Dameon Baber flips to Nevada

[ragtimejoe1]

I 100% disagree with this approach. Listen, I bleed brown & gold just like everyone else on this board, but the primary focus of the University of Wyoming should be to be the best educational institution they can be. I would much rather be an Ivy League school that has to drop down to FCS to hold their athletes to high standards than an Alabama that pumps out borderline retarded "graduates" because they were good football players.

Different degree doesn't mean less educational. What's worse, putting kids out with worthless degrees or something that actually benefits them and society?

 

[Bryoming]

I 100% disagree with this approach. Listen, I bleed brown & gold just like everyone else on this board, but the primary focus of the University of Wyoming should be to be the best educational institution they can be. I would much rather be an Ivy League school that has to drop down to FCS to hold their athletes to high standards than an Alabama that pumps out borderline retarded "graduates" because they were good football players.

Different degree doesn't mean less educational. What's worse, putting kids out with worthless degrees or something that actually benefits them and society?

I guess I missed your point. I agree that a more tech-school-like approach may be beneficial to the athletes. I'm not sure if I'm on board or not, but it's certainly an idea worth exploring.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

Definitely not all out tech school approach, but not necessarily a bunch of nonessential classes either. Let's say something like wind energy careers. A sub-program that doesn't train engineers of wind energy but trains installation, business management, etc. Students still take core courses (government and such) and are exposed to the engineering side of things. They are also exposed to business and people management as well as project management.

People from this degree would lead installation projects and manage projects once in place.

Like I said, I don't know the exact format here, but it seems like we could adapt to the times without compromising academic integrity. Programs like early childhood development aren't always mentally or time challenging but important nonetheless. How many male athletes would be interested in that? My point is something along those lines but that would appeal to a broader range of athletes.

 

[WestWYOPoke]

I think the problem with these athletes, like Baber, isn't the programs once they get to UW, it's actually getting in to UW. In order to get a guy like him in, we would have to bend our requirements. Now this does happen on occasion, but I don't want to make it a habit. I love UW, but the academic requirements for admittance aren't exactly grueling. If you can't even get in, then I don't see you staying eligible for 4 years unless you cheat.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

I think the problem with these athletes, like Baber, isn't the programs once they get to UW, it's actually getting in to UW. In order to get a guy like him in, we would have to bend our requirements. Now this does happen on occasion, but I don't want to make it a habit. I love UW, but the academic requirements for admittance aren't exactly grueling. If you can't even get in, then I don't see you staying eligible for 4 years unless you cheat.

In that regard, I wouldn't mind the probationary admittance system. I think many kids in the US are a product of bad/poor school systems as much as anything. Give them 1 year to prove themselves then off to JUCO if they can't. Put strict criteria in place:

1) Player MUST redshirt.
2) Take real proficiency test and enroll in remedial courses if necessary.
3) Maintain 2.0 or better.
4) No absences.
5) ????

If they can't hack it, they can transfer to JUCO and have full eligibility. If they succeed in JUCO, they can transfer after they graduate JUCO like any normal JUCO transfer.

 

[WestWYOPoke]

Most of the time, these athletes are grayshirts. They can't play games, and in many cases can't even practice with the team (in cases below NCAA standards). They get a year to prove they can hack it academically and then they are given a scholarship and count towards the next year's count of 25.

But I do agree with your points ragtime, figure it out or go JUCO, which is what a lot of these guys do...or go D2.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

Definitely grey shirt option, but I meant more maximum of red shirt. Meaning, any player in which admission standards were loosened at all, can't play the first year. Not necessarily at WYO, but I think some of the kids who get in with suspect credentials still have the opportunity to see the playing field. That shouldn't be allowed, IMO.

 

[WestWYOPoke]

I get what you are saying. I'd like to just stick with gray shirts in this scenario...they can't play AND they have to pay their way the first year until they prove they can succeed in the classroom and earn their scholarship. Of course, there may be some circumstances where we might have to offer a scholly to a very talented athlete due to other offers he is receiving, but I would hope that barely ever happens.

 

[POKE FAN]

I talked to AJ Cooper and Kenni Burns last night. It didn't have anything to do with qualifying at UW. Babers just changed his mind late. Coach Bohl and the staff DO NOT want players like that, so good riddance.

 

[fromolwyoming]

I talked to AJ Cooper and Kenni Burns last night. It didn't have anything to do with qualifying at UW. Babers just changed his mind late. Coach Bohl and the staff DO NOT want players like that, so good riddance.

Ah man. I was having fun watching Nevada Convert on the mwcboard squirm.