NCAA Should Bar Low Graduation Rate Schools From March Madness

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These athletes that are receiving scholarships from these schools should have their feet held to the fire as should the schools. They should be taking classes that matter and having to get the grades. I am particularly angry about this topic this year because I have a son who scored a 22 out of 24 on his SAT's first try, maintains a 3.9 GPA while taking all AP classes and got not cent from the local university while they offered free rides to two high school football players who have GPA's below a 3. I am sick to death of this. Give those scholarships to kids who deserve them. If you are lucky enough to get a free ride or money from a college because of your athletic ability then you better get the grades.

Mom of WA 9:25PM April 06, 2010

Indeed time to raise the bar. Raising the graduation rate incrementally by 10% /yr to 70% should be the standard for tournament entry. Begin with a minimum standard of 40% and apply the number to tournamnet qualification beginning 2011.
This will increase the standards all the way back to High/Prep school.

Bill Parsons 12:58PM March 31, 2010

Athletes should stop USING college as a stepping stone to the NBA. College is school and school equals education. Stop taking the place of someone who WANTs to learn and better themselves Find your spotlight some where else. Most of the interviews they do with these athletes are a disgrace to anyone in the education system..

Sid Meyers of NY 5:33PM March 26, 2010

Yes grades and graduation matter ! If you make "A"'s you play all 4 quarters..."B"'s you play 3 quarters...."C"'s you play 2 quarters..."D"'s you are a dumb ass and the fans know it !

jack of TX 2:27AM March 21, 2010

I thnk the schools need to be shamed into correcting this behavior. Announcements should be made, as the teams are introduced, giving the last year's graduation rate for the particular sport. similarly, for teams appearing on TV, the gred rate for each team should be shown below the score.
There should be little celebration for non-students or programs, in a college setting.

mike semper of CA 10:14AM March 18, 2010

I understand that you're advocating schools focusing on academics, because that is what they should be first ... academic institutions. However, this is flawed from a business and education perspective, and I think what is defined as "NCAA graduation rate" is a misnomer.
From a business and educational perspective, a high performing athletic team/program (in this case basketball) can make a school much more attractive to incoming applicants, as well as sponsors that support the infrastructure for an improved learning environment.
I'm attacking the definition of "NCAA graduation rates" because at 11% it sounds like no student athletes graduate from the University of Arizona which isn't the case. I was an athlete at the UofA and in class with a lot of the higher profile players. It just so happened that some of them turned professional before they graduated (and who could fault them for looking at their best options). The numbers are also skewed by transfer players, which shouldn't be the fault of the school, rather it is the student athlete looking for the best opportunity for themselves.
Universities are doing their best to prepare young adults for employment, by providing the best opportunity for student-athletes to grow up, improve their character and education, while possibly showcasing their athletic talents.

UA of CA 8:36PM March 16, 2010

The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics applauds the comments of Secretary of Education Arne Duncan advocating for tougher policies to improve the graduation rates of college athletes, particularly football and men’s basketball players. In fact, the Knight Commission‘s 2001 recommendation that teams achieve at least a 50 percent graduation rate to be eligible for postseason competition led to current policies that do hold institutions accountable for the graduation rates of their players. However, those standards will need to be strengthened to achieve the desired results. We will continue to urge leaders to pursue academic and financial reforms in college athletics, and we appreciate the Secretary’s support of the student athlete. Learn more at www.KnightCommission.org.

Amy Perko of NC 2:08PM March 16, 2010

Because you were more of a brainiac than a basketball player at Park.

Corey of MD 1:58PM March 16, 2010

"Memphis had a Final Four appearance erased by the NCAA after it discovered that the Tigers had been allowing an academically ineligible player to compete."
The NCAA Clearing house cleared this "ineligible player" not once, but twice before he was allowed to play. Even to this day, the NCAA claims that the "alleged" ineligible player, I repeat the "alleged" ineligible player (NCAA terms). If this kind of evidence was presented in a court of law, any judge would throw it out as soon as he read the complaint. They have not presented on ounce of concrete evidence proving that this player was ineligible. If the NCAA cleared this player twice to play, how can they come back two year later and "allege" that he is ineligible.
Since 2006 the University of Memphis has had a greater than 90 percent graduation rate of their basketball players. Why are all of the sports writers still using data that dates all the way back to 2000?
One of Coach Cal's promises to Memphis and the University was to improve the graduation rate of it athletes, which he did.
Yeah we are sorry that he left Memphis for Kentucky, but look what he has done at each University he has coached at. Believe me, I no real Cal fan now since his leaving, but nothing has been put on him other than being a good basketball coach.

David the Tiger Fan forever of TN 1:05AM March 16, 2010

Jordan Hill has continued to take online courses and will return to the UA to finish his degree. The other NCAA athletes at the UA are some of the best all-around athletes with high academic standards and graduation rates.
There are more than just basketball players and of those there are more than just those who start.

Andie of AZ 5:26PM March 15, 2010