The 2009 Academic Progress Report was recently released. Not exactly featured on the front of the Sports page and great to see stereotypes still apply.
When Pete Fiutak of FOX Sports mentioned that when Miami rolled in ranked 7th, he was quick to write, “no, not the Ohio version”.
Funny how some stereotypes will never die. Sad, actually.
The University of Miami ranked only behind Stanford, Air Force, Duke, Rutgers, Rice and Navy. State-funded Florida earned a respectable 20th while Free Shoes U proved they’re no academic juggernaut, ranked T80th. Also 80th, Virginia Tech and New Mexico. Mississippi State and West Virginia ranked higher. G-O N-O-W-E-L-Z!
For those who don’t know about the APR, every Division I sports team calculates its APR each academic year. The total is based on eligibility retention and graduation of each scholarship student-athlete. Miami 977 points was better than Notre Dame, Northwestern, Boston College, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest, all who fell between 10th and 20th.
The Canes scored a 977 in 2008, up from a 10th-ranked 966 in 2007 and for those who think this is a new trend, think again. From 1992-1997, UM was one of only eight schools to graduate at least 70% of its football student-athletes. The 2004 AFCA graduation rate was 84.2%; the nation’s average was 58%.
As for the ignorant fans who will chime in saying these stats are pointless, it’s all about Ws and Ls – check yourself. This is a university first and football program second. These players are here to get an education and play football; in that particular order. What Randy Shannon is instilling in this kids is not only bigger than the game, but it’ll make the better players. You need to be a winner across the board, not just on the field.
By molding young men, this will create better overall players. Top-flight recruiting classes and development of players are the other obvious parts to the equation.
Congrats Canes. Great work.
MEN’S SPORTS
Cross Country — 1000
Swimming (Diving) — 1000
Outdoor Track — 991
Indoor Track — 990
Football — 977
Tennis — 974
Baseball — 970
Basketball — 964
WOMEN’S SPORTS
Golf — 991
Volleyball — 990
Rowing — 984
Swimming — 978
Basketball — 975
Soccer — 970
Tennis — 969
Indoor Track — 966
Outdoor Track — 966
Cross Country — 927
I’ve got no gripe about Miami being behind those schools in this academic report. stereotypes for Miami will always be negative, no matter what.
WVU, the state with the most toothless people, ranked higher than FSU.
That’s an accomplishment in itself.
and this means nothing in football, if we can’t even win the ACC…
i think we need more THUGS from the 305!!!
Anonymous, c’mon now.
Last great ‘thug from the 305’ didn’t work out so well. Willie Williams ring a bell?
Guys like Ed Reed, Santana Moss, Clinton Portis and Reggie Wayne weren’t “thugs” in any way, shape or form. All could ball and all succeeded in the classroom, as well.
Doing well in the classroom will build character. A type of character that’s been lacking at UM for years now. Butch Davis suspended kids for grades and missing study hall the same way Randy does. It breeds ACCOUNTABILITY — something else that’s been missing in the football field the past few years.
Look at the bigger picture, brother. It’ll make for better football players AND it’ll benefit those kids who don’t go on to the NFL after their days at The U are over. It’s a win-win.
Its hard to take anyone to serious when they use anonymous and don`t even sign off anything at the end
RS is building something special here and from what I here it seems like alot of the old skool Canes have his back and know hes doing it the right way
This MAN knows what its like struggling in the early years and how hard life can be..needing a positive influence in their life
Someone they can go to about anything anytime. His door is always open
More then just a father figure to these players..he`s a leader
Bueno post~
This sort of info came in useful last week when a "friend" asked me which correction facility Miami was recruiting out of this season.
Living in Knoxville, it was simply academic to point out that his beloved UTvols were losing a hoops scholarship because the APR bar was set just a little too high for their caliber of athlete.
& if you're quiet, you can hear Tallahassee in unison, singing right now…
"OOOOOOOOO, AAAAA, OO–OO–OOOO
WE WERE AIMING FOR, BOBBY BOW-WOW'S AGE"
Also, expect this to translate as 305 sayeth: more kids are concerned with the head & field combination in the college selection process. Check recruiting bios; it certainly isn't a balance to the quality of the team, but it's more important than I've ever seen it.
Miami is a small private school with a top flight football program. Unlike FSU, Mississippi, Florida, etc, we don’t just sign anyone. We’ve had plenty of players who were not allowed in due to grades and/or red flagged test scores. Once on campus, the players have to produce in the classroom. It’s a great thing to see. This should be celebrated right up there with what is done on the field. These players only have so long on the gridiron, court, track or wherever, so the degree is important. Keep up the great work U teams!
-Columbus Cane
Great point Columbus Cane. How many kids has Miami turned away for grades, only to watch them go elsewhere and succeed on the football field? A ton… but rules are rules.
Only thing more disappointing than losing talented football players is the misconception that UM is still “full of thugs” and that Miami doesn’t get the credit it deserves for its stance on academics. Bogus.
Side note, shoot me a note at chris@allCanes.com when you get a sec. — C