Can you think of any part of your college that doesn't have an educational purpose?

These jocks are always called 'student-athletes' around here.

While ADGEE does have a point, which is that [ unfortunatly] some sports at some schools do/can get a "free pass", I do agree with your core agument much more.

Sad isnt is?

We as Greeks have a normally higher GPA and are so called heathens, while some who play sports cannot write their name, count money or make sense when they talk on graduation.:o

Some Greeks also manage to graduate from their respective colleges without mastering the basic concepts of lucid conversation.

Yeah, athletics :) Football games, basketball games, etc.. they're all about making money and gaining prestige and perhaps developing school pride, they're not about academics! I don't really know whether colleges look at the highschool grades of stellar athletes who are being recruited on athletic scholarships, but I'm guessing that it's not a huge part of the picture. MAYBE at some of the more selective universities, it is considered, but more often than not, I don't think it is.

Is it right? Probably not. Then again, is it right that a good pro-sports player will make more in his lifetime than a brain surgeon? Probably not. Welcome to the good ole US of A! Our societies values are screwed up. The people we trust to care for our kids and take of our elderly relatives are some of the lowest paid people in our society. The people who entertain us on TV, in movies and in the sports arena are some of the highest. It's simply our reality.

Are there no NCAA sanctions for grad. rates?
 

The NCAA tracks the grad. rates. Is the only punishment being exposed for the low ones and praised for the high ones? Could a school never have any athletes graduate as still remain in good NCAA standing?

It is interesting to note the small sample involved here: 12 or so guys and the years involved: the end of the Herrick era.

Keep in mind, that some don't graduate because they go into the NFL, NBA, etc.

If you are very good at what you do, sport wise......chances are you are going to be getting paid for it sooner than later anyways......so grades wouldn't be that big of an issue.

But think of all the college athletes out there, then think of how many professional athletes there are. Top basketball players will not necesarily end up in the NBA, and they are one broken ankle away from losing everything, and having no education.

I was a big U of Illinois fan throughout grade school and high school and they make a big deal about their athletes graduating with a degree. That is what college is for. And, even if you do go the NBA, you should have some business sense (or SOMETHING) so that you don't get screwed over by everyone with an "investment opportunity" that comes your way.

Exactly!

That is why I said "very good." Most "very good" D1 college athletes are going to play their sport professionaly.

Unless they break something, or get hit upside the head one to many times, etc.

You also didn't address the rest of my post.

Young professional athletes don't necessarily need an education in business to stay ahead of the game as far as i'm concerened. ......thats what financial advisors and sports agents are for.

I don't know much about the University of Illinois....but I have alot of experience with D1 Athletics because I played baseball for a year in college and was heavily recruited out of high school. College coaches and athletic departments in this day and age don't care about what kind of grades you make and if you graduate. They care about you making a 2.0, staying elligable, and helping the team which helps bring in millions upon millions of dollars of revenue to the school. Sure, they want to see their kids do well and succeed......but winning __(insert sport here)___ games is their main priority......not making sure kids graduate.

I cannot remember the persons nmae, from Creighton Un in Omaha who graduated signed with the NBA and could not read or write, so he had to go back to school and start out with grade school education all over again!

Sad isnt it?:(

Couldnt even read his contract!