The CheckerBoard

Pretty Pathetic if you ask me. Doing bad in the classroom probably means they have a bad work ethic. That logic doesn't apply for all, but I bet it does for most.

I wouldn't worry about anything until an official statement has been made, just like Da'Rick, which turned out to be untrue even though numerous radio stations said he was probably gone.

Don't hate the messenger, but Kiff's team had a pretty good GPA when he was here, I believe.

Definelty not hating, but it was Fulmer's players making the grades, for the most part. I believe Dooley's recruiting process will take care of this in the future. We've taken a chance on some players, but considering our situation, we've had to. If Dooley starts winning and the program stabalizes more, he can be less tolerant of risky players.

I hear you man, when I was in school I had to keep a 3.25 to keep my scholarship (granted mine was academics based). Now these guys are forced to go to class, forced to go to study hall, and required to go to tutoring. My question is what are they doing that entire time that they can't make grades? UT is a great school but the classes for the most part aren't terribly difficult. You really just have to not do anything to not keep a 2.5 or better. It really is pathetic that the team GPA was 2.06.

Simmer down, fellas. Let's be big boys.

Not to make excuses for the players, but there is a significant difference:

I would wager you came from a high-school that had at least moderately good academics. I would guess you had parents who encouraged your academic pursuits. And I would bet that there was at least one person in your life that told you academics were a path to empowerment.

Many of these kids grew up in failing schools. Literacy is not even to be assumed. Their whole goal is built around athletics and they have done what it took to get through the process and little more because they see no value in it. Not because there isn't value in it, but because their culture has shown them no value.

I don't mean to talk down about these players, but it is absolutely true.

I'd encourage you to watch a film called "Waiting for Superman". Great depiction of the difference the academic environment through grade school can make on a kid's life, preparing them for future success.

+1 and I wish I could give you more.

I'll go back to read the article to see if it makes your post any more intelligent sounding.

Edit - yeah, so I read this piece. Sounds like a coach taking credit for something that he couldn't possibly control in that span of time. I think it's funny looking back that he was also bragging about how these kids were not getting into any trouble. Now that's funny.

Guys, don't start the vol on vol crime. Debate the issue without attacking each other.

Amen..we get enough of that garbage on TOS's! I'm still looking for some intel from the pros...Wes & company. Regardless, I think we can all agree that these guys need to hunker down on the school work, otherwise I vote that CDD send the messenger, Big Sal, to get the point across in no uncertain terms..."if ya know what I mean"!!

Duely noted MiltonVol...I should have known better