UGA’s Mark Richt should break the rules in the name of academics
The feel-good story of UGA’s 2009 recruiting class is Chris Burnette.
Richt should consider taking one NCAA secondary violation in the name of academics (AJC)
Not only is he one of the nation’s top-rated offensive linemen, he is also a valedictorian candidate at Troup High School. UGA coach Mark Richt told Burnette he was the first valedictorian he had ever recruited. He also said that if Burnette got to speak at graduation, that he would do his best to be there in person to hear it.
Richt’s vow earned Georgia, and college football in general, a wave of good publicity. Then the big and bad NCAA got in the way.
As it turned out, it would be against the rules for Richt to attend the celebration of his recruit’s academic achievements. Richt, being the nice guy he is, felt bad about not being permitted to go but said he would still listen to the speech via a videotaped copy.
That’s where things stand right now. And now is where I think Richt should consider taking a stand … in the name of academics. If Lane Kiffin is throwing around secondary violations like mulligans in golf (for example, talking about Bryce Brown on a radio show, and then still being able to sign BB), then Richt should consider taking one. And this one would be for all the right reasons.
The national headlines would read “SEC football coach gets in trouble for showing up at valedictorian ceremony for blue-chip recruit.” Wouldn’t that be nice for a change, rather than all the negative things happening in sports. As we know, much too often, the word “student” is rarely mentioned in student-athletes. If Mark Richt was ever going to intentionally take a secondary violation (nothing more than a slap on the wrist), then this would be the most perfect one.
You might even have other prospects dare to invite their future college coach to come to their graduations, too. The coach can tell the prospect, “Hey if you make the grades and earn valedictorian honors, then it’s a done deal. I’ll be there.” What a wonderful trend it would be to start. Maybe even the NCAA would come to its senses and write up a special exemption for this type of situation. You know, to encourage academic success among the high school athletes of all sports.
Chris Burnette
Would Richt consider breaking the rules? Highly unlikely. But maybe he’ll surprise us. Actually, Richt could attend Burnette’s graduation without breaking any rules. According to an expert on the NCAA rules, all Richt would need to do is request a special waiver, which would likely be granted.
Now an update on Burnette: The offensive lineman who has made nothing but A’s since kindergarten is down to his final five weeks of classes. He has a 5.12 GPA and is in the running with two others for the school’s No. 1 academic honor. Graduation is scheduled for May 23 at Troup.
“It’s still looking good,” Burnette told the AJC. “[School officials] told me either way, that I should be speaking at graduation. We’ll have the final results of everything sometime soon.”
“That would be really cool if Coach Richt could make it. But I know he has a lot going on. However, it meant the world to me and my family that he even considered coming that day. There were a lot of people around school getting excited about it.”
People should get excited about academic achievements. And anybody, whether they are a football coach, fireman or doctor, should be able to join in the excitement.
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© 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
210 comments Add your comment
Bamafan
April 17th, 2009
5:13 am
I hope the NCAA lets Mark Richt go to the players graduation. Want do the federal government and the NCAA have in common? Both are getting out of control and having to many stupid rules. Good luck to the young man and best wishes in the future. GO DAWGS!!
Crimson Crush
April 17th, 2009
6:01 am
Most of the time when I bother to post of the comment it is to rebut some idiotic Dawg fan ragging some Georgia kid for choosing the Tide . I am most certainly not an apologist or even admirer of Coach Richt or the Bulldogs .
That being said I have to wholeheartedly agree with the author of this article on this particular situation . Richt should just say screw the NCAA . attend the kids graduation ceremony and “self report” the “violation” by cell phone while watching the kid give his address to his class . Kiffins is racking up 2 or 3 public violations a week just acting stupid . Richt and the Dawgs can certainly afford a little one on this situation .
If the NCAA even remotely tried to make something significant out of it I think you would see a lot of backlash directed towards Indianapolis … not Athens ..
Tech Fan
April 17th, 2009
6:39 am
Coach Richt should follow through on his word.I agree with the article and the 1st two comments.
Since the violation is really not punitive, follow through on your word. CMR should make the stand.
Slavery for example, was legal at one time in this country and was even approved by the Supreme Court of the day. But somebody stood up in that time and changed it for all the right reasons.
Stand up Coach.
Moses
April 17th, 2009
6:58 am
Why would anyone who is this Smart want to go to an Academic Dump like UGA?
RVaughters
April 17th, 2009
7:11 am
I am so proud of this young man whether he ever plays football or not. To be such a gifted student and talented athelete is remarkable in this day and age. The pressure to perform in class and on the field is not an easy challenge for most kids. Richt will have to make a tough decision, but in the end he cannot win. Either athletics or academics often get sacrificed in pursuing a dream of college sports excellence. Very few colleges can be highly competitive and successful at both. Good luck to this young scholar athlete.
Friday morning buffet « Get The Picture
April 17th, 2009
7:14 am
[...] Michael Carvell, right on. [...]
SugarHillDawg=Nerd Tormentor
April 17th, 2009
7:25 am
Moses the Moron, This kid like THOUSANDS like him want to play MAJOR college football and hopefully play on Sundays. That’s why he went to UGA!
BILLY JACK
April 17th, 2009
7:52 am
MOSES…..I MEAN JACKASS-CHECK HOW MANY ACADEMIC ALL AMERICANS GEORGIA HAS-THEN MAKE SURE YOU NEVER BLOG AGAIN AND SHOW YOUR STUPIDITY.
UGA'er
April 17th, 2009
8:02 am
Good to see the Vols mentioned on your site again today.
mightyKC
April 17th, 2009
8:19 am
richt has had no problem having his players knowingly break the rules on the field, he should just go for it!
then he can say ‘well i didn’t really mean for it to happen that way, i thought i was going to a movie and all the sudden i was at a graduation ceremony…it’s crazy’
UGA man
April 17th, 2009
8:33 am
Great job Chris however the speaking thing turns out. Richt is a superior person who does lots of good things outside the world of football. This is another opportunity for him to do a wonderful thing. It would be great publicity for the NCAA as well. What a good life example for the kids to see that rules can be broken when done the proper way. If Mark was ever to ask the NCAA for a waiver, this would be the time. Go Dawgs.
puppydawg
April 17th, 2009
8:52 am
Moses, I’m guessing that you were never a candidate for valedictorian at your academic dump.
Munson's Call
April 17th, 2009
8:52 am
MOSES…you mean that academic dump that produced TWO Rhodes Scholars in 2008?
RAMBLE ON!!!
April 17th, 2009
8:54 am
Just pretend it’s a TD against UF, you get a celebration penalty.
RAMBLE ON!!!
April 17th, 2009
8:58 am
Did Rachel Maddow go to UGAg?
Who was the other Rhodes, Deborah Norville?
RAMBLE ON!!!
April 17th, 2009
9:00 am
Herschel was valedictorian of his graduating class of eight.
Mtn Bama
April 17th, 2009
9:01 am
While I agree that this is another example of a really stupid rule I doubt that Ritch will force the issue and if he does I doubt the ncaa would grant a waiver as they think it would open the flood gates for others as there are many recruits who achieve all manner of academic success worthy of a visit by the person who will be in charge of thier lives for four years.Might want to think twice about self-reporting “minor” offences, has not worked well for Bama.
Zionbama
April 17th, 2009
9:17 am
I think that NCAA should get a life and quit being so freaking idiotic about so many thing such as this. Being a huge bama fan I totally endorse Richt if he attends the graduation. As a matter of fact, it would actually make me more of a UGA fan and want to cheer more for them if he does.
And guys Moses is just trying to stir up trouble and is just jealous because he can’t get his GED after 10 tries.
I hope you guys beat Florida this year and play us in Atlanta for the SEC Championship!
Roll Tide!
DawginLex
April 17th, 2009
9:42 am
Rambler,
You are truly a low life. I have never seen anything anything like it. The sad part is, you served our nation in the armed forces. you are a disgrace to that as well because of the comments you make about kids from other schools simply because they are not going to Ga Tech.
you make me sick.
KD
April 17th, 2009
9:52 am
Ramble On, go play with yourself and stay on your website with all the other pencil neck geeks !!!!!!
RAMBLE ON!!!
April 17th, 2009
9:54 am
DawginLex, Take a couple of Alka-Seltzers…I think it maybe the dawg food you been eating.
LOL, not sure what you’re referring to about these “kids” and the comments I made you find so sickening.
I think Football is a bit too much for you to take so personally.
Equestrian maybe more your speed.
RAMBLE ON!!!
April 17th, 2009
9:55 am
We recruit at GT too…you know like Stephen Hill. So, I’ll stay right here KD.
RAMBLE ON!!!
April 17th, 2009
9:56 am
DawinLex, you don’t have to worry about us beating you in Equestrian either, like football, basketball, and baseball.
Tom, Resident Georgia Fan
April 17th, 2009
9:59 am
Moses, your dad would have been smart to roll over and fire you against the wall, Jerk.
orangesux
April 17th, 2009
10:00 am
I agree with this article – Richt should keep his word, go see the kid and report it. done deal. I too, am a Bama fan but I like to see good things happen to good people regardless of what school they choose to play for. This kid has a +5 gpa for cryin’ out loud… This should be an additional reward to him.
DawginLex
April 17th, 2009
10:02 am
Rambler,
Don’t try to justify being a low life. It is what it is and you are what you are.
Atlanta Gator
April 17th, 2009
10:04 am
Good grief. Richt should request the waiver from the NCAA to attend the kid’s graduation ceremony. If the NCAA can’t see this matter correctly, and it really does constitute a secondary violation with no real consequences, Richt should attend anyway. This Gator would stand up and cheer.
DawginLex
April 17th, 2009
10:07 am
Atlanta Gator,
It is a breath of fresh air to read positive comments from supporters of other schools. We can never expect that from most of the Tech folks with the holier than thou you didn’t go to Tech attitudes.
Thanks.
KD
April 17th, 2009
10:07 am
Hey, Ramble On,that response didn’t make any sense, I didn’t know we were talking about recruiting, it was concerning Chris Burnette, and CMR attending his graduation, but you are such a jerk-off, you wish to talk about one single recruit, like I said earlier you are a JERK OFF and a A$$ !!!!!
Curious George
April 17th, 2009
10:16 am
If this recruit is really THAT smart, why isn’t he going to Georgia Tech instead ?
78 DAWG
April 17th, 2009
10:20 am
We’ve been playing by the “ncaa’s rules” too long. If we recruited only the top kids regardless of ncaa rules, We may already have the top program but we would leave the gayturds in the dust if we didn’t worry so much about admissions and graduation rates. If you want to graduate, then graduate, it ain’t the coaches job.
Right On Time
April 17th, 2009
10:23 am
Ramble On actually now makes me laugh. Previously I would be irritated, but I have come to appreciate his “stick and move” style. Actually very entertaining. By the way, there is no point debating him as he knows as much about UGA (and the 2 scholars)as most of you do: He is on these blogs daily. He really is pretty funny and VERY good at getting the “masses” all red faced. Good job RO.
Atlanta Gator: As usual, right on the money. Richt should keep his word and go anyway. Great life lesson and example for not just the players but his children.
Good article.
Brent Cunningham
April 17th, 2009
10:25 am
Dawginlex, there’s a reason Tech people act superior. It’s because they feel superior (win a football game or not, 24/7). And, they feel superior because they are usually smarter and classier and don’t think winning a football game or a “recruiting battle” changes anything.
gdawginkalamazoo
April 17th, 2009
10:26 am
Coach Richt please go to the kid’s graduation, damn the NCAA. This would be for all the right reasons. The kid has signed and sealed to show up at UGA in the fall to play.
Moses, what kind of burning bush did you talk to? I think you stood too close to it and inhaled.
GA Buckeye
April 17th, 2009
10:27 am
Does anybody know the rules Richt would be violating? If he had a relative at this high school or any other high school, would he be prohibited from attending the graduation. Would he have to prove he is there to support another graduate other than a recruit. This rule just seems ‘kinda dumb’.
OhioDawg
April 17th, 2009
10:36 am
What a refreshing, if all-too-rare story! CMR, who is also part of a dwindling breed, the true Southern Gentleman (I don’t think I need to fill in the blanks here, do I?) is to be commended for being involved to the nature and extent he already is. The simple fact that Fl and AL fans approve should be overwhelming evidence that the prize is worth the risk. Richt should definitely go through the proper channels, but can you imagine the hue and cry if the NCAA refused a waiver? This is a good thing all the way around. People like Moses and the GT freak can and should simply be ignored – they probably are used to it anyway- and be sent back for more vodka-and-Cheerio breakfasts. Anyone who denigrates UGA’s academic progress over the last twenty years is several degrees off plumb anyway.
KR
April 17th, 2009
10:36 am
Auburn fan here. Mark Richt should attend.
#1.Dawgette
April 17th, 2009
10:36 am
Curious George……you answered your own question within your question. I believe it is GT that has been caught w/the more recent, large academic issues w/student athletes, not UGA. Oh, and UGA was home of two Rhode Scholars in ‘08. Also, check current facts on admissions and student GPAs then rethink your post, sir.
Buddy El
April 17th, 2009
10:36 am
Sugarhill,now you have done it. Calling Moses “Moses The Moron”. Please, in the interest of fairness, please send a retraction apologizing to “Morons” everywhere. Gooooooooooooooooooooo Dawgs.
Buddy El
April 17th, 2009
10:41 am
Why couldn’t CMR receive an invitation from any non-athlete senior or would that be over-ridden the NCAA underworked Storm Troopers.
brian
April 17th, 2009
10:41 am
Although it’s hard for me to say it as I’m a tech fan (and take no responsibility for those nimrods posting the BS above), this is a great story. It really is too bad the NCAA is so foolish. To truly encourage and reward a young person for academics is what this system should be all about. What an amazing young man too – 5.12GPA? Wow. Now the real question is how do we make sure more athletes use him as a role model versus the boneheads who can barely pronounce the school they are accepting a scholarship from???? My favorite still is Stephan Marbury saying “I am signing with Georgia Tech University!”. Nice.
Brent's An Idiot!
April 17th, 2009
10:42 am
To feel superior to someone is stupid and classless in the first place. So to dog (no pun intended) someone else by using these tactics is stupid, as well. Is that what your great Tech education got you?
Halberstram
April 17th, 2009
10:46 am
Great article Michael. As you stated, there’s definitely a way Richt can make it possible to attend the graduation. Hopefully he will make it down there, the kid deserves it.
Bama Dawg
April 17th, 2009
10:53 am
Let me get this straight. The kid has already signed the letter of intent, a legally binding document that the NCAA honors, so its not like Richt is still recruiting the guy. Why the hell should it matter to the NCAA if he goes to listen to the kids speach?
I say Richt made a commitment to the kid, just like the kid made a commitment to UGA and he, Richt, should tell the NCAA to take a hike and keep his word.
Buddy El
April 17th, 2009
10:54 am
Brent Cunningham:Apparently you don’t speak for Techies everywhere and if you are the real Brent Cunningham that I followed through highschool and GT I am very surprised with your taking such an attitude. Tell me it ain’t you Brent. I know several GT grads that are really intelligent nice guys. I also know a bunch of them that couldn’t find their a** with both hands in their hip pockets. You are making a case for your being one of the latter.
RAMBLE ON!!!
April 17th, 2009
10:59 am
Thanks Right On Time, you seem to get it.
gdawginkalamazoo, that was a good one.
Reid in EAV
April 17th, 2009
10:59 am
Of course he should go, but the larger issue here is that the NCAA is operating a cartel in restraint of trade that ought to be illegal. Essentially it’s a plantation, getting free slave labor for four years of athletic eligibility while reaping 100% of all the revenues (ticket sales, TV deals, luxury boxes, licensing) that result.
Of course, fat chance that anyone operating on the NCAA plantation decides to make an issue of any of that stuff. But it still stinks.
John
April 17th, 2009
11:12 am
I agree and think Coach Richt should attend anyway. It would set an honorable precident and one more Coach’s should follow. God knows so many gifted athletes have no care about their education as it is. Coach take a step in the right direction; I assure you fans everywhere will rejoice!
Les W. Moore
April 17th, 2009
11:13 am
Michael, did you just propose that Mark Richt be more like Lane Kiffin? Richt has become a fat and happy head coach and does remind many of the previous coach at Tennessee. But….
gdawginkalamazoo
April 17th, 2009
11:16 am
Brent, you keep on thinking that buddy.
Reid, play football, get an education fully paid for if you put forth the effort to better yourself. If you don’t put forth the effort to get your education, well, you get what you deserve.
Right On Time
April 17th, 2009
11:17 am
Reid:
I wish I was physically gifted enough to have been one of those “slaves” at a D1 “plantation”. Most of us would also enjoy seeing
our children experience being a scholarship athlete. Having
your college education paid for is no small matter. That being said, there are some issues with the NCAA, no doubt.
Otto
April 17th, 2009
11:25 am
CMR should not break rules to attend but he should apply for the waiver. CMR made enough enemies in the NCAA and SEC front office with the end zone dance.
Dawg88
April 17th, 2009
11:37 am
Crimson Crush or anyone here…regardless of who you root for…Why would you not admire CMR?
I know that I admire coaches like him on other teams that i don’t pull for. Why not admire him? Or is it just rivalry talk that poisons the mind toward not being objective?
Just wondering…
Will
April 17th, 2009
11:44 am
Call King Obama and ask him to fix this rule while he is fixing the BCS. Ya right! He lied to college football fans too.
Big Poppa
April 17th, 2009
11:54 am
Coach Richt should go. It is very difficult to excel at academics and athletics and the accomplishment should be rewarded. This would show that the coach is committed to him as not just a player, but a person and student. The NCAA definitely is wrong for having such a rule in place.
WhoCares
April 17th, 2009
11:56 am
If “saint Mark” cares so much about “students” then why not just go to Clarke Central’s graduation to hear their validictorian?
Otto
April 17th, 2009
12:00 pm
Will, with any luck Obama will not be able to stamp his mark on CFB. He has messed enough things up.
BobDog
April 17th, 2009
12:00 pm
I checked and the average SAT of Georgia’s upcoming freshman class is 17 points higher than Tech’s.
Preston
April 17th, 2009
12:14 pm
Curious George, he’s not going to tech because tech sucks. They’re like another South Carolina on our schedule. They’ll win one every once in a while but they’re clearly a second rate program.
Preston
April 17th, 2009
12:16 pm
I wonder if the kid’s gonna save us a scholarship by getting an academic scholly and being a walk on. Hmmmm…
mexdawg
April 17th, 2009
12:17 pm
Hey Ramble On your season tickets along with you cupons for a free hot dog and coke are ready for you to pick up.Oh by the way you might want to sell those GEORGIA tickets it’s not going to be pretty……LET THE BIG DAWG EAT.
heyberto
April 17th, 2009
12:19 pm
I know the NCAA has gotten out of control with its rules… and Richt should atleast pursue an exemption… but as far as why the NCAA has the rules in place about what you can and can’t do are largely because of coaches like Kiffin, Meyer and Saban tha continue to push the envelope… not that Richt hasn’t, but you constantly see those three doing anything they can to push the rules to the limit, or even find ways to break them then plead ignorance.
Preston
April 17th, 2009
12:20 pm
Yeah BobDog, it’s funny as hell how tech’s nerd fanbase comes on here and claims such academic superiority when their players take custodial engineering. I guess they have to make something up for getting beat most of the time. Sad and funny at the same time. Poor tech fans.
Huh?
April 17th, 2009
12:20 pm
I don’t understand why this guy isn’t going to Georgia Tech where he can end up an engineer, an engineer, or even an engineer. I mean, Georgia Tech has so much to offer an 18 year old kid with his entire life ahead of him. You never know what you might end up doing with your career after Georgia Tech. You could be an engineer or maybe even an engineer. Who knows? The sky is the limit. This kid is clearly a classless thug of poor character because he does not want to attend the great institution of Georgia Tech. I think we can all agree on that.
'ol dawg
April 17th, 2009
12:20 pm
Let’s face it, the intelligent posts, regardless of what college they graced, are just that, intelligent. It proves that education works. As for the others, well I don’t have to comment.
This young man is unique, for any recruit. He has superior intellect, and I would venture to say that bigger and better things will be heard from him in the future, outside of football.
As for CMR, an application for a waiver is in order. I hope someone gets these comments to him in order for him to see that his fans are all for his attendance. The cream on the cake are fans from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, et.al., and the intelligent Tech fans that went to Tech because they are, are also for it. (Sorry about that rambling sentence)
GT EE Class of '93
April 17th, 2009
12:21 pm
A “smart” UGA student and a football player? Not only should Richt attend his graduation, but the “college of education (sic)” should name a building after the kid.
Diamond Dawg
April 17th, 2009
12:21 pm
While Vols coaches are running around with their shirts off our coach is attending graduations. Nice job Tenn. You guys are a joke.
wp
April 17th, 2009
12:23 pm
I know you need to obey rules or you can’t expect your players to do the same but in this case we’re not there to recruit we’re there to honor a great accomplishment
Diamond Dawg
April 17th, 2009
12:23 pm
Also I give Lame Kitten bout two years and they will be on major probation for something he has done. Hide and watch. They guy is an idiot!!!
Preston
April 17th, 2009
12:23 pm
Mexdawg, thanks for reminding me dude. I’m gonna pull $20 out of my account today and buy season tickets to tech so I can go to the Georgia game. I’ll toss the rest of the tickets because I sure as hell couldn’t sell them.
macrotech
April 17th, 2009
12:28 pm
Just ANOTHER moment when the ncaa get’s in the way of it’s ‘good’ intentions! CMR shouldn’t break the rule……the rule needs to be reconsidered!
Saint Simons
April 17th, 2009
12:28 pm
45-42!!!!! hahahahahahahahahahahaha
bank walker
April 17th, 2009
12:30 pm
Go Coach Richt! GO DAWGS!!!
Lol
April 17th, 2009
12:31 pm
Lol. SEC and education. That would definitely be a change. Rules are rules, but if he wants to make a statement, he should go.
Munson
April 17th, 2009
12:35 pm
We all get it Ramble On!!!, you’re a douchebag.
Forrest Gump
April 17th, 2009
12:37 pm
If he wants a great education, he should go to Alabama.
Socrates
April 17th, 2009
12:40 pm
If Richt really wanted to take a stand for academics, he would stop recruiting thugs and players who can’t pass the high school graduation test and do something about his own graduation rate which is at the bottom of the SEC and his players arrest rate, which is at the top.
heyberto
April 17th, 2009
12:47 pm
Wow Socrates… how profound and wise of you. I’m sure your school has a bunch of saints and NEVER commit any of the mistakes young kids make, and your program ALWAYS graduate all of their players. Of course, if you are, that means its not because they go on to have NFL careers or win championships. Stay classy.
Dawg Fud
April 17th, 2009
12:49 pm
i believe RAMBLE ON!!! is a female blogger…
Herschel Walker's other personality
April 17th, 2009
12:57 pm
He should go. It’s not every day UGA recruits someone who can read to play football.
murfdawg
April 17th, 2009
12:58 pm
Thanks for the article Mr. Carvell. I hope this is the only brush with NCAA violations we will have this year. Do you remember what Brian Bosworth called the NCAA? Sometning like National Communist Against Athletics. Some things never change.
KNelson
April 17th, 2009
1:00 pm
Good call on attending! Now for all of you fools wanting to bash UT. Do you remember Jason Respert who was recruited by Florida? Florida revoke the scholarship and he went to UT. He turned his life around and graduated , then went on to the NFL. Envy Envy Envy. CMR is a class act, the majority of his fans are sitting on their porch listening to banjo music!
NCAASTINKS
April 17th, 2009
1:05 pm
As someone that played 3 sports for all 4 years of my college career under the NCAA I can say with an informed opinion that they are worthless. The NCAA needs to be retooled and reestablished to focus on the STUDENT-athlete. If it had not been for a strong love for the sports I played in college and for my college itself I would have stopped participating in varsity level sports after my freshman year. The NCAA is concerned ONLY about revenue, they have no concern about the STUDENTS.
Reid in EAV
April 17th, 2009
1:06 pm
To the Kool-Aid drinking NCAA defenders: a $50,000-value in-kind compensation of college tuition, room and board for four years of (otherwise unpaid) work is hardly a fair trade, particularly considering the kind of revenue that’s generated by these kids for their programs, and considering that the programs themselves provide far less time for study than the average student has. (And no, I couldn’t even play a sport on the NAIA level, which is why it’s even more offensive that the NCAA takes the stellar athletes that populate D-1 sports and forbids them to do the normal things that minor-league/developmental athletes do, like take a paycheck and get paid for endorsements.)
At least in football, people keep taking this deal because the NCAA has enforced a monopoly on teh sport’s only viable minor league. But in basketball the super-talented play one year of college ball or skip it entirely—and baseball has its own minor-league system that renders college baseball as a route to the bigs, but hardly the only one.
With non-revenue sports like swimming, gymnastics and track, what the NCAA does is largely fine. The kids in those programs are true student-athletes (students first, athletes second), and, on balance, it costs their institutions to stage their sports. At least there, nobody is making large sums from what underpaid, exploited students are doing. But if you think that’s not what’s happening in college football, you’re dreaming.
(And hey, I’m a UGA fan — the current system pays large dividends to me as I go to games, buy merchandise and watch on TV, but in no way is it just.)
Big B CH 99
April 17th, 2009
1:08 pm
I’m a Tech fan, and I think that this is one of the STUPIDEST NCAA rules there is, and they have plenty of them.
U have a true STUDENT-Athlete here ,that is not just a top notch football recruit but one of the top students at his H.S. And his future College Coach wants to go see him speak at Graduation. Exactly what is wrong w/ that??????????????????????????????????????
If I was CMR I would go anyways.
matt
April 17th, 2009
1:13 pm
Richt has a great opportunity to do the right thing and set a great example. Hopefully he goes through with it and attends this young man’s graduation. Do the right thing coach.
dawg fan
April 17th, 2009
1:15 pm
Its a sad day when a good article comes out and some tech fans like Ramble On and Moses find nothing better than to take shots at 18-20 year old kids. Regardless of what you think, the fact that a top tier football player at a Georgia High School has excelled in such at way that he is in the top 1, 2, or #3 academic standing in his class out of over 1,000 students is a significant accomplishment whether he is going to UGA, GT or Alabama or wherever. BTW,I have worked with several Tech alums (not for) who do not share your air of superiority but maybe they are the exception and not the rule.
Maddog
April 17th, 2009
1:16 pm
GT EE Class of ‘93 – still perpetuating the “smarter athlete at Tech” myth? In December the AJC reported that Tech’s athletes on the average score 79 whole points higher than those at UGA. So when the average student-athlete scoring an 1100 on the SAT is “smart”, the average student-athlete scoring a 1021 is “dumb”. LOL. Only a fool would use the SAT to determine one’s intelligence.
By the way, since Tech supposedly only goes after the “smart” athletes, then plesae explain how is has been reported and discussed that Tech will begin going head to head with UGA for the top football talent in the state? As much as you wish you could, you can’t have it both ways.
Next myth?!?!
Terry
April 17th, 2009
1:20 pm
Anyone who thinks that going to a better college makes you a superior, smarter, or classier person needs to have their head examined, our Government Leaders went to the best colleges in the country, Look what that’s done for our Country a National debt for future Generations to come, the school you go to does not make you superior,smarter,or classier, it just looks good on your resume, you will still be a A-hole or Good person. Think about it which one are you!
Oledawg
April 17th, 2009
1:23 pm
Bama Dawg(10:53)-You posted the facts for me. You bet, the idea that after he has been recruited, signed and you can’t begin your relationship with a student-athlete until after his graduation is nonsense. Honor this young man with your presence, Mark, even if he is second and may give a secondary speech. Magna cum laude or cum laude, it’s still an achievement of great work and endeavor. Many people look and see a very smart guy who achieves academic success easily. Not necessarily true at all. Most academic achievers do so through long labor, not through osmosis. He has achieved by hard work in the classroom and the playing field.
Carvell, you hit a big one with the suggestion that he go anyway. The agreeing SEC fans constitute a big bonus to your suggestion. I didn’t know so many cared. It speaks well for college football and the SEC. Now follow through and give it an insistent nudge.
UGADawg16
April 17th, 2009
1:23 pm
I think it’s an amazing achievement for the young man particularly when you consider he has been able to do it with the demands of football and excel as a student and an athlete.
We are porud to have you Chris, welcome to the Dawg Nation. I hope CMR is able to attend.
Tech Fans: http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2009/04/17/josh-nesbitt-thoughts/?cxntfid=blogs_georgia_tech_sports
New to ATL
April 17th, 2009
1:31 pm
There are some nasty comments by some Georgia Tech fans…… Especially going after academics at the University of Georgia. Funny thing is, I believe the University of Georgia has a better academic reputation than Georgia Tech.
Matt
April 17th, 2009
1:31 pm
I’m pretty sure that even Urban Myer wouldn’t call the NCAA on this one. I hope that he goes for the kid’s sake. It would be a great honor for him to have the guy he looks up to to come to his graduation. How many stories do we have these days like that?
Maddog
April 17th, 2009
1:34 pm
Matt – Urban Meyer probably wouldn’t make that call, but Lane Kiffin probably would.
dawgkicker
April 17th, 2009
1:37 pm
should richt break the rules…???? your joking right…… that second rate university already breaks them all…. they just havent gotten caught yet….. maybe this time they will……. I know they try to field teh best college team money can buy…. but that hasnt helped them lately…. LOL
say what, dawgkicker?
April 17th, 2009
1:38 pm
Proof, moron, proof. Until then, remain silent.
gdawginkalamazoo
April 17th, 2009
1:43 pm
Reid, dude let it go. I don’t recall UGA being a privately held corporation. I believe it belongs to the State of Georgia and it’s peeps. There to offer a higher education to those who are able to attend in one manner (play a sport/academic scholarships) or another (get in and pay for it out of your/parents pockets, work as a Brumby hall gigolo).
Also, Reid, who MAKES these kids go to college and play football on a scholarship? Don’t they have to sign their names on the bottom line?
GTville
April 17th, 2009
1:44 pm
I think a certain coach from an orange school north of Georgia is mentioned in the AJC more than all of the UGA and Tech stories combined. You can’t even write a good article about a smart UGA recruit and his future coach’s dilema without mentioning him. Is this your choice; or, does that school have someone pushing the stories?
Not that the stories aren’t intersting, but I do not read about them in the Tennessee newspaper, just the Atlanta paper.
Pete
April 17th, 2009
1:48 pm
Silly article. Richt is going to follow the rules as usual, as he should.
Woody
April 17th, 2009
1:49 pm
Perhaps the NCAA should require every stinkin’ coach in the SEC to attend this graduation as a lesson regarding the type of recruits that they should pursue, leaving the thugs to fend for themselves.