[NU Sports] 4th Quarter

Tue Oct 2 09:10:25 CDT 2007

Here's my take:

1. Admission of Athletes

Don't think that NU doesn't adjust its standards for athletes relative to
"regular" students already.  I'm fine with the current level of admission
standards since NU still takes top caliber students and that includes more
than grades and test scores - it is obviously beneficial to take students
who are well-rounded and can contribute in other areas such as music,
performing arts, athletics, etc. as well as the core academic areas.  I DO
NOT think that NU should lower their standards in order to admit a couple of
extra "talents" on the football field or basketball court - and thankfully I
don't think the administration or athletic department wants to change that
policy either.  There are plenty of smart and talented athletes out there in
all sports and Northwestern has done a good job of attracting people who fit
the school and the program, and I hope that continues.

2. Academic Help

Athletes get a lot of assistance at NU - during their sport's season they
can take a reduced course load of 3 classes instead of the typical 4 (any
student can also choose to do this), there is an academic tutoring area in
the new athletics building - and freshmen athletes are required to complete
a specific number of hours in the tutoring center (there is also tutoring
available to the general student population, although in a different
location).  The university helps athletes coordinate schoolwork/tests with
the travel and practice schedule in season (any student is generally welcome
to discuss flexibility with their professor at any time - when I was in
school I had to work out alternative testing schedules and class conflicts
since I was in NUMB).  Athletes get to sign up for classes early (in order
to get into classes at the times they need to fit in practice/travel), but
that rarely precludes other students from taking classes they want (and if a
regular student must take a specific course there are always ways to work
out getting into a class - talking to an academic adviser or the professor
of the course directly).  There are summer courses and assistance available
(any student can choose to take summer courses if they wish).  And while NU
does not have any "underwater basket-weaving" type major, there are still
plenty to choose from; many athletes seem to prefer Communications Studies,
although you can find athletes in every major at NU.  I am 100% OK with what
Northwestern does for athletes now since they obviously have an extra burden
of practice/games in order to represent the university, and every advantage
they get is also offered to the general student population in some form.

3. Facilities

Northwestern has neither the money nor the space to build a new stadium.  I
hope that some day we will see a new arena go up, or at least some major
renovations to Welsh-Ryan, but Dyche/Ryan is a great setting for football
and will probably remain standing for some time.  There are obviously some
renovations that could be made - especially to the south end zone, but
generally it's a nice fit for Northwestern.  Obviously getting more people
to the games would be big - and right now the only way to do that is winning
(although I still think the athletics marketing could be more innovative and
could do more to get people in the seats).  Parking is one thing that could
be improved - although doing something like building a multi-level parking
deck would require city approval; something very difficult to get.  In the
meantime, on-campus parking is sufficient, and it is still free, something
you can't find at many other Big Ten stadiums.

I believe Northwestern football can and will be successful with what they
have going.  The loss of Coach Walker was a big setback for this program,
and the tough loses this year hurt, but with such a young and inexperienced
coaching staff who are still learning the ropes it is not surprising.  What
I do find surprising is how many people seem willing to sacrifice ideals
(like high academic standards) in order to achieve quick on the field
success.  The fact is that NU is NOT just another state school in the Big
Ten - it is something different, and that uniqueness should be brought out,
not shoved under the rug.  A good analogy is NUMB, who is not as big as the
other Big Ten bands, but size is not everything and a smaller band allows
for more intricate drill and different types of music styles.  NU football
will probably never become a perennial power nationally (although I wouldn't
mind), but the fact is that we can all savor Wildcat successes that much
more because we know it doesn't come easy - it comes from hard working,
smart people, not just the fastest guy on the block who will be out on the
street next week.

Jonathan

On 10/2/07, Hakirsch at aol.com <Hakirsch at aol.com> wrote:
>
> In a message dated 10/2/2007 4:23:06 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
> mlinhardt at netzero.net writes:
>
> > I say its time to gradually relax admissions standards, while stepping
> up
> > academic support services to help ensure those admitted will
> graduate.  If our
> > graduation rates fall from 98-100% down to 85-90%, so be it--at least
> we'll
> > be putting a little more talent on the field on Saturdays.
> >
>
> A bit contradictory here--Adding support servcices to help those admitted
> graduate and then suggesting that our grad rate might drop 10% suggests
> that you
> dont think the support services wil do the trick for those questionable
> admitted students.
>
> First of all, dont for one minute think that a good chunk of our football
> and
> basketball players don't receive all kinds of academic support--From
> reduced
> course loads during the season (pick up some in the summer) to multiple
> tutors ., NU does pretty much all that it can to help our student athletes
> graduate. I also am aware of summer programs prior to the freshman year
> for both
> enhanced course work and other immersion type programs to help kids who
> might
> otherwise be blown away by the academic and social rigors of NU.  -I think
> we all
> can support these efforts. It is hard for me to believe that we can do
> much
> more, and thus I am loathe to drop our standards ---The key must be , does
> NU
> think with all of the academic help they will provide, do these kids have
> a good
> shot at graduating ? If so, then admit them, and continue to provide
> whatever
> support is needed-
>
> Harry
>
>
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-- 
Jonathan W. Hodges
1237 Emerson St Apt 2
Evanston, IL  60201-3577
(847) 736-2449
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