Academics vs. Athletics - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Academics vs. Athletics

Date: Jan 22, 2006

I think you'd better learn to spell hear before you post inflammatory material around here.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

I guess my English degree isn't worth too much is it?

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Birdman wrote:

Since it seems that we all are experts about academics and athletics, I was wondering which of the two are higher ranked in their respective areas. I know this is a difficult question to answer, but I would venture to say that the athletic program is statistically ranked higher. How many schools are rated by U.S. News & World Report? Are we not in the 4th tier? How many schools are in division I basketball? I think there are around 330. So, technically I would say our b-ball teams are doing better then the academic side. Let's here what you all think.

Your point isn't clear, and your statistical reasoning is flawed. Let's assume the extreme case (which is one way to approach a better understanding of a statistical issue). Hypothetically, let's start with the assumption (right or wrong) that academics and athletics are equally central to the mission of a university (we would have to drastically rewrite USM's mission statement, but, hey, we've been there before). Let's also assume that there are the same number of Div I schools and Universities in our academic classification (and that the dispersion of attribues of interest are about the same). Now, suppose out B-ball team was ranked in the top 16, and our academic programs (on average) are ranked in the bottom 16. Are you suggesting that we cull our academic programs even more to make the final four? Although I would love to be in final four (or even some part of March Madness), I'm not sure the commish would go for it. I'm open to suggestions (heck-let's get rid of English--you seem to think they failed you anyway).

Date: Jan 22, 2006

if you think your degree is worthless think about the poor usm athletes. not only are 99% of them not good enough to play their sport professionally, their academic qualifications are basically ged-level.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Hey, I resemble that comment. I was an athlete while at USM and have been able to be a productive citizen. My original post was not meant to ruffle any feathers. I just get agitated when the academic types downplay any athletic positives. I guess after reading my own post I now see how it can be misconstrued. I really am interested to know if there is a correlation with the basketball programs and the University academic programs and their respective rankings.

Before anyone critics my grammar, I'm sure I've probably made a few mistakes. However, I hope you can understand what I'm asking.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Birdman wrote:

I would say our b-ball teams are doing better then the academic side. Let's here what you all think.

Let's assume what you say is true. Then I think we should place more emphasis on academics and less on sports if this place has a snowplow's chance of surviving as an academic institution.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

mitch--i disagree with the first part of your first sentence (the point of the post is clear), but the last part of your first sentence is on the mark. but i wouldn't dignify the original post with an answer. might as well be restroom cleanliness and technology at different universities.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

add comparing before restroom.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Birdman wrote:

Since it seems that we all are experts about academics and athletics, I was wondering which of the two are higher ranked in their respective areas. I know this is a difficult question to answer, but I would venture to say that the athletic program is statistically ranked higher. How many schools are rated by U.S. News & World Report? Are we not in the 4th tier? How many schools are in division I basketball? I think there are around 330. So, technically I would say our b-ball teams are doing better then the academic side. Let's here what you all think.

Your are right there are about 330 teams. Tier I is 1-82. Tier II is 83-165. Tier III is 166-248. Tier IV is 249-330.

Eustachy's team is #271 in Sagarin today (1/22). Thus, we have a Tier IV basketball program. What else ya got?

Date: Jan 22, 2006

So, I guess our baseball and football teams have outperformed academics big time? Anyone know what place the overall athletic program finished. I know an award is given out on a yearly basis.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Sorry about the missing question mark in my last post.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Birdman wrote:

So, I guess our baseball and football teams have outperformed academics big time? Anyone know what place the overall athletic program finished. I know an award is given out on a yearly basis.

Using Sagarin, the football team would have been Tier III this year. That's certainly not outperforming academics "big time." There is no Sagarin for baseball.

I am about to kick up several posts regarding overall athletics at USM for you to chew. You won't see much of anything that will having you smilin' if you're an eagle fan.

Date: Jan 22, 2006

Until I moved to Hattiesville I never fully realized how fortunate I was not to have attended an undergraduate school that aspired to field a professional football team.