Thursday February 15, 2007

Cox; PR; Ouch; Opening Day

Cox
Clemson turns down Jo Jo Cox but I still see misinformation continues. I read published reports this afternoon that read, "Clemson has denied RB Jo Jo Cox of Fork Union Prep, VA admission to school again. Cox was appealing his initial denial."

I want to make it clear that Cox was not denied admission because he was not applying to Clemson. He was denied the right to sign an LOI. I want this to be clear. Cox is currently at a prep school and like the other committed players who actually signed with Clemson on signing day he has to complete his academic work in order to be admitted into Clemson. The only difference is that Cox was not allowed to sign with Clemson. Receiving an LOI is not receiving an acceptance letter. I hate to keep repeating this put the misconception is still out there.

PR Nightmare
I read the letter from president Barker and I have been on the university website where they explain this process. The website's FAQ section claims:

"Our current graduation rates and academic progress rates (APR) are a source of pride in many of our sports. High graduation rates are the product of three things:

(1) appropriate admission practices, (2) effective academic support services, and (3) leadership of coaches in supporting academic matters. We have all three elements in place at Clemson for all our sports, and that explains why we have fared well thus far in both athletic competition and in the academic performance reporting now required by the NCAA. Our graduation rates serve as validation that our process that relies on admissions, academic support and coaching leadership is working."

Man, talk about arrogance. Instead of breaking their arms patting themselves on the back I believe I would have given the students-athletes a little credit. It may surprise some in charge but many student-athletes have busted their butts in the classroom to achieve. Give credit rather than take credit.

Also they give credit high graduation rates to appropriate admission policies. The AARC was not in place until five years ago and we have not seen the graduation rate data for those classes. The high graduation rates were the classes that were admitted before the AARC was in place.

The president of the Faculty Senate at Clemson tells a website that “If anything, we’d like to see more stringent guidelines,” she said. “[The president] isn’t looking to make concessions.”
They turn down Jo Jo Cox.

To top it all off I have already received a ton of e-mails from fans saying they were taken back by today's interview in the Greenville News. Most e-mails say a Clemson official sounded arrogant. The original article made mention of how the official had given so much money to athletics.

In the future I would stop the rhetoric. I would stop taking credit and start handling out compliments to the little people (the average Clemson fan and student-athlete). I would stop acting like those that disagree with policies are not as intelligent as you. I would stop talking down to people and start talking to the people. I would start telling the truth and start talking to the Clemson people. I know it is hard to believe but the Clemson people are not stupid. Give them credit. Give them respect. Just because people disagree with a policy that does not make it shocking. Our country is great because we can disagree. It may be a problem if you find it so unbelievable that some question your policies.

Ouch
That one really hurt. The Virginia loss stings but this one really reaches into your chest and tries to rip your heart out. At least Virginia is 8-3 but Wake is not a very good basketball team. I thought last night's win out the Tigers back on the bubble but there is still time to make the Big Dance.

Three of the final five games are at home and I think if the Tigers can win those three then 8-8 gets them in the tournament.

Opening Day
Please join Aly Haley, Roy Philpot and me Friday as we celebrate opening day of Clemson baseball at Mr.Knickerbocker in Clemson. We will have tons of Clemson baseball giveaways and broadcast from 2-3:45 before turning it over to Dan Scott for the pre-game show.

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