[terry]

Ca.l needs to have a football team that excites fans to pay for and support it and all its intendant costs.  Absent great athletes like McKinley, Ca.l won't be able to generate the revenue it needs, and California tax payers will pay the price.  So he takes the place of a "more deserving" kid (who was likely given more opportunities to succeed).

You're saying that Ca.l admits academically marginal football players because it wants to have a good football team so it can make money. In other words, Ca.l admits academically marginal players so they can be entertainers. At the same time, the university says it is committed to graduating its players. I guess I question whether Ca.l really can have it both ways. If Ca.l really wants to improve its graduation rates, it may need to adjust its admissions standards.

[terry]

Ca.l needs to have a football team that excites fans to pay for and support it and all its intendant costs.  Absent great athletes like McKinley, Ca.l won't be able to generate the revenue it needs, and California tax payers will pay the price.  So he takes the place of a "more deserving" kid (who was likely given more opportunities to succeed).

You're saying that Ca.l admits academically marginal football players because it wants to have a good football team so it can make money. In other words, Ca.l admits academically marginal players so they can be entertainers. At the same time, the university says it is committed to graduating its players. I guess I question whether Ca.l really can have it both ways. If Ca.l really wants to improve its graduation rates, it may need to adjust its admissions standards.