[NU Sports] 4th Quarter

[Arthur Miller]

There is a big, big range between NU's current standards, and becoming a "JUCO Haven".  And tell me again why relaxing our own standard constitutes "cheating".
 
I say it's hypocritical for NU to accept the financial rewards of being in the Big Ten--rewards earned almost entirely by our conference-mates--and yet refuse to make the same level of commitment.  We can continue to hope and pray for 1995-style lightning in a bottle--and we may catch it from time to time--but such moments will be vastly outnumbered by such debacles as we saw in Columbus two weeks ago.
 
I might reconsider all of this later, outside of the emotional ride that is football season, but right now I'm feeling very discouraged about NU's long-term prospects.
 
> From: mlinhardt at netzero.net> Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2007 11:15:46 +0000> To: nwu-sports at tssi.com> Subject: RE: [NU Sports] 4th Quarter> CC: Maureen.Linhardt at plexus.com> > NO!> > I love football as much as anyone, but if it involves lessening the standards "further" you will get no support from me. If we become a JUCO haven or Miami(FL)/SouthernCal I would rather DROP football.> > There are very, very few places like Northwestern that compete both on the highest academic and athletic levels. To water this down is a disservice to every alum.> > If you are interested in improving the team by "cheating" please look to another university or a professional team for your football fix.> > -- Arthur Miller <artmiller1 at hotmail.com> wrote:> <snip>> 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.
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