Should Arne Duncan Bother With This...

[valporun]

I found this link on ESPN after I was reading about Bobby Gonzalez being fired at Seton Hall.
Is it really worth Education Secretary Arne Duncan's time to meddle in the arrogance of the NCAA? He's trying to propose that if a team doesn't graduate 40% of its players then the basketball team or other athletic teams, whomever violates the percentage, gets banned from postseason play.

The link:
sports.espn.go.com/ncb/tournament/2010/news/story?id=5004089

I already know that Rick is going to spout off on the liberals getting in the way again, but that's not why I'm pointing this out. I'm thinking that Duncan needs to leave this alone. The NCAA is all about money, they don't care about the athletes as students in the money sports, and it will enable more one-and-done players to make an easier decision on going pro or going overseas to play. On top of this thought, he can only regulate on the public schools that are getting money from the federal government, so schools like Valpo, Butler, Evansville, Notre Dame, and many others could just sit back and ignore it because Arne Duncan forgets that he can't really touch the private schools, so he's doesn't have a chance to do anything more than suggest an idea. He can't force it on the NCAA.

[vuweathernerd]

i don't like this idea either. surely, the department of education has more important things to worry about.

[valporun]

Mar 17, 2010 22:25:45 GMT -5 vuweathernerd said:

i don't like this idea either. surely, the department of education has more important things to worry about.

Duncan is trying to reform NCLB, but that issue has as much need for reform in everything as health care reform does...and the money to support it all.

[vuweathernerd]

but the ncaa is a private entity, not a government program. and if it's not a government program, then doe shouldn't really be sticking their noses into it.

[valporun]

Mar 18, 2010 8:55:54 GMT -5 vuweathernerd said:

but the ncaa is a private entity, not a government program. and if it's not a government program, then doe shouldn't really be sticking their noses into it.

I agree that Duncan should leave the NCAA alone, but the education situation at the state schools kinda falls under his jurisdiction at the same time. I see where he wants to do something about getting the Kentuckys, Michigans, Wisconsins, UConns, Ohio States, to keep the student-athletes on a track to graduate on time, or within five years, but this also requires knowing why some of these student-athletes are not finishing at the institution falling below this proposed 40% rate. Figuring transfers, walk-ons that see the light and either leave the team or transfer themselves, those who might have the scholarship and go pro, or those that for other unforeseen reasons leave the team (discipline, personal reasons, whatever). This is too big of a situation for Arne Duncan to concern himself with. Honestly, the college presidents and athletic directors should be paying attention to this more themselves, but all that fans, donors, alums, and students look at wins, losses, discipline, and they avoid graduation rates if the team goes dancing or has a strong postseason every year.