‘They have to balance practice, and keep
certain grades to keep their eligibility, and
perform well enough to keep their scholar
ship. ’
when they drop out.
“A student who has fulfilled Proposition 48 has a better
chance," Devaney said.
Despite the efforts of Proposition 48. there may still be the
potential for some athletes to receive special attention from
professors.
A recent Daily Nebraskan poll determined that most profes
sors have not felt pressure from the athletic department to
change grades. But of those professors polled, some refuse to
see the athletic department as beyond reproach.
Out of a total of 50 questionnaires sent randomly to UNL
professors, one out of 19 said they had been pressured, while
one out of 20 said they had felt the need to change a student
athlete's grade through their own discretion.
The survey also revealed that none of the respondents had
changed a student athlete's grade for any reason, nor had
ihey been more lenient toward a student athlete.
A professor who revealed he had been pressured by the
athletic department in 1970 or 1971, wrote that “some
athletes haven’t done well because they are so poorly
prepared — even some who have considerable trouble reading
and writing," and that “some athletes haven’t done well
because they don’t seem to care — this could be a defense for
not being able to read, etc."
However, he added that some athletes are as well-prepared
and motivated as any other students.
“'Hie one thing we have seen some indication of is very
poor advising, e.g. students who have taken far too many
electives and 200-level courses." the professor said. “It would
seem some advisors in the athletic department are interested
soieiy in Keeping athletes eligible and not in their appropriate
progress toward a degree."
Another professor expressed his concern about athletes
taking five-week courses during the summer.
I teach a five-week course and athletes who take it fre
quently miss a total of a week’s worth of classes." the profes
sor wrote. “This is very difficult for them. 1 often wonder
whether athletes should take five-week courses at all and I
know that there are many for them to take. Many are re
quired."
Another professor wrote that “two of my worst students
were athletes. One of my best students was an athlete."
He said he was once pressured by a student who
couldn’t go out for baseball until the professor
changed a grade of"F"to an incomplete.
He made his request (strongly) while retaking the course.”
he wrote. “If he hadn’t been in the process of retaking the
course I would have said no."
Another professor said a basketball player in one of his
classes a long time ago missed the final exam because of
sheer exhaustion." The player had an “A" average.
“To have given him an “I" would have made him ineligible
lor the Big 8 tournament, so I talked with the athletic director
about this," he wrote. “His recommendation was that I give
the student a stiff makeup exam as soon as possible but turn
>n a grade of “C" immediately.
“11 the student did poorly. I could lower the grade later, but
otherwise the “C" would stand. He was almost furious with the
student. I did as he suggested, but as I expected the student
did very well on the makeup exam. Therefore, I quickly raised
his grade — as I would have for any other student under
similar circumstances."
On the other hand, another professor said: “I have taught
a variety of athletes over the past 23 years and have never
once been pressured to give special treatment.”
While most professors said athletes in their classes at
tended regularly, one said “attendance may be less
than desirable, but no worse than from certain non
athletes."
There is a trend, though, for former players like Kelvin
Clark to return to college after initially dropping out to pur
sue their professional career after their eligibility is used.
Clark said he was contacted by Tom Osborne after he
retired from professional football in 1985. Osborne also got
Clark a job in the west stadium weight room.
Clark said he will probably finish his degree in physical
education next August. Although he only had two semesters
left when he dropped out. he must now complete four be
cause the curriculum changed in the time he was gone.
Being away from the books so long made it harder for Clark
to come back to school, he said.
“It really was tough," he said, “I had to study hard."
Many former athletes would probably find it hard to make
the transition back to academic life, Papik.
“It becomes difficult because when they are making money,
it is hard to discontinue that income." Papik said, especially
when they have played for a pro team.
Clark said he was able to put some money away, so “it
hasn’t been too hard since coming back."
What it comes down to is that it is up to the individual
athlete, Devaney said. Whether they graduate or not. or get a
decent education, Devaney said, is up to each and every
student.
“It depends on how badly they want to succeed, even if
they’re not a top student." Devaney said. “A lot of it is in the
person."
- by Kip Fry