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Darn if you do, darn if you don't.
If Flood refused to talk, he'd been raked over the coals.
As it is, he supplied the coal to turn up the heat by talking.
Nope. Wrong. Who is you? Coaching staff and coaches cannot INITIATE discussions of grades about student athletes. If the professor or instructor initiates such contact about student athletes, it must be referred to the academic advisor. Pretty clear.
Unless you know what "this happens all the time" really means, you might wind up looking like a moron for making that statement.
It could be professors contact him directly after the academic support staff sends questions on Flood's behalf.
Agree. Particularly in this case where there is only one projected starter on the brink of academic ineligibility. I mean it's the ONE major issue at hand. Have a plan for that one at least.
Here is what Flood said pre-practice:
"Our faculty are part of our program," Flood said. "Just as recently as the other day, we had two faculty members at our practice. Now, any correspondence that I had with a professor in regard to a student-athlete would really be of this nature: One, to be in support of whatever decision that faculty member made, and two, to inquire as to whether or not there would be an opportunity to earn a better grade. Now, this practice is not unusual at Rutgers. Many students all over campus receive what are called 'T grades' (temporary grades) doing work outside of when the class ends that semester to earn a better grade."
Again, if Flood did not initiate the contact, he did not violate the policy.
"Our faculty are part of our program," Flood said. "Just as recently as the other day, we had two faculty members at our practice. Now, any correspondence that I had with a professor in regard to a student-athlete would really be of this nature: One, to be in support of whatever decision that faculty member made, and two, to inquire as to whether or not there would be an opportunity to earn a better grade. Now, this practice is not unusual at Rutgers. Many students all over campus receive what are called 'T grades' (temporary grades) doing work outside of when the class ends that semester to earn a better grade."
Again, if Flood did not initiate the contact, he did not violate the policy.
Here's what Flood stated the other day in regards to contacting player's profs:
Now, any correspondence that I had with a professor in regard to a student-athlete would really be of this nature: One, to be in support of whatever decision that faculty member made, and two, to inquire as to whether or not there would be an opportunity to earn a better grade. Now, this practice is not unusual at Rutgers. Many students all over campus receive what are called 'T grades' (temporary grades) doing work outside of when the class ends that semester to earn a better grade."
Now, any correspondence that I had with a professor in regard to a student-athlete would really be of this nature: One, to be in support of whatever decision that faculty member made, and two, to inquire as to whether or not there would be an opportunity to earn a better grade. Now, this practice is not unusual at Rutgers. Many students all over campus receive what are called 'T grades' (temporary grades) doing work outside of when the class ends that semester to earn a better grade."
The fact is if he didn't mention he had contact with professors, we wouldn't be worried about this. You're implying Flood followed the rules and the grades discussion was initiated by the professors. I think it sounded like he was saying he would inquire to them about grades. I guess that is part of RU's investigation.
Again, if Flood didn't say anything yesterday, I think he'd be better off.
I'm pretty sure I don't have reporters hanging on my every word and waiting for me to screw up. So, me a moron? I don't think so.
Flood...yup.
ok, looks like Flood was wrong . SO instead of a "he did nothing wrong", he deserves a warning and probation not to do it again. Unless there is proof he was requesting something more inappropriate, can we freakin move on already...
what a big ass deal over a relatively minor mistake...name a building after the prof and smack Flood upside the head..next.
what a big ass deal over a relatively minor mistake...name a building after the prof and smack Flood upside the head..next.
What makes that statement so moronic is that he is being investigated and he maybe just gave them something more to look at than just one email. Like I said, 'no comment' should've been the answer of the day.
Exactly. Worst case...he should have used some common sense. Best case...he should have reviewed his statement with an attorney first.
Let me throw a hypothetical out there.
What if a coach became aware of a situation where no show classes or bogus paper classes were being conducted to allow athletes to stay eligible for competition. What if they were to find out that this practice was widespread and it had been going on over a long period of time to assist the athletic dept in getting kids through school. Would those coaches have an obligation to speak to professors and a dept chair regarding this situation. I'm thinking that if a program like that existed, coaches at that school wouldn't have to ask professors if there was a way that a student athlete could earn extra credit. I'm also wondering if any coaches at this hypothetical university were fired for looking the other way when their athletes enrolled in these classes and stayed eligible.
What if a coach became aware of a situation where no show classes or bogus paper classes were being conducted to allow athletes to stay eligible for competition. What if they were to find out that this practice was widespread and it had been going on over a long period of time to assist the athletic dept in getting kids through school. Would those coaches have an obligation to speak to professors and a dept chair regarding this situation. I'm thinking that if a program like that existed, coaches at that school wouldn't have to ask professors if there was a way that a student athlete could earn extra credit. I'm also wondering if any coaches at this hypothetical university were fired for looking the other way when their athletes enrolled in these classes and stayed eligible.
Again, please show us where he said "happens all the time." I quoted his pre-practice statement yesterday, and he did not say "happens all the time." Also listed to post practice presser, and did not hear that either, unless I missed it.
The fact is, a lot of the issues that Rutgers athletics has with the media are homegrown.
I've been saying, basically from Day 1, that RU Athletics positively SUCKS at managing communications. Top to bottom.
When I was with the NFL, we had a rule that if you were in senior management, regardless of your specific discipline, you spent time with Greg Aiello learning media relations. The presumption that anyone in a suit could get jumped at any time on any issue was very real and we were given very specific lessons on what to say, what not to say, when to say it, who to say it to, when to defer, etc.
The people who have said that Flood should have never commented on this issue yesterday are 100% correct. Taken a step further, the Athletics Department should have a person whose job it is to talk to the media about absolutely everything not specifically related to the game of football. That person should be leading a comprehensive effort with regard to media relations and maintaining the news cycle.
I've been saying, basically from Day 1, that RU Athletics positively SUCKS at managing communications. Top to bottom.
When I was with the NFL, we had a rule that if you were in senior management, regardless of your specific discipline, you spent time with Greg Aiello learning media relations. The presumption that anyone in a suit could get jumped at any time on any issue was very real and we were given very specific lessons on what to say, what not to say, when to say it, who to say it to, when to defer, etc.
The people who have said that Flood should have never commented on this issue yesterday are 100% correct. Taken a step further, the Athletics Department should have a person whose job it is to talk to the media about absolutely everything not specifically related to the game of football. That person should be leading a comprehensive effort with regard to media relations and maintaining the news cycle.
I think the point that both you and Flood are missing about what you have highlighted is that students get T grades and they can inquire if they can earn a better grade, but that's the job of the student or the academic advisor to inquire about, not the HEAD FOOTBALL COACH especially as it pertains to one of his players. Like I keep saying, Flood should be the one person that understands that but his statements yesterday seemed as if he had no clue.
The coach cannot initiate the communication, it is unclear what was the situation in this case.
Not sure a "guideline" is the same as a "rule". Rules almost always use words like "will" or "shall" and clearly state a non-ambiguous requirement. At least those I've worked with in the regulatory field are so. Guidelines, generally, do not require strict adherence, but rather simply exist to provide guidance.
Yeah, I remember some of the premium folks crowing about what was going to happen to Flood after the USF game in 2013. That turned out to be correct. :cry:
Very true. Ha. No clue how accurate the information is, but a respected poster says there's nothing to worry about. made me feel a bit better.
It certainly wouldn't be the AD. And the job description for any media relations person doesn't seem to include those responsibilities.
I don't care what Flood said so long as its the truth. I am sick and tired of politicians business people and public figures who don't have the balls to tell the truth. Regardless of the perceived consequences. I celebrate this guy. If rutgers had leaders like this we'd be a top 5 state school. No joke. RU is run by spineless politicians that sway in the wind of public opinion. If it's found out that Flood screwed up let him own up to it. And I'm confident he will. Unlike any rutgers leader would have the guts to........
Know you can't share what was posted on premium here, but thanks for sharing what you can.[cheers]
Yes. Which is not hard to believe.
This simple request
Is there anything student X could do to receive a better grade" could easily be read as "There IS something you can do to let student X receive a better grade." if you dont know the coach and of course trying to help the kid usually helps the coach (i.e. if Barnwell receives a better grade and qualifies thats arguably a bigger help for Flood- who needs CBs, than Barnwell, for whom a D vs an F is unlikely to really matter.)
I mean, thats almost surely not usually the case here, but to me the rule makes some sense. Coaches often wield influence even over academics - they are among the more powerful people at many universities.
So simply have the academic support staff handle these requests. Thats what they are there for.
Now thats not to say I thik its that big of a deal. Give the guy a warning to let the staff handle it and move on. But the rule makes a good deal of sense (also of course allowing for various incidental contact."
Stupid damn rule.
Oh.. we have to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
Oh.. the poor professors who might think they are being pressured to change a grade.. oh the horror!
How about just instructing the professors to do their jobs, report contact.. like this one did.. and handle each situation APPROPRIATELY. How about that? Let these highly educated and well paid people on all sides use their best professional judgment and do their damn job.. why do we need to write rules OVER AND ABOVE those of the NCAA rules just to avoid having to use common sense?
Here's the worst part of this....
Don't you think the football factory professors know when they are being pressured to change a grade? Don't you think they know when an "academic adviser" makes an inquiry like those mentioned above that it really comes from powerful people who might make their lives miserable.. or more likely, make their lives better?
This does not happen here at Rutgers. Flood has no power over professors.. he cannot make their lives better or worse. Nor do any academic advisers. Don't you think every professor here knows that? This whole thing is crazy.
Oh.. we have to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
Oh.. the poor professors who might think they are being pressured to change a grade.. oh the horror!
How about just instructing the professors to do their jobs, report contact.. like this one did.. and handle each situation APPROPRIATELY. How about that? Let these highly educated and well paid people on all sides use their best professional judgment and do their damn job.. why do we need to write rules OVER AND ABOVE those of the NCAA rules just to avoid having to use common sense?
Here's the worst part of this....
Don't you think the football factory professors know when they are being pressured to change a grade? Don't you think they know when an "academic adviser" makes an inquiry like those mentioned above that it really comes from powerful people who might make their lives miserable.. or more likely, make their lives better?
This does not happen here at Rutgers. Flood has no power over professors.. he cannot make their lives better or worse. Nor do any academic advisers. Don't you think every professor here knows that? This whole thing is crazy.
What's crazy to me is that so many people think that we should be held to a different standard than other universities simply because Flood has integrity and Rutgers somehow isn't like other universities. To be honest, this is a very low bar that Flood tripped over. Folks can be mad at as many people as they want but it should start with Flood. He either didn't know the rule, which is inexplicable or he ignored it which is inexcusable.
What is difficult to comprehend is why he would make such a comment that only portrays him as clueless regarding the university policy. He is making his own situation worse.
You can argue that it's stupid, but it is hardly unclear.
T grades are extremely UNUSUAL at Rutgers so Flood is completely incorrect. Furthermore, once a grade at Rutgers has been submitted, it can NOT be changed unless the professor says an honest mistake was made (unless it is a T grade, which are very unusual). There are NOT opportunities to improve grade with extra work or paper or project once the semester has ended.
