ESPN (A bunch of Death-Spiraling maroons)

[jlb1705]

We are talking about a football player, no? I thought it pretty clear that I was questioning the role of Alabama's players as student-athletes. I respect Alabama as an institution, I don't see why you would bring that up when I was referring to the quite evidently non-existent standards the school has for its athletic department's academics. The school as an institution and the school's athletic department are two entirely separate spheres - I was referring to latter and not the other.

Does Max's point not extend to non-athletes at Alabama as well? I'm sure a significant portion of every freshman class at Alabama needs some sort of remedial work in mathematics, reading or writing. That being the case, why should we expect that to not be the case for their football players?

My question is that if he's taking a remedial course in his junior year then wtf has he been taking up to now?

First of all, since it's a 100-level class and not a 080 or 090-level class, I doubt it was remedial.

Secondly, is it not possible for a student to have a favorite class that took place two years before the question was asked?

Thirdly, math is clearly not the kid's strong suit, yet it ended up as his favorite class. If he was academically honest and did well in the class, then good for him. I wish more of my students who aren't strong in math came out of it with his kind of attitude.

Finally, asking how the hell some students manage to justify avoiding basic, important courses until their third or fourth year in college... welcome to my job. If some students put as much effort into studying math as they do trying to avoid it, they'd have fewer problems with it.

 

[redguard117]

Does Max's point not extend to non-athletes at Alabama as well? I'm sure a significant portion of every freshman class at Alabama needs some sort of remedial work in mathematics, reading or writing. That being the case, why should we expect that to not be the case for their football players?

Maybe it was naive of me, but I automatically assumed that part of academically qualifying at a Big Ten (or any non-SEC school for that matter) institution involved having taken and passed pre-pre-Calculus. I.e., grade school math. Let's just say I was disappointed that Dee was being afforded a full scholarship to such a reputable (*cough*) school having not even met what I assumed was a basic eligibility cutoff. Looking back, I realize I don't actually know what or even whether such a cutoff exists, so chalk that up to a faulty assumption. Doesn't make it less sad however. Hell, Berkeley/several schools don't even let you apply without, at the bare minimum, the SAT II Math II.

 

[jlb1705]

Maybe it was naive of me, but I automatically assumed that part of academically qualifying at a Big Ten (or any non-SEC school for that matter) institution involved having taken and passed pre-pre-Calculus. I.e., grade school math. Let's just say I was disappointed that Dee was being afforded a full scholarship to such a reputable (*cough*) school having not even met what I assumed was a basic eligibility cutoff. Looking back, I realize I don't actually know what or even whether such a cutoff exists, so chalk that up to a faulty assumption. Doesn't make it less sad however. Hell, Berkeley/several schools don't even let you apply without, at the bare minimum, the SAT II Math II.

The NCAA clearinghouse requires three years above the Algebra I level for initial eligibility. The quality of instruction at the high school level varies widely, as does the extent to which high school football players are graded or expect to actually participate in those classes. I wouldn't be one bit surprised if he arrived at Alabama with all the right courses on his transcript without being made to actually demonstrate competency at a level beyond what would have kept him eligible to suit up on Fridays in high school.

Besides, not every college or university has the same mission as Ohio State or the rest of the B1G. Some of them exist in places where the students are that are underserved and/or underprepared, and the institution's mission is to provide access to a quality undergraduate education and bridge the gap between an inadequate high school education and college-level requirements. I know around here it's easy and popular to bash or look down on that sort of thing, but there are more D-I instituions who serve that sort of purpose than one similar to Ohio State and the rest of the B1G. That's the way it should be in my IMO - our society has a use for both kinds of university.

 

[Buckeyevsworld]

Can we bring this discussion back to hot sauce. For pure flavor, this is the one for me.

No. :/

 

[Nutriaitch]

Can we bring this discussion back to hot sauce. For pure flavor, this is the one for me.

i'm telling you, Louisiana hot sauce is better than Crystal.

lots of imitators have attached our state's name to their products, and use it generically for hot sauce.

but the actual name brand "Louisiana Original" is still the best.

 

[Hodgepodge]

Maybe it was naive of me, but I automatically assumed that part of academically qualifying at a Big Ten (or any non-SEC school for that matter) institution involved having taken and passed pre-pre-Calculus. I.e., grade school math. Let's just say I was disappointed that Dee was being afforded a full scholarship to such a reputable (*cough*) school having not even met what I assumed was a basic eligibility cutoff. Looking back, I realize I don't actually know what or even whether such a cutoff exists, so chalk that up to a faulty assumption. Doesn't make it less sad however. Hell, Berkeley/several schools don't even let you apply without, at the bare minimum, the SAT II Math II.

I'm not sure how it is now, but I remember back in 1990 when Chuck Jones somehow managed to enroll at OSU he was taking these remedial courses. Heck, I helped Chuck frequently with his math, and my son who is in 5th grade knows more than he did. Seriously. Of course, Chuck made little effort, so he flunked out within a quarter anyway.

OSU is certainly a lot more advanced than they were back in 1990, and the caliber of student-athlete OSU can accept is definitely superior to that of 1990, but there was a time not that long ago that OSU and Alabama weren't all that different academically.

 

[BUCKYLE]

I'm not sure how it is now, but I remember back in 1990 when Chuck Jones somehow managed to enroll at OSU he was taking these remedial courses. Heck, I helped Chuck frequently with his math, and my son who is in 5th grade knows more than he did. Seriously. Of course, Chuck made little effort, so he flunked out within a quarter anyway.

OSU is certainly a lot more advanced than they were back in 1990, and the caliber of student-athlete OSU can accept is definitely superior to that of 1990, but there was a time not that long ago that OSU and Alabama weren't all that different academically.

1. That's assuming Alabama wasn't shittier back then.
2. Forrest Gump played for Bear Bryant

 

[BigWoof31]

but the actual name brand "Louisiana Original" is still the best.

100% agree with Nutria's claim

 

[Merih]

Maybe it was naive of me, but I automatically assumed that part of academically qualifying at a Big Ten (or any non-SEC school for that matter) institution involved having taken and passed pre-pre-Calculus. I.e., grade school math. Let's just say I was disappointed that Dee was being afforded a full scholarship to such a reputable (*cough*) school having not even met what I assumed was a basic eligibility cutoff. Looking back, I realize I don't actually know what or even whether such a cutoff exists, so chalk that up to a faulty assumption. Doesn't make it less sad however. Hell, Berkeley/several schools don't even let you apply without, at the bare minimum, the SAT II Math II.

Plenty of OSU football players who have been in those similar classes.

 

[Poe McKnoe]

Plenty of OSU football players who have been in those similar classes.

There have been more than a few, but those players aren't currently featured in an ESPN article trumpeting the role of student athletes. Thus -> irony.

 

[MaxBuck]

i'm telling you, Louisiana hot sauce is better than Crystal.

lots of imitators have attached our state's name to their products, and use it generically for hot sauce.

but the actual name brand "Louisiana Original" is still the best.

Whatever. I still prefer Cholula on my eggs.

But I have yet to taste better coffee than Community. Scrambled eggs with mushrooms and Cholula, sourdough toast with unsalted butter, and Community coffee. That's breakfast I could eat every day until I croak, and love every one.

 

[Nutriaitch]

Whatever. I still prefer Cholula on my eggs.

But I have yet to taste better coffee than Community. Scrambled eggs with mushrooms and Cholula, sourdough toast with unsalted butter, and Community coffee. That's breakfast I could eat every day until I croak, and love every one.

excellent choice.

i begin every day by consuming a pot of Community Dark Roast.

 

[buckiprof]

I can assure you that if this course is a prerequisite for pre-calculus algebra or for finite mathematics, the topics in this course are of the remedial level. Just because a course has a leading digit of '1' does not suddenly make the topics college level. I have been down this road here in Ohio, I have had to point this out to more than one confused administrator at my institution when looking at transfer students transcripts, and in recent years, the Ohio Board of Regents has addressed this issue.

Now with all of that said, maybe the state of Alabama defines remedial mathematics differently than the state of Ohio. But I can definitively say that if one were to take that 100-level mathematics course in Alabama and then transfer to Ohio State, said student would not receive credit for it as being a college level mathematics course. The course topics, as well as what it is a prerequisite for, would indicate it is remedial.

Now none of this really has anything to do with what happens at Alabama. There is nothing wrong with any student taking a remedial mathematics course. Personally, I think there is something wrong with a student waiting until their third year in an institution of higher education to take a remedial course, so they can then take a college level course that actually counts. This belief of mine is true for any student.

And really what does any of this have to do with 5 dudes getting a blow job at Pitt?

 

[Muck]

i'm telling you, Louisiana hot sauce is better than Crystal.

lots of imitators have attached our state's name to their products, and use it generically for hot sauce.

but the actual name brand "Louisiana Original" is still the best.

Louisiana, Crystal, Cajun Chef, Franks and even Texas Pete's are all pretty much 'six of one a half dozen of another'.

Tapatio > Cholula

Matouk is awesome on hot dogs.

 

[LovelandBuckeye]

Louisiana, Crystal, Cajun Chef, Franks are all pretty much 'six of one a half dozen of another'.

Tapatio > Cholula

Matouk is awesome on hot dogs.

Tapatio goes on every breakfast at my house and Slap Ya Mama.