Is NCAA's academic penalty fair? Cleveland says no
By now, you know the NCAA penalized Fresno State men's basketball three scholarships for next season - the governing body for college athletics averaged the number of scholarships Fresno State awarded during the last four years (11) and subtracted by one.
This was the program's penalty for a historically low Academic Progress Rate.
Coach Steve Cleveland called the calculation "unfair" because it includes circumstances that Fresno State has already been punished for.
Fresno State awarded just nine scholarships in 2003-04 because of self-imposed scholarship reductions. They were a result of a former team statistician writing 17 papers for three players and being paid $1,500.
As a result, Fresno State also imposed a two-year probation and postseason ban. Later, the NCAA placed Fresno State on probation through 2010.
Fresno State awarded 11 scholarships in 2004-05 and 2005-06. The number increased to 13 last season.
Fair or unfair?
By the way, this is Fresno State's annual APR scores: (Each new score is averaged to create a multi-year score. The annual score doesn't mean anything, other than to show immediate improvements or vise versa.)
2003-04 - 611
2004-05 - 818
2005-06 - 905
2006-07 - 885
Current multi-year APR - 816
Comments
Hi Gary,
Out of curiosity, is there any way that Sims could play next year as a walk-on? After all, he's in good academic standing, could take grad courses, and has shown alot of maturity by staying in school. He didn't play his senior year so it seems like he might have some eligibility left. I know it's a crazy idea, but I'm curious nonetheless if Cleveland has even considered this... It would certainly benefit everyone concerned, including Sims...
Posted by: Shaun Lopez | May 8, 2008 8:07 AM
Great hypothetical question... Never thought of that. I just put a call in to the athletic department to help with an answer. I know Sims could have transferred to Fresno Pacific in time to play at least part of last season, but I'm not sure where his elegibility is. My hunch is that it's gone because he's on scholarship right now; whether he played or not doesn't matter. But I'll get you an official answer in the coming hours...
I can also say that it won't happen. Rekalin has played college basketball at Salt Lake Community College, Kentucky and almost at Fresno State. He's 23 years old. Last we talked, he was ready to move on with his life and give pro basketball a shot.
Posted by: Gary Estwick, Fresno Bee | May 8, 2008 1:23 PM
Alright, I've got the answer. Sims can't play next year at Fresno State or any other college because he will be out of eligibility. Sims used up his senior year, even though he was dismissed before the regular season and never appeared in a game. He has spent the 2007-08 year on scholarship...
Posted by: Gary Estwick, Fresno Bee | May 8, 2008 1:51 PM