BlockM

June 8th, 2010 at 11:40 AM ^

As Rittenberg states, this will provide some insight into how much of an uphill battle RR is fighting right now.  Kid deserves the chance, IME, and we need him on the field.

loosekanen

June 8th, 2010 at 11:43 AM ^

I kind of always thought that kids from a past that required them to bust their ass to achieve something tend to improve as students/humans as they age. Especially with the support structure Demar would have around the football team I don't see the University being able to say no to a kid that has, apparently, worked his tail off to qualify.

That said, cue Freep article on RR fighting for kids that are bad for the University.

Mitch Cumstein

June 8th, 2010 at 11:50 AM ^

I agree with your point. I think it is hypocritical of a university that has forced affirmative action on admissions processes for all the wrong reasons, then when they get a chance to actually do what AA intends they balk. Apparently UM is only looking for pictures of diversity in brochures and racial statistics, but when actually getting the chance to open social/economical/educational doors to diversity its too big a risk. What a bunch of bull. Regardless, as stated in your point I think that DD has improved his life in the effort to make it in and hopefully he carries that with him wherever he ends up.

NOLA Wolverine

June 8th, 2010 at 1:24 PM ^

Open up social/economical/educational doors? Wait, are you advocating that Michigan adopts Arizona State-esc admittance policies? Or perhaps that we just let this one kid who can run real fast in, because, well, he can run real fast. Let's not pretend like Demar is some reformist-scholar trying to get into Michigan because, academically, they draw some of the best young minds in the country to their campus. He’s going to college to get his football degree. That being said, I don’t see any issue (other than the police encounters) letting him in. Let him come rake in the football revenue.

Blue in Seattle

June 8th, 2010 at 1:32 PM ^

Multiple posters who claim experience in college admissions offices have posted that it's most likely that they are waiting for official grade reports so they can make a correct and justified decision?

Why is everyone assuming the University of Michigan admittance office has said no and RR is there on his knees begging them to reconsider?

Given the present media environment around Michigan football lately, I hope they go through all documents with a fine toothed comb and wait for the ditto snail mail copies of every document with all stamps and seals attached.

seems like there is still plenty of time before fall/summer practive starts up for freshman attending this fall semester

Mitch Cumstein

June 8th, 2010 at 1:52 PM ^

I'm not suggesting UM do anything. I'm simply stating that after hearing Mary Sue and tens to hundreds of UM students talking down to me, telling me how privileged I am, and handing me anti-prop2 fliers, I find interesting parallels in what they were preaching then to what they are denying now. I honestly don't care either way. There is definitely an argument to be made for both. However, if it is UM admissions that is pulling the "we're better than that" card (as is the current conjecture seems to point to), I think it is a little hypocritical of obvious university positions in the past. That is all.

BlockM

June 8th, 2010 at 11:57 AM ^

Unless he's not the one doing the straining. Fighting for a kid he's extended a scholarship offer to is part of his job. There are people that should be backing him in this situation, and if they aren't, I'd say they're probably the ones straining the ties.

B

June 8th, 2010 at 11:46 AM ^

Everybody knows there is affirmative action for football players.  I don't understand why they draw the line here.  Lots of guys on that team could not have cleared admissions but for their athletic ability.  How come we aren't worried about our academic reputation with them?

Pea-Tear Gryphon

June 8th, 2010 at 11:58 AM ^

There were a number of articles feigning outrage over the fact that Michigan would recruit such a thug-like, low-character football player to make the Admissions Dept. take a closer look. Those articles were all crap, but this is now more of a public matter than other recruits. The Admissions Department is citing other factors (run-ins with law) as their reason for the delay, but it looks like they are trying to protect the "Michigan Image" now. If DD wasn't front page news, he would be in by now. That's a fact.

Blue in Yarmouth

June 8th, 2010 at 12:28 PM ^

The problem for admissions is they knew about those "run-ins"  before he was ever recruited or subsequently committed. Nothing I have read says that DD  has been in any further trouble since signing day so if his academics are in order and he hasn't been in trouble, why is he not in yet?

If those things turn out to be fact (not getting in trouble and being academically eligible) and he is refused admission, I can't help but think this is going to impact future recruiting for UM. Why would recruits committ to an institution that will accept a letter of intent, only to have their admission denied in the summer? This is F*ing insane to me.

Edit* Also, many people on the board in the past have voiced their anger about recruits who commit and then decommit and go elsewhere. This, IMHE, is far worse than an 18 year old changing his mind as to what University he wants to attend.

Maizeforlife

June 8th, 2010 at 1:10 PM ^

None of those "run-ins with the law" have led to a single conviction for a single crime.  I used to work in admissions and this is nothing new.  Athletes are given the benefit of the doubt every time, hell Kevin Grady was allowed to stay in the school AND on the team after getting a DUI.

Flying Dutchman

June 8th, 2010 at 11:49 AM ^

West Virginia would have accepted Dorsey in a second.  In my opinion, you can't expect Rodriguez to deliver similar results on a bigger stage if you can't get his players, especially a kid like this, into school.  C'mon administration, help us all out.

Slinginsam

June 8th, 2010 at 11:55 AM ^

Exactly what point is the admissions department is trying to prove?  That our school is so much better than everyone else?  

I would guess that USC and Texas(both academically comparable to Michigan) have admitted recruits with sub-standard grades/scores.

If he has passed the NCAA clearinghouse requirement, let him in.  

The whole thing is ridiculous.  People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

WichitanWolverine

June 8th, 2010 at 12:58 PM ^

"Exactly what point is the admissions department is trying to prove?  That our school is so much better than everyone else?"

Yes, it is.  This whole thing is a big crock of shit; we already lower our standards for athletes so why not let him in if he met NCAA requirements?  If we want to be a national power again, we need to let borderline guys like Dorsey in.

Section 1

June 8th, 2010 at 1:42 PM ^

...when I'd have had doubts about the recruitment of a Demar Dorsey.

No more.

Now, I want Dorsey, in particular, admitted, as a statement.  A statement that the Free Press and other media will not act as an admissions department for our football program.  I want there to be a successful, redemptive Demar Dorsey story.  So that we can distiguish ourselves from certain other thug environments who shall remain nameless.  And so that we have a story to shove down the throats of Drew Sharp and Mick McCabe.

In reply to by lbpeley

PurpleStuff

June 8th, 2010 at 3:46 PM ^

I think what he was trying to say is that considering we have only won a share of one national championship in the past 60+ years, it doesn't make any sense to suggest that we can win at the highest levels while simultaneously having far different admission standards than our competition, especially when no other school has been able to do it. 

SysMark

June 8th, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^

Keep in mind is that it wouldn't just end with him being admitted - they have to make sure he has a high probability of succeeding at Michigan.  If he comes in and fails academically, or something else happens, we will have been worse off than if he were never admitted.  Like everyone else here I want him to come to Michigan and succeed but they may be doing the prudent thing in taking their time and making sure.

MAgoBLUE

June 8th, 2010 at 12:14 PM ^

I agree with what you said about the need for caution before admitting Dorsey but at some point they need to make a concrete decision.  If they continue to delay it sends the wrong message to Dorsey that yes you are a problem and we don't have much confidence in your ability to be successful at Michigan.  Then if things go sour it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy

Blue in Yarmouth

June 8th, 2010 at 12:39 PM ^

To me there would be three likely scenarios that could play out:

1) He comes to university and plays for the UM fottball team. Somewhere during that time he finds that the academics are too difficult and drops out and we are down one scholarship player (this HAS happened before).

2) He comes to UM and plays on the football team. Once here it becomes clear to him that in order to realize his dream of becoming a pro football player academics need to take a higher priority. He takes advantage of the multitude of resources UM has to offer him in terms of tudors, study groups etc and finds he is much more capable academically than he ever gave himself credit for and plays four years in good academic standing for the UofM Wolverines.

3) We don't let him in and are still down a scholarship player. He moves on and scenario 2 plays out at another institution.

What scenario do you have in mind where letting a kid who is academically eligible in to have a chance to play football and prove himself is a bad idea?