes have to clear the full admissions process (including essays, etc.). One of the biggest breakthroughs in football recruiting has been getting on kids earlier (i.e. as sophomores) so they can make sure they are taking the AP class load they will need to clear admissions.

[Limey]

Limey: I didn't say that I agreed with him; in fact, I vehemently disagree with most of what he said. I was simply *explaining* the mindset of some out there. We did our best with them; we weren't equipped to do remedial education.

We both disagree with what he said.  I'm glad you were trying to do something to help.

[Mr. Happy]

This is one of the best parts of being a Stanford fan - the athletes are not on the par of the regular student body, but nowhere close to this. Only school in country where athletes have to clear the full admissions process (including essays, etc.). One of the biggest breakthroughs in football recruiting has been getting on kids earlier (i.e. as sophomores) so they can make sure they are taking the AP class load they will need to clear admissions.

I agree, Biz. There's a lot to be said for Stanford's ability to produce fine athletic and academic performance. A lot of schools could learn from them.

[remy]

I want to know Griffin's score.

[subnuclear]

I agree, Biz. There's a lot to be said for Stanford's ability to produce fine athletic and academic performance. A lot of schools could learn from them.

Well, there is a small pool of people who are both really good at school and really good at sports. There aren't many schools that have an academic pedigree like Stanford and play in a real sports division (i.e. not Ivy), so it has some leverage with recruiting those kids that other schools don't.

[HudsonHawk]

Well, there is a small pool of people who are both really good at school and really good at sports. There aren't many schools that have an academic pedigree like Stanford and play in a real sports division (i.e. not Ivy), so it has some leverage with recruiting those kids that other schools don't.

Don't get me started on my issues with recruiting.

[HudsonHawk]

Only school in country where athletes have to clear the full admissions process (including essays, etc.).

I know this puts me in the minority (of even one, possibly) but it goes against everything I believe about college athletics that this is not the case at every single school.

[jbm]

The few people I knew who played football at Rice excelled academically also.  I figured they would have qualified on their own merit.  Kind of surprised to hear that about Pierce.

[HudsonHawk]

The few people I knew who played football at Rice excelled academically also.  I figured they would have qualified on their own merit.  Kind of surprised to hear that about Pierce.

In general, you can't be ten times an idiot and play at Rice, but there are definitely different admission requirements for athletes compared to the rest of the student body.  Most in the high profile sports would not get in if they weren't athletes.

[Duke]

I went to school with your brother then. Small world.

It sure is.

[austro]

The few people I knew who played football at Rice excelled academically also.  I figured they would have qualified on their own merit.  Kind of surprised to hear that about Pierce.

The football players I knew spanned the spectrum. Freshman year I had a suite mate who was a sprinter on the track team, but all he wanted to do was fire up the bong. He didn't even make it through the second semester. Come to think of it, I can't remember any track guys (who stuck) who weren't good students. The different programs probably had different expectations.

[Duke]

The few people I knew who played football at Rice excelled academically also.  I figured they would have qualified on their own merit.  Kind of surprised to hear that about Pierce.

Most of the guys he played with were good students.  Your given a shot at an excellent education by playing football why not take advantage?   Several are doctors and lawyers.  He studied architecture.  Rickly Pirece did ok after school too but he couldn't read.

[EasTexAstro]

There is also something about the testing. I was never called brilliant, but I could take a test with the best of them. I was athletic when I was younger, but I would never be considered for a pro athlete. I'd be willing to think he might not be dumber than a tree stump, but might not be able to test very well. I've known several people like that in my lifetime: people who could converse on any number of topics in multiple languages, but could barely fill out an application.

Like what was said, there are few that are gifted both intellectually and athletically.

[Limey]

Most of the guys he played with were good students.  Your given a shot at an excellent education by playing football why not take advantage?   Several are doctors and lawyers.  He studied architecture.  Rickly Pirece did ok after school too but he couldn't read.

Any other student would be required to at least demonstrate the ability to read in order to attend. Some schools bend the rules for athletes because the athletic department generates money for the school and they use that money to provide, amongst other things, scholarships to worthy students.

So if everyone's ok with this, then why not just drop the pretense and let schools sponsor and run minor league teams who develop players out of high school and hand them off to the pro leagues when they're ready?  That way, academic abilities aren't even an issue.  Every school would be on equal footing for recruiting.  The school offering the layer the best contract terms could...

Oh.

[D.H.]

It sure is.

Ricky was at Will Rice. I was at Weiss. Earl Cooper was my suitemate for two years, and is still a dear friend of mine. Rice was strong athletically then. We had great talent in football, basketball and track. I'll never forget watching us play Baylor and it was R.P. trading baskets with Terry Teagle. Another cool sports story from back then at Rice was having beers with Akeem (no "H" yet) in Willy's Pub his freshman year (drinking age was 19)- he was dating a Rice girl. It was no big deal to anyone back then.

[Trey]

Ricky was at Will Rice. I was at Weiss. Earl Cooper was my suitemate for two years, and is still a dear friend of mine. Rice was strong athletically then. We had great talent in football, basketball and track. I'll never forget watching us play Baylor and it was R.P. trading baskets with Terry Teagle. Another cool sports story from back then at Rice was having beers with Akeem (no "H" yet) in Willy's Pub his freshman year (drinking age was 19)- he was dating a Rice girl. It was no big deal to anyone back then.

Which college did you say you were in?

[HudsonHawk]

Which college did you say you were in?

Faber College.  Class of '61

[Cajun1300]

After graduating, I worked in the Athletic Department in the area of academic counseling. The basketball players were the worst academically, and that idiot Dale Brown didn't give a shit about academics; he only had a chip on his shoulder that football got more attention from us (there were a lot more of them). One of Dale's close henchmen (ultimately banned from the program by the NCAA) explained it to me this way: "These kids are victims of circumstance. No one has bothered to challenge them on academics from the get-go. They've simply been passed on to the next grade. We give them all one more chance to learn, and we give some a chance to earn more money in their lives by playing pro than they would have ever earned otherwise. Just do your best with them." As someone mentioned, the problem is systemic and it's called greed and the love of the money by the universities. You should see some of the academic shenanigans that I uncovered while on a project for the AD just in the SEC back then. Fucking amazing. Just fucking amazing. Schools that you would otherwise respect, like Vanderbilt, were the worst transgressors.

Happy, did you work with Mary Boudreaux when you were there?

[Mr. Happy]

Happy, did you work with Mary Boudreaux when you were there?

I might have, but I'm having trouble recalling that name. What did she do exactly in the department back then?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I might have, but I'm having trouble recalling that name...

How about Mary Jane and Bordeaux? No?

[Taras Bulba]

How about Mary Jane and Bordeaux? No?

Best when combined with Pink Floyd.

[ybbodeus]

There is no dark side of the moon, really.  As a matter of fact it's all dark.

[Ron Brand]

Short, sharp shock.

[Mr. Happy]

How about Mary Jane and Bordeaux? No?

I distinctly recall both of those, by golly.

[OregonStrosFan]

I distinctly recall both of those, by golly.

If you can recall either one of 'em, you weren't doin' it right.  Just sayin'...

[Cajun1300]

I might have, but I'm having trouble recalling that name. What did she do exactly in the department back then?

She has worked at the LSU Academic Center for Athletes since the mid 80's as a counselor and was an Associate Director there recently.

[Mr. Happy]

I was there in 84-85, as I recall. I remember Tommy Karam and the Colonel. Heck, Donald Ray Kennard (who preceded the Colonel) hired me.