* I read Mike M's explanation and views, now here are mine from a
* different perspective:
The infamous "academic index" is a number derived by factoring a
students GPA, class-rank, and SAT scores by a formula designed to
quantitatively relate a student candidates "worth" to that of his/her
fellow potential freshman. I am not privy to the make-up of the
AI formula, suffice it to say that it's results are relative only
to those thus subjected.
The AI is intended to ensure that all student-athletes are on academic
par with their fellow freshmen. The Ivy league also uses the AI to
enforce competitive (in athletics) parity, amongst themselves anyway.
Let me illustrate the last point -
In hockey each year there are (WAG) 200 potential Div I players who
seek admission as freshmen to a Div I college. If we apply the AI
formula to all 200 potential candidates, and plot the results,
the resultant curve is similar to that of ALL potential freshmen
candidates. Now, like it or not, each institution has "standards" by
which all candidates for admission are judged - that's life - we've
all been through it. Institutions which have higher minimum academic
standards for admission will accept students whose AI is > or = X.
The same goes for athletes. For certain Ivy schools the minimum AI
(X) is (for example) 195. Others in the Ivy may have theirs set at
190 and the rest at, say, 185. It is obvious to us that the schools
whose AI number is 185 will have more of the 200 potential Div I
candidates to chose from, therefore, in theory, this among many other
factors, should allow those teams to improve over time.
Do not be mislead into believing that the AI is the only factor
involved in accepting a freshman student-athlete at any given school.
These candidates must be subjected to the same familiar process for
acceptance as any applying freshman. This process creates a candidates
"profile". The "profile" is what causes a candidate to be accepted or
denied admission to an institution. Student-athletes are further
scruntinized based on the AI. Of course, a coaches recommendation
carries considerable weight.
I, for one, support this concept. Having gone through the process
with my son, I feel that a student/athlete should go to college to get
an education. This education should be the best education their means
can obtain. Hockey is one way for alot of these kids to attend
college, and for some, a college that they otherwise would not have
attended. All colleges impose limits on who is accepted, and what
academic standards must be maintained once in school. The ECAC and
the Ivies in particular, simply chose to keep tighter controls on
this aspect than other schools - whether you like it or not - whether
you agree or not - this is a fact. I have to believe that in doing
so, the powers that be at these institutions, are fully cognizant of
the fact that they are, in all probability, sacrificing a competive
advantage in athletics to schools whose acceptance standards may not
be quite as high therefore their access to the "pool of 200" is
deeper.
As for those athletes, who are students for convenience - and don't
deny that they exist - my feeling is that they should seek other means
to advance their athletic careers. Why should they occupy a spot
now denied to a person who would be a STUDENT-athlete? How often have
we heard the complaints of former college athletes who, for one reason
or another never made it as a pro, of how they feel used and now
forgotten. Of how, they were never "educated" at the college they
attended. Colleges and universities should not be in the "business"
of entertaining. They should educate ALL their students and provide
athletic entertainment to the best of their abilities within the limits
of all their students.
Applied to college hockey in particular - there should be restrictions
on who a coach recruits - and to the number of games played (just ask
a college hockey player how easy it is to take exams after a weekend
road trip!) - and to the type and amount of financial aid offered -
there should be limits and there are. Some school's limits are more
restrictive than others. If this is to be considered by some as
"elitism" then so be it. I don't see it that way at all.
If left to natural forces, the temptations of glory will often
overcome those of conscience.
Strictly my opinions - Walt
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