Terps men's basketball: Graduation rates up slightly
You all remember the zero percent graduation rate for the Maryland men's basketball team for players entering school from 1997 to 2000.
The NCAA just released the newest graduation success rates and the Terps basketball team is now at 10 percent. This covers the four entering freshmen classes from 1998-99 through 2001-02.
We're getting reaction from College Park and will post soon. We'll also compare Maryland's rates with those of the other ACC schools.
Two years ago, the NCAA calculated the men's basketball team's graduation success rate at 18 percent, ranking it at the bottom of the conference. The rate was listed at 30 percent in 2005, also last in the conference.
Coach Gary Williams has long said that the figures reflect the fact that many of his players leave to pursue pro careers.
The rate for the Maryland football team is upcoming in a few minutes and we'll look at other schools as well.
Comments
Wow, congratulations! 1 in 10 athletes (that receive a fully paid, or near fully paid) college education are able to complete said education! Deplorable.
Posted by: WillClark4HOF | October 14, 2008 3:11 PM
I don't want to say that Maryland's basketball players are stupid. That word is too harsh. But there is something that can be said for players that are serious about their education. Players that are serious about their education tend to play smarter basketball. When you combine physical basketball skills with intelligence, you get a very good player.
I think that is pretty much a no brainer.
So, I think Gary should make graduating a #1 priority for his team, and turning pro farther down on the priority list. Then maybe the Terps will start playing like they know what they are doing.
Posted by: John | October 14, 2008 3:22 PM
jeff can you list the players from the last 5 yrs who are playing pro ball. curious to see if the number of graduates and number of those playing pro ball equals 100%
Posted by: fkterp | October 14, 2008 3:33 PM
The NCAA employs a Double Standard that evolves around profit. Div 1 Footbal/ Basketball are huge cash cows for the NCAA. Parts of profits go right back into the University Programs that benefit athletes and non athletes alike. You can not accept the profit by biting the hands that feed it. I am an Alum and could really care less about athlete's grad rates.
Posted by: Rick from Annapolis | October 14, 2008 3:54 PM
Rick, you said it best. I haven't seen the stats, but I would guess that many of the best teams don't have high graduation rates. There probably are exceptions. One also needs to factor those who leave early to turn pro. Oh, and since only 10% are graduating, 90% are not getting fully paid college educations.
Posted by: riverside | October 14, 2008 6:46 PM
I'm not positive, but I think the grad rate doesn't not include Juco transfers and obviously players who transfer out. Not saying this as an excuse, but the formula makes a bad situation seem far worse. Especially, since MD relies on more than their share of Juco talent
-----FROM JEFF----
Hey, Steve. Players who transfer in are counted in the Graduation Success Rate but not in the federal graduation rate.
Those who transfer don't count against the school they left so long as they departed in good academic standing.
Posted by: Steve | October 14, 2008 7:01 PM
The national average for men's basketball is 62%. Duke had an 89% rate. Wake Forest graduated 100% of its athletes; North Carolina, 86%. Even UVA, which only graduated 55% of its players, far outshines Maryland.
This falls squarely on the shoulders of the head coach and the administration. I find it difficult to beileve that the school allows this to continue.
Posted by: WillClark4HOF | October 15, 2008 8:05 AM