A problem with using a Coaches' APR is that APR is a measure of retention and eligibility, not necessarily graduation. The NCAA is uncertain of what the measurement predicts or for that matter what it means and is prematurely "rolling out" this concept to have the public believe it is doing something for academic integrity. The first coach fired or not hired for this reason would have grounds for a monster lawsuit.

As an educator, umpire/official, ex college/professional athlete, and past coach I believe it is our top job to guarentee our athletes recognize it is education first and athletic success second. Athletics is suppose to be an enrichment to education. All NCAA sponsored activities, music, cheerleading, etc should hold their students accountable in the classroom first. Too often athletes are "used" as tickets for coaching and school successes, they finish their sport, and enter into the community and life unprepared. With all the money for scholarships, and additional leadership/special opportunities for educational gains, these students should be leaders in the community.

Are Student Athletes allowed to let Friends Use their textbooks the received for free?

The strike zone in college baseball as I know it is---17 inches wide---under arms "letters" high---and just under the knees low. I've been told that the width ,"by agreement", has been expanded two baseball lengths on the outside and one length on the inside.Is this correct? If so, then it explains why umpires call so many off the plate strikes.

When working with an athlete and their parent(s) or giving a recruiting seminar, my final statement I make to them is...

If you were to have a career ending injury do you see yourself staying at the institution you have chosen to compete in for intercollegiate athletics?

If you can answer "yes", then you are choosing that institution/college for all the right reasons - academics over athletics...

Athletics will not put "bread" on your dinner table, but an academic degree will!

Unless every student athlete is unilaterally able to participate in college athletics despite grades, test scores and the NCAA clearinghouse, which is perhaps deterring the possibility of them participating in college athletics, you can't judge decisions to bypass college to play pro sports somewhere else.

I consult with student-athletes and their parents about college admissions and the sports recruiting process. I definitely agree with the above comment and pass that philosophy along to my clients. Unfortunately, many parents and kids are blinded by the chance to play college sports, especially when there are scholarship dollars involved. If they haven't really considered the entirety of the institution, they are often unhappy and drop out...something that could have been avoided by taking their "blinders" off early in the decision-making process.