Here is a national view of the APR from the Associated Press. You’ll notice one interesting thing: Syracuse and Colorado. You might remember all that talk about “academics” in conference expansion. Does this expose some of that talk? Of course it does. Colorado and Syracuse are good schools with good athletic programs; however, every school has its own challenges. But college athletics has long since lost its virginity. It is all about the money. Despite what the Big Ten and Pac-10 or Texas might say.

From the AP: “Colorado was penalized one scholarship in men’s basketball and four in football, while Syracuse lost two in men’s basketball for falling below the NCAA’s 925 cutline. Officials at both schools said they took away the scholarships last season after academically ineligible players left school. Syracuse was one of only four NCAA tournament teams from last season to get hit with a penalty. The others were Houston, Morgan State and UTEP. Orange coach Jim Boeheim, the reigning national coach of the year, had an explanation for his team’s 912 score.

“‘We had three students leave school early to pursue professional basketball careers last spring and that is difficult to overcome,’ he said. ‘We anticipate being back above the APR standard when the next report is compiled.’ …

“Colorado was one of 10 schools to be sanctioned in both sports, though the other nine all compete in the Football Championship Subdivision. And four of those 10 are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The Buffaloes scored 920 in football and 897 in men’s basketball.

“‘Naturally, the APR score for football is of great concern to both our academic and athletic leadership,” Colorado chancellor Phil DiStefano said in a statement. “It represents a challenge we are working to meet through our APR improvement plan, new academic support staff in athletics, and renewed focus in recruiting and engagement with our student-athletes.'” (You can read the entire AP report below.)

One thought on “More on the APR & conference expansion”

  1. I don’t think leaving early to go pro should count against a school. Don’t you go to school to educate yourself so you can get a better job , make a better life for you and your family? If a guy can leave school and become a millionaire at 22 years of age,then he has done better than 99 percent of the college grads. A lot of college grads will never make a million dollars in their lifetimes. Get it while you can.

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