Schlissel on athletics and academics (AD search related)
Some great reporting from the Michigan Daily on Schlissel's take on sports and the academic life of the University. It is certainly worth posting anyway, but especially because of this:
Schlissel added that Curzan [English Prof. Anne Curzan, who serves as faculty liaison to the Athletic Department and requests reports every semester on any classes with more than 20 percent student-athletes enrolled] said the Athletic Department “often tries to keep her at arm’s length,” expressing frustration regarding the marginalization of faculty governance in these matters.
“That’s why I’m taking a bit of time with the search for Dave’s successor,” Schlissel said. “Some folks wanted me to hire an athletic director (earlier) so he could fire the current football coach and hire the next coach but I want to take the time to make sure we get someone who is not only technically adept, but can ensure that the program has financial and academic integrity, and also someone who shares the value system of realizing our mission.
“People have been saying all kinds of things about who I’m talking to about positions and this sports stuff, and they name names of people who I have no idea who they are,” Schlissel said. “I’ve really learned that this whole athletic sphere and the usual way you approach things just doesn’t work. It’s just a crazed or irrational approach that the world and the media takes to athletics decisions.
“It’s a time sink,” he added.
Schlissel seems committed to maintaining the academic integrity of the sports teams. People will panic about what this means about Michigan's competitiveness going forward, but I think that many of us would be happy with a balanced approach. We don't want to replicate what happened at UNC, certainly.
Link: http://www.michigandaily.com/article/schlissel-talks-athletics-and-admi…
November 11th, 2014 at 1:13 PM ^
Taking your time to do the right thing. Now there's a concept!
Personally, I believe somehow that his current outlook and response to media questions are directly correlated to perhaps segmented disinterest from prospects who are a little apprehensive due to the state of the Program.
November 11th, 2014 at 1:22 PM ^
All the more reason to offer Harbaugh a blank check. Certainly Stanford is similar to what Schlissel aspires Michigan to be.
If we don't get Harbaugh, well, fuck. Ivy leage route it may be for Michigan.
November 11th, 2014 at 1:33 PM ^
outlining These Emerging Concerns for MGoBlog ??
The People-- Need to Get Involved . . . and soon
November 11th, 2014 at 1:57 PM ^
I'm all for a balanced approach. That being said, I still think Harbaugh fits that approach just fine. He coached at Stanford and played here. He knows what it takes and wouldn't settle for bringing in dumb dumbs.
Besides, as the OP posted, we don't want to go the other route where athletics is all that matters, and we eventually end up like UNC. That scandal doesn't just hurt the student athletes, but everyone associated with that school, from faculty to average joe students.
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November 11th, 2014 at 2:12 PM ^
Exactly. The guy knew what he was getting into when he applied for the job. People think the regents didnt vet him on his view on athletics during the interviewing process? People are flipping out reading into shit that hes not actually saying. He wants excellence both in the classroom and on the field/court, which is something Michigan has had no problem achieving for 135 years (minus the last 7).
November 11th, 2014 at 4:10 PM ^
Long-time lurker, new member, first post. BSEE ’79.
I’ve lived on the Left Coast for 30 years and I’m surrounded by a family of Stanford people, including my son who is there now.
It stung, but Harbaugh was fundamentally correct in his May 9, 2007 interview with Glenn Dickey a sportswriter for the SF Examiner:
"College football needs Stanford," he said. "We're looking not for student-athletes but scholar-athletes. No other school can carry this banner. The Ivy League schools don't have enough weight [because of their low athletic level]. Other schools which have good academic reputations have ways to get borderline athletes in and keep them in."
"Michigan is a good school and I got a good education there, but the athletic department has ways to get borderline guys in, and when they're in, they steer them to courses in sports communications. They're adulated when they're playing, but when they get out, the people who adulated them won't hire them."
Several points about Stanford , its athletes, and how they roll in Palo Alto:
- Stanford accepts students, including athletes, using a zen-like approach (this is California, fergodsakes) that includes the concept of “personal context.” That may take into consideration (in addition to intellectual curiosity) socioeconomic background, athletic load, and references. While a prospective Stanford athlete doesn’t need to be a 4.00 with a 2400 SAT, they do need to show a commitment to academic excellence within context.
- Stanford expects athletes to be in the classroom with muggles and most are because they actually see themselves as students first. It’s part of that intellectual curiosity thing. I’m sure it’s possible to game the system and not be much of a student but it’s pretty rare at Stanford. My son reports that there are, in fact, Stanford athletes who just aren’t very bright so their system isn’t perfect.
- Athletes can choose to live among the muggles or they can remain in their own world. My muggle is 140 pounds and has two 290 pound linemen in his fraternity. It’ a really funny vision – scrawny little dude with big uglies. Most athletes live amongst the muggles. Part of the ethos, I guess. BTW - The Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation is affectionately known as the muggles’ gym. Students don’t get in a twist about the muggles thing. At least my son and his crew think it’s funny.
- Um, Stanford has been pretty dang successful athletically, including in football, so “student-athlete” can be a thing in deed, not just in name. About 13% of all undergraduate students are athletes, so it’s really a jock school.
So I agree with Dr. Schlissel, as I see his vision of true student-athletes working at Stanford. We should strive for the same thing at Michigan because we have an outstanding academic foundation and a campus that is conducive to athletes being amongst the muggles. Why would we not want that to part of Michigan’s brand value presented to prospective student-athletes?
Go Blue!
Oh, and hire Harbaugh!