The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Commentary: NCAA caring about athletes performance in school

Mesoraco's slam sends Reds over Braves
7:38 a.m.
Lost chances cost Cougars
5/25/12
Badin advances to regional final
5/25/12
West hopes to keep winning
5/25/12
Is third time the charm for senior?
5/25/12
> More sports headlines

By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer 1:40 AM Sunday, February 12, 2012

When the NCAA created the Academic Progress Rate, it was hailed by the organization as a more real-time picture of how college athletic teams were performing in the classroom.

It was meant to pair with the older graduation rate data to help determine how well schools were doing in graduating athletes. It’s actually pretty simple: Each athlete can earn two points, one for staying eligible and another for returning to school the next term.

That’s it. The total points are divided by the total possible, and you get a score.

But now, the NCAA is reaffirming that its score, which for years was more of a wag-your-finger measurement, has some teeth.

On Friday, the NCAA denied a request from Connecticut for a waiver to appear in the 2013 NCAA tournament despite an APR score for men’s basketball that falls below the line to participate. The organization created a minimum APR score for postseason play as part of numerous reforms last year.

If they’re being honest, this is the kind of case the NCAA was secretly hoping for. UConn is a national power, last season’s national champion even, but the Huskies don’t have the necessary score. The NCAA’s waiver denial underlines that it’s trying to be serious about these changes, not just pass them during a meeting and send out a press release about them.

The university said the punishment is too harsh because the APR scores were produced in part by players no longer with the team. But that’s the reality of NCAA punishments, current teams affected by former teams.

If this remains and UConn doesn’t play in the tournament, it’s an eye-opener for the NCAA.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

Share this article