Date Posted:11:39:51 04/07/04 Wed Author: zipp Subject: Re: Fr. McFarland on NCAA grad rates in BGlobe In reply to:
matunuck
's message, "Fr. McFarland on NCAA grad rates in BGlobe" on 10:24:46 04/07/04 Wed
Maybe I missed something but CF, but what are you talking about? Who's the worst Div I? Who's only graduating 50%? Us? What are you talking about?
My point was that we focus so much on the academics at HC(which is great), but most of are programs are near or at the bottom athletically. So is the glass half full or half empty(thus my 50% comment, it had nothing to do with graduation stats). There has to be some sort of effort to improve the 26 -28 sports offered at HC. Can't we have top academics and a good FB team? baseball team? lacross team?
Sure we can cf - I'm sure you and the other PL bashers will be the first to break out your check books and fork over the millions it would require for us to be the Stanford/Duke of the northeast.
RANT TO FOLLOW...
I for one, as a recent grad and a former athlete on one of the Cross' non-revenue teams, appreciate the education I received at Holy Cross FIRST. The bragging rights associated with our historical athletic acheivements and any future "major" sports' competetive endeavors is SECONDARY.
Don't get me wrong - I love seeing the Purple win. I would LOVE to see our small school take a place among the elite in college athletics. I just realize there is a significant price to pay to get there. And who will pay it?
Here is an experiment: poll all the athletes playing a "major" sport in the Patriot League (for arguement's sake: M&W Basketball, Hockey, and Football) as to A) how many aspire to continue on to their respective sport's professional rank, and B) how many aspire to be successful in the "real world" after their athletic career is over.
I would imagine our poll would look quite different if we looked at Duke, Stanford, Wake, etc. etc. EVEN MORE different if we opened it up to their league brethren.
My point - HC (and the PL) is focused on educating those who will make a difference in something BEYOND ppg., era, and W-L. I believe Fr. McFarland and the administration see the athletes on our major sports as STUDENT-athletes. NOT Revenue-Generators. You have to respect that. It IS possible to be among the elite in both the academic and athletic arenas, but simple economics says it would be dumb for us to think we can make that leap all at once. However, I also believe we are working on ways to make that leap shorter and easier. Patience.
My Kudos goes out Fr. Mike for standing up for the values listed in our mission statement.
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Re: Fr. McFarland on NCAA grad rates in BGlobe -- Joe HC, 19:24:24 04/07/04 Wed
And now I can apologize for those grammar and spelling geeks out there like me - I too much sports in College kept me from remembering the importance of proof reading...
Or, maybe I was just too frustrated with all the PL-bashing to take a deep breath before posting...
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Thanks Joe HC -- Gate Raider, 01:11:54 04/08/04 Thu
I am happy to finally see someone from HC voice a realistic and accurate opinion on this subject. I really thought I was alone out here. You nailed it when you said PL athletes are first, trying to prepare themselves for life after college athletics and second, enjoy playing for the sport of it. Maybe the major wins and major players will be fewer and farther apart but, it is really the quest that counts and the victories are sweeter when the win at all costs attitude is lessened. I hope that HC continues to keep its priorities in the right order. Go Cross!
