I don't usually say this, but this one makes me want to say, "Oy vey." What in the world were these people thinking?
Somebody thought it was a good idea to have the Florida State University football team take internet classes, even though they attend a perfectly good university where they can attend classes in person. It was interesting when Boston College started having its football team take night classes, but on-line class? That sounds fishy already. You've heard me wax philosophic on the farce that is NCAA's alleged emphasis on student-athletes, but this fiasco is near the top of the list of reasons why I don't buy what they're selling.
Instead of actually taking the exam themselves, some bright teacher's assistants and tutors decided that it would be a good idea to give multiple football players (as many as 25) and other student-athletes the answers to the internet exam. In addition:
Somebody thought it was a good idea to have the Florida State University football team take internet classes, even though they attend a perfectly good university where they can attend classes in person. It was interesting when Boston College started having its football team take night classes, but on-line class? That sounds fishy already. You've heard me wax philosophic on the farce that is NCAA's alleged emphasis on student-athletes, but this fiasco is near the top of the list of reasons why I don't buy what they're selling.
Instead of actually taking the exam themselves, some bright teacher's assistants and tutors decided that it would be a good idea to give multiple football players (as many as 25) and other student-athletes the answers to the internet exam. In addition:
The school's investigation found that a tutor gave students answers while
they were taking tests and filled in answers on quizzes and typed papers for
students.
According to one tutor, this had been going on since the fall of 2006.
Now these up to 25 football players may be suspended from playing in the upcoming bowl game - the upcoming terribly monikered bowl game, the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, and from playing in the first three games of the 2008 season. On another note, I really believe that they ought to re-think this whole name the bowl after the company sponsoring it idea.
Now these up to 25 football players may be suspended from playing in the upcoming bowl game - the upcoming terribly monikered bowl game, the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl, and from playing in the first three games of the 2008 season. On another note, I really believe that they ought to re-think this whole name the bowl after the company sponsoring it idea.
I don't want to say that this is not surprising, but this is not surprising. It's also terrible, not least of all because it involved cheating. No, the most disappointing part of this story is that there are people in positions of authority and they think they are helping these kids when in actuality they are just doing them an extreme disservice. Then they "graduate" and can't function so well in the real world.
The kids (some, not all, since at least one blew the whistle) think it's cool because the teacher is cheating for them, but there's nothing cool about never being mentally challenged. Football of all sports is a short-lived experience, even if they do make it to the pro ranks. The least they could do is develop some skills, or just practice learning, so they can make a living after football. Someone else had to know this was going on and let it go on, and whomever they are, they should all be fired. FSU's athletic director, Dave Hart, Jr., pictured above, will be stepping down at the end of the year.
It should be interesting to see how this affects the Gaylord Hotels game. Ick.
No comments:
Post a Comment