Sad situation for South Carolina. I mean, just about EVERY program in the SEC has some sort of winning history except for Vandy and South Carolina. Vandy, I understand, but it just seems to me that South Carolina has the fascilities and, certainly the fan base, to win but their powers that be treat exploit their fans' enthusiasim for the program but never going "all out for them". I see no reason why the SEC East always has to be a race between Florida, Tenn and UGA every year.
I don't disagree with that, but then again, I don't view S. Carolina any differently than I do the MS schools. From what I've seen, it's been simply too easy for other schools to take the top talent from the state. It's been that way for decades. What would be interesting is to see the roster from Danny Ford's years in the early 80's and his recruiting areas...then, make a comparison to what both schools are doing now. I'd almost be willing to bet most of the recruits were out of state. Fact remains, SC isn't as strong in high school programs as other SEC schools. That being said, the program John McKissick has at Summerville is outstanding. He's the most winningest high school coach living (and coaching) to date. That includes pro, college and high school...over 500 wins to date.
http://www.thestate.com/gamecocks/story/140216.html This appeared this morning in Columbia's newspaper. This kind of sums it all up. The school wants higher standard's then the NCAA's minimum where as Spurrier wants the minimum requirements to apply for athletes.
Found while surfing around this morning.... Barking up the wrong tree, is he? Click here for the story from the Greenville newspaper
I dont see "special talent" as being legit. How unfair is that to someone who wants to go to college, but maybe doesnt have the gpa or SAT/ACT score and happens to not have any special talent? Why dont they just have NBC come by and host auditions for SC's own "Who's Got Talent"? Yes, I don understand that every school, including LSU does this, but I dont think it should happen. I mean hell...its a school, not the NFL. Isnt education, what a college is all about? Either the NCAA should raise their standards for Divsion I schools, or the schools should lower their admissions standards so that everyone has the same oppourtunity no matter what "Special Talents" they have or dont have.
While you'll find this happening at all the SEC schools, you have to weigh the fact that S. Carolina has had 84% of their last three classes fall under these "special conditions." Look at the current class, last years class, and think about how many of them had question marks surrounding whether they would qualify vs how many you knew would qualify before they graduated high school.
sorry, guess my post was a little unclear. i was referring to the two USC recruits, not the UGA ones.
it makes perfect sense. some talents cannot be easily measured by high school grades or standardized test scores--like dancing, music, and sports. hard to see the scholarship in sports, however.
The "special talent" tag could more simply be put as one who will help to generate substantial amounts of money for the university. Academic students do not do this in most cases.
Spurrier is just blowing smoke. He ain't going nowhere. Doesn't most universities have higher standards for athletes? A non-athlete can spend more time focusing on academics than an student-athlete can. I can easily see an athlete who barely meets NCAA minimum requirement having a problem. If a university fails to graduate enough student-athletes it can lose scholarships. I think South Carolina's policy makes sense, but they need to give the athlete sufficient notice.
