Caution, please
Chuck Amato was trying the other day to explain how his team could lose to Akron. The gap between the Zips and the BCS isn't as great as the casual observer might think, he said. Or at least he meant to say. It would have been far more diplomatic, accurate and sensible to leave it at that. But no.
Amato proceeded to explain that Akron derives some of its strength from an ability to admit some players who fail to meet NCAA freshman eligibility requirements. The ACC can't take such players.
And he didn't stop there. According to the coach, a non-qualifier's talent level and his grade-point average are inversely proportional. He has arrived at this conclusion after earnest study, we assume.
And people of Italian descent all like red wine, pasta, Mafia flicks and afternoon naps.
But perhaps the biggest problem with the unnecessary display of whining was the drive-by shooting of the academic reputations of the programs at Fresno State, Boise State and Louisville, all of which Amato mentioned by name as safe houses for the academically marginal. Amato said one coach -- you really couldn't tell whether he meant Akron, Fresno, Boise, Louisville or exactly who -- admitted to signing 10 non-qualifiers in a single year.
For the record, Akron's got three non-qualifiers on its roster. It took one such prospect last year. Not 10.
If you're going to level such accusations, you had better be sure your own academic house is built on firm, high ground. Amato's isn't.
Something called the APR (Academic Progress Rate) is the NCAA's newest numerical means off measuring student-athletes' achievement in the college classroom. State's number is 933, good for last in the ACC. Akron's is 931. The national average for football is 929.
In case you're curious:
Fresno State: 950
Boise State: 948
Louisville: 940
N.C. State: 933
Akron: 931
Division I-A average: 929
NCAA cut-off point: 925
Akron's athletics director declined comment this week. He showed greater restraint than the coach he just beat.
ACC APRs
BC 982
Duke 975
Wake 970
FSU 959
Miami 956
Va 956
Ga Tech 948
Maryland 947
UNC 943
Clemson 940
Va Tech 935
N.C. State 933
Comments (2)
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Rob - what is the criteria for the rating?
Posted on September 12, 2006 4:54 PM
Chip: The easiest way I can explain the APR is that it measures retention rate and does not penalize programs when players leave before graduation but while still in good academic standing. It's not a GPA thing.
Posted on September 12, 2006 6:12 PM