Update from Geno on Incoming Freshmen, Team USA, etc.

[UConnCat]

I need to correct what I said about Achonwa. I incorrectly posted that Natalie played in the World Championships as a soph. She was a freshman in exactly the same position as Kia. Team Canada, Natalie, Muffet and Notre Dame made it work; I'm sure UConn can do the same. This is what Muffet said back then:

"This is such a tremendous accomplishment and it's a credit to Natalie for all the hard work she has put in to make this happen," Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw said. "She has a unique opportunity to be able to go up against some of the world's best players before she even plays a game at the college level. That kind of experience is going to be invaluable for her, and there's no doubt in my mind she'll be a better player for it. We couldn't be happier for her and are looking forward to following her progress at the World Championships."

 

[MilfordHusky]

Sure. Natalie just graduated. Four years ago would have been the beginning of her frosh year.

 

[UcMiami]

Not saying it is impossible or anything like that - just saying it is I think much harder for a freshman than a senior. I had forgotten about NA being on the team as a freshman.

 

[HoopsFan21]

The NCAA only requires Nurse be registered for a minimum of 12 hours. If the NCAA ever reaches the point of monitoring class attendance -- a road it can't go down for basketball teams that do miss classes -- then god help us. That's school policy, and mostly individual professor policy. Plus, who's to say Nurse's absence will be considered missed classes? There could be arrangements for the lectures to be recorded. Nurse and UConn won't be breaking new ground here.

I just find it interesting in light of the UNC academic scandal. The reason UNC can't be sanctioned is because the cheating or whatever you want to call it was extended to regular students. By allowing student-athletes to miss tons of class and basically set deadlines for assignments and tests around their athletic schedule, isn't that in essence providing a benefit to student-athletes that a regular student could never have?

 

[UConnCat]

I just find it interesting in light of the UNC academic scandal. The reason UNC can't be sanctioned is because the cheating or whatever you want to call it was extended to regular students. By allowing student-athletes to miss tons of class and basically set deadlines for assignments and tests around their athletic schedule, isn't that in essence providing a benefit to student-athletes that a regular student could never have?

No one is talking about missing tons of classes; no one is talking about setting deadlines that are different than other students. You have no way of knowing that. UConn athletes have been known to take (proctored) tests while on a road trips. As for missed classes, we're talking about excused absences and how the student can access the material that was covered in class. Excused absences are not limited to student-athletes. I'm sure other students who are members of organizations or clubs or groups (in any field) are accommodated if competitions/trips require them to miss class time. Students are accommodated if they need to miss classes or reschedule tests due to personal matters (family emergencies, illness).

 

[sawxfan23]

I just find it interesting in light of the UNC academic scandal. The reason UNC can't be sanctioned is because the cheating or whatever you want to call it was extended to regular students. By allowing student-athletes to miss tons of class and basically set deadlines for assignments and tests around their athletic schedule, isn't that in essence providing a benefit to student-athletes that a regular student could never have?

Take it from someone that played a sport at UConn, deadline extensions are just the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits that Athletes receive over regular students. Believe me I can tell you some stories that are far more interesting.

 

[Sonny44]

Guys, I'm sure Geno and Kia know the rules. They'll work it out.

 

[Sonny44]

Take it from someone that played a sport at UConn, deadline extensions are just the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits that Athletes receive over regular students. Believe me I can tell you some stories that are far more interesting.

Spare us please.

 

[hjoerring]

I just find it interesting in light of the UNC academic scandal. The oreason UNC can't be sanctioned is because the cheating or whatever you want to call it was extended to regular students. By allowing student-athletes to miss tons of class and basically set deadlines for assignments and tests around their athletic schedule, isn't that in essence providing a benefit to student-athletes that a regular student could never have?

I have given extra days to students who could not hand-in a paper because they were sick/family member died/computer problems, etc. That is not cheating nor xtra benefits. If a Univ cannot provide a student athl with special compensations to get their work done then that Univ should do away with D1 Programs. Today, most U have internet classes (my wife has a French class is totally internet based) and have a specified number of hours that a student should be in residence to be counted as 'real'. We have the Open U here in London and Harvard has a growing internet program, etc. The problem is more with team chem which starts during the summer pick-up games. It is during this time that the young bloods fight each other over who is to be blame for putting one too many ice cubes in Stewie's glass and not knowing which of the 30 basketballs is jefferson's favorite. Think Chong isn't so excited that she could kiss everyone of them for showing up early (assuming the walk-ons are declassified during the summer period and are wearing their ring.

 

[ThisJustIn]

Deadlines/due dates are a professors prerogative, not a Universities. A professor can choose how she handles due-date issues. I, for instance, am clear that a deadline is a deadline, and missing it will cost half a grade.... but, I'm only teaching one class, it's an apprenticeship (with practical, in-class/off-site work), so the requirements are different. Being a lab partner would be tough as a student-athelete.

IIRC, the main thing the NCAA requires is that a student-athlete complete a certain percentage of courses by/at the start (?) of her Junior year - which is 1) why summer classes are so useful/popular and 2) why participating in USA Basketball can be a challenge (it conflicts with school).

Obviously, it's a balancing act. It's why the 'benefits' of being a student-athlete include borrowed laptops, monitored study halls and tutors. I don't begrudge them -- but sure as heck no one cared how many extra hours I put in to a theatre production -- or what tech rehearsals did to my sleeping patterns... ;-)

 

[HuskyNan]

I just find it interesting in light of the UNC academic scandal. The reason UNC can't be sanctioned is because the cheating or whatever you want to call it was extended to regular students. By allowing student-athletes to miss tons of class and basically set deadlines for assignments and tests around their athletic schedule, isn't that in essence providing a benefit to student-athletes that a regular student could never have?

My son goes to a respected engineering school where there are several organizations that compete in various events from robotics competitions to race car design/racing. these aren't classes; they're clubs and students are permitted to work out schedules with professors and/or watch lectures online and hand in homework electonically. This situation isn't unique to sports. I think that anything that expands a child's knowledge and world view is just as valuable, if not more valuable, than sitting in a lecture hall listening to a professor read from a textbook (my Advanced Accounting prof did this).

 

[pap49cba]

Canadian training schedule released.... LINK

Kia is going to be a busy girl.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Thanks, Pap. Specific info helps.

It looks as if Kia will be gone about a week in early September, then for the tourney itself. Just hypothetically, suppose that Canada exits early. Does Kia go back to school, or does she stick around to watch Geno coach games?

 

[sarals24]

I'm sure she goes back to school. She'll have plenty of time to watch Geno coach in the next four years.