An email I wrote to Rosenburg/Snyder
Sorry for adding to the chaos and posting more about this BS, but I had to get my thoughts on paper! First time writing a diary so go easy...
"
Dear Mr. Snyder and Mr. Rosenberg,
In light of your recent article on the University of Michigan Football program, it made me think of why there was not any reporting done on the ever day life of a Michigan engineering student.
In your article, you claim that football players spend 15-21 hours during the off-season working out and then up to 20 hours over the NCAA mandated 20 hrs/week during the season. So let's assume they are spending 40 hours a week on working toward their professional career.
I spend 60 hours/week working toward my professional career of being a Space System Engineer. I don't sleep sometime, eat bad/fatty food at random times during the night, drink coffee, and sacrifice my social life. You may ask why I do this? Is it mandatory and do you need to be working that hard to just get an undergraduate/masters degree? The answer to that is no. I could easily do the bare minimum, but I will tell you that will not make me the best at what I do.
I participate in extra-curricular organizations/projects that are completely voluntary. No class credit/pay/compensation. I do it b/c it is required for me to get ahead of my competition. I've seen companies flat out deny a kid who has a 4.0 b/c he had no voluntary activities to prove he was really dedicated. That is what it takes to succeed in America! If you don't do it, someone else will b/c the competition is stiff in everything especially in a down-economic time!
This country was/is built on people working unnecessarily hard. As an immigrant to this country, I have some prospective on what happens in other nations and trust me no one is as lucky as we here. If you work hard enough here, you might just get the chance to make a name for yourself.
I'm not going to hide that I'm a Michigan Fan and was taken aback by your recent article. I understand that your doing your job and attempting to bring light to a serious problem of students being exposed to harsh conditions. What I fail to understand though, is why you chose to pick on athletes or Michigan specifically other than the fact it would attract public attention. I think I get exposed to just as serious mental/physical conditions in trying to get my graduate degree, yet it is expected from me and complaining about it would get me nowhere. If I was going to write the story, I would focus on the demands of society for individuals to be perfect whether its in sports, at NASA, or frying burgers at McDonald's.
Finally, I just don't understand why you are trying to get Michigan in trouble. Our states economy is a wreck and sports are some of the only sources of state pride and community. It's possible you have a personal bad opinion about Michigan due to an association with a rival school or a letter you received in high school from the University titled DENIED, however, this opinion should be left out when reporting.
Your going up against some of the smartest people in business with the athletic department and seemingly have no chance of bringing it down.
I invite you to interview me about how terrible the demands and work load is in the Engineering School!
Best
-KD
"
"
Dear Mr. Snyder and Mr. Rosenberg,
In light of your recent article on the University of Michigan Football program, it made me think of why there was not any reporting done on the ever day life of a Michigan engineering student.
In your article, you claim that football players spend 15-21 hours during the off-season working out and then up to 20 hours over the NCAA mandated 20 hrs/week during the season. So let's assume they are spending 40 hours a week on working toward their professional career.
I spend 60 hours/week working toward my professional career of being a Space System Engineer. I don't sleep sometime, eat bad/fatty food at random times during the night, drink coffee, and sacrifice my social life. You may ask why I do this? Is it mandatory and do you need to be working that hard to just get an undergraduate/masters degree? The answer to that is no. I could easily do the bare minimum, but I will tell you that will not make me the best at what I do.
I participate in extra-curricular organizations/projects that are completely voluntary. No class credit/pay/compensation. I do it b/c it is required for me to get ahead of my competition. I've seen companies flat out deny a kid who has a 4.0 b/c he had no voluntary activities to prove he was really dedicated. That is what it takes to succeed in America! If you don't do it, someone else will b/c the competition is stiff in everything especially in a down-economic time!
This country was/is built on people working unnecessarily hard. As an immigrant to this country, I have some prospective on what happens in other nations and trust me no one is as lucky as we here. If you work hard enough here, you might just get the chance to make a name for yourself.
I'm not going to hide that I'm a Michigan Fan and was taken aback by your recent article. I understand that your doing your job and attempting to bring light to a serious problem of students being exposed to harsh conditions. What I fail to understand though, is why you chose to pick on athletes or Michigan specifically other than the fact it would attract public attention. I think I get exposed to just as serious mental/physical conditions in trying to get my graduate degree, yet it is expected from me and complaining about it would get me nowhere. If I was going to write the story, I would focus on the demands of society for individuals to be perfect whether its in sports, at NASA, or frying burgers at McDonald's.
Finally, I just don't understand why you are trying to get Michigan in trouble. Our states economy is a wreck and sports are some of the only sources of state pride and community. It's possible you have a personal bad opinion about Michigan due to an association with a rival school or a letter you received in high school from the University titled DENIED, however, this opinion should be left out when reporting.
Your going up against some of the smartest people in business with the athletic department and seemingly have no chance of bringing it down.
I invite you to interview me about how terrible the demands and work load is in the Engineering School!
Best
-KD
"
August 31st, 2009 at 3:34 PM ^
lol...wasn't it only 1-4 hours over per week during the season? 21-24? Unless I misread everything.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:38 PM ^
He got a letter form the University titled: ACCEPTED, He went to Michigan, its not anti U of M, it is anti RR. He does not like the guy plain and simple. He has been at alumni functions saying how RR is not the "right fit" blah blah. He does not like RR at Michigan period.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:07 PM ^
Rosenberg & Snyder are both Michigan grads. We all know WHY they wrote it. They want to sell papers. Look at all the attention they're getting right now and in the media there is no such thing as good and bad attention because they both sell papers. This is aimed at Rich Rod. No idea where the beef is (whether its the whole Carr's Crew or something else) but the agenda is clear.
Hope the letter was cathartic but sadly, the only thing we can do is yell & scream and deal with the mud being thrown on the program (whether it be deserved or not) and hope for a winning season.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:40 PM ^
Yep. Any smart college kid studies or is in class for about 60 hours per week, much less 20 to 40.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:44 PM ^
I see your point, but I don't know many (if any) kids that study/are in class for 60 hours a week.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:54 PM ^
Grad students. I push 60 hours a week some sometimes, and I'm pretty lazy.
But I do it because I love it. Much in the same way I assume that football players work more because they love it.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:48 PM ^
I would even say that the smart ones don't spend 20 hours in class. They just show up for tests.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:41 PM ^
the NCAA doesn't have a list of rules as to how much time you (Engineering students) can and cannot spend on academics or extra-curricular activities. While there are parallels, the NCAA doesn't care if you drop dead from poor diet or lack of sleep. And, the grammar Nazi would like to chat, with you, a bit.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:54 PM ^
Remember, I'm an engineer and not of the alien mold that Brian is...
I read it over once before sending it out... I didn't have much time to spend making it perfect.
I didn't realize that Rosenburg went to Michigan, and I probably shouldn't have put the personal bash in it. My anger must have gotten to me...
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:31 PM ^
And while the NCAA does have regulations for how much time an athlete can spend on required events, it's very obvious that the writers of the Free Press didn't take the time to look up those rules
August 31st, 2009 at 3:42 PM ^
What was their email address? Wouldn't mind filling their inbox with a (professional) piece of my mind :-)
August 31st, 2009 at 3:47 PM ^
Mark Snyder can be reached at 313 223 3210 or online at [email protected]
Rosenberg can be reached at 313 222 6052 or online at [email protected]
Drop them a line and let them know how many tears you will shed when their toilet tissue delivery service folds.
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:33 PM ^
I have sent them several emails with valid concerns regarding their article and they have yet to respond to me. I was neither threatening nor distasteful in my emails. Sending them an email with hopes of getting a reply is a waste...but it made me feel better at the time
August 31st, 2009 at 3:43 PM ^
Nice email but I think you wasted your time,they'll never respond.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:43 PM ^
Minus all the grammatical mistakes and egregious errors in factuality (exactly what he's calling Rosenberg & Snyder out for), it was ok.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:52 PM ^
I understand the sentiment, but I think that a letter sent telling them that they didn't do a great job needs to be proofed. It seriously detracts from your argument when there are spelling and grammar mistakes.
I think the main issues were their tone, lack of objectivity, not providing proper context, and blatant glossing over of facts that might detract from their point. The report and articles are a sham, but your analogy isn't a great fit.
I appreciate the effort though, just my 2 cents.
Go Blue.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:58 PM ^
Next time, I'll spend more than 15 seconds looking over it. By the end of the time I spent writing it, I wanted to just be rid of it so I can actually focus on some work!
Sorry for the Typos!
August 31st, 2009 at 3:45 PM ^
Well written and poignant until the personal attack in the DENIED paragraph. Not that they would take your points seriously to begin with, but they definitely won't with your (incorrectly) postulating about their admissions.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:00 PM ^
Like the passion, but, next time, why don't you just drop a few bucks for Brian at Beveled Guilt and let the pro take over.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=mgoblog%4…
August 31st, 2009 at 4:28 PM ^
I laughed at the surrogate panhandling,
but I thought Brian created the diaries section to allow people other than "the pro" to express themselves.
sure Section 27 didn't research his facts about Rosenberg attending Michigan, but I think he expressed his point well that authority figures establish guidelines that say, X is passing but X+Y really impresses me, and I will provide an incentive to get there.
I really don't understand this diary bashing. Although it does seem like Rosenberg isn't the only one with a problem.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:39 PM ^
Hey Blue in Seattle, I wasn't trying to bash the diary, but, now that you mention it, the piece just wasn't well-researched or written. I'm all for high-quality diaries when they are written.
Please take my comment friend-ily. I'm on your team!
August 31st, 2009 at 4:56 PM ^
I just assumed you were talking about the Free Press article.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:02 PM ^
I actually think his letter was sincere - the part at the end was unnecessary. It should have said something about RR stealing Rosenberg's toy investigative journalist pad and pen. Here's what I would have wrote, since they wouldn't read it anyhow:
Mr. Rosenberg,
You, sir, are a douchebag. kthx.
Signed,
Michigan Grad.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:24 PM ^
I hope you dont mind, but I just sent them nearly the exact email you suggest.
August 31st, 2009 at 6:04 PM ^
Interesting spin on the whole 40hrs mandate. Ira on WTKA mentioned this morning he works way more than 40 to do his job and anyone whose ever listened knows Sam Webb is constantly busy and all over the place. Is preparation voluntary? Yes, but so is playing time. pass it on as a letter to the editor to freep.
August 31st, 2009 at 6:14 PM ^
I congratulate Section 27 on his dedication and work ethic. If he needs 60 hours weekly on his academics to prepare for his hoped for profession as a Space Systems Engineer, more power to him. It is also impressive that he makes time for other activities, even if only because he (she?) feels them necessary for resume purposes.
The NCAA rules are purportedly there because, they hope (or pretend) that most NCAA football players (even Michigan players) are NOT expecting football to be their professional careers. Once upon a time at Michigan, football players were expected to be students. Some of them went on to become physicians (Kirk Lewis, Dom Tedesco, Dave Gallagher, all starters, one a first round NFL draft choice, come to mind), lawyers (Ken Higgins was a remarkable student), businessmen (Gil Chapman had a very successful Ford dealership, bench jockey Dave Brandon runs Domino's), and more (does anyone who reads this blog remember Stephan Humphries?).
Now, if the class load is less than, say, 20 hours weekly, including study time, 40 hours at football may be possible, especially for someone with Section 27's drive and ambition. But, as I recall, even a modest class load had 12 to 15 hours of classroom time alone each week, it is a remarkable student who can do world-class university academic work on a total weekly time of 20 hours in class. Especially if, as this blog reports, the GPA is the highest it has been in years.
Now, if the scholarship student athletes are performing academically in a fashion which reflects well on the University of Michigan, I say RR needs only win a game here and there to be one of the finest coaches in the history of the University, or, for that matter, the United States. If they resemble Andy Katzenmoyer, regardless of his wins and losses, he is a failure.
Maybe Rosenberg does want to be a yellow journalist, and maybe he does hate RR. The important people in the program are the young men, most of whom will never see an NFL tryout, much less an NFL roster. Maybe someone, somewhere, should spend some time worrying about THEM.
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