'There's something that's not quite right' (OSU Football)

Associated Press / ESPN.com ^ | July 21, 2003 | Associated Press

[End Times Sentinel]

'There's something that's not quite right'

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Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The former teaching assistant who has made allegations of possible academic fraud among Ohio State football players says she did so in hopes the program would be investigated.

Norma McGill says that she, in her words, "just knew there's something that's not quite right" with the Ohio State program.

McGill told The Columbus Dispatch in a story the newspaper published today that she was an unnamed source referred to in a New York Times last Sunday.

The story reported that running back Maurice Clarett received assistance from a professor who allowed him to take two oral exams to pass a class.

In a phone interview from her hometown of Lexington, Ky., she said she regrets that Clarett has become the focus of controversy over the Times story.

She told The Dispatch, again in her words: "I didn't want this to be about him."

[End Times Sentinel]

The fact that Maurice Clarett needed help to pass African American and African Studies 101  is frightening.  Although if the assignment was "Write a rap that describes how you feel to be discriminated against here in this rashist country, America" he may have had some trouble spelling the beat box noises.

[WhiteGuy]

McGill, a TA, was not even a first hand source.

I expect this allegation to be investigated and found to be without merrit.

Many of the ballplayers DO get some consideration as it applies to scheduling classtime. There are often travel compromises which conflict with classes.

On the other hand, if Mr. Clarett intentionally violated team / NCAA rules, it would be best to solve the problem immediately.

GO BUCKS

[Bikers4Bush]

The girl is a liar and I doubt will be back at OSU.

You don't make broad accusations the way she did because you have a hunch something isn't right.

You should have proof.

[chadwimc]

If any of you people think college athletes don't get "special" treatment, you're at best, naive. At worst, you help perpetuate the exploitation of *VERY* marginal students. College sports is about money. Nothing else.

[BushCountry]

I think you guys are missing the point. Again the Gray Lady is misrepresenting the facts (or at blowing them completely out of proportion) and using a source that is unsure if anything untimely even happened.

[dfrussell]

Oh, come on. Pretty much anyone who's attended a university knows the jocks are not expected to do anything other than show up for practice.

I'd say she was, if anything, understating the problem.

I think it's long past time to eliminate "athletic" scholarships and start some minor leagues in basketball and football as is done with baseball.

It would pay the players (legally) and at the same time reduce the crime rate on universities.

[Bikers4Bush]

Bingo.

[ken5050]

FYI..in Sunday's NY Times Sports section..they printed a bunch of letters from readers on this topic..( I'm not sure if it's on the web site..) my favorite..an OSU professor who wrote, ( my paraphrasing) "it's frightening to ponder that as the Times attemptsd to REGASIN its credinility, it uses unnamed sources as the basis for a front page allegation of cheating.."

[chadwimc]

Uh... The Columbus Dispatch is "The Gray Lady"?

[BushCountry]

McGill told The Columbus Dispatch in a story the newspaper published today that she was an unnamed source referred to in a New York Times last Sunday.

:)

[moyden2000]

I had a roommate in college who tutored football players at Texas A&M. Some of them did not even know their multiplication tables.

[XJarhead]

I expect this allegation to be investigated and found to be without merrit,

I wouldn't be too sure. The professor has admitted giving him the oral exams as reported. The issue is whether or not this violates NCAA regs, and it apparently does not. Oral exams are given occasionally to students having trouble, but Clarett apparently was the only person in the class of 80 permitted to take an oral exam. So it may not be a violation, but it does smell.

[justshutupandtakeit]

The only pertinent question in this matter is "How many yards will he gain this season?"

[Grammy]

A very looooong time ago I had a blind date with an OSU football player. It was the only time in my life I had absolutely nothing to talk about with someone, and I am a great conversationalist. I'm not sure he knew how to put two sentences together.

It was the longest evening of my life.

[NittanyLion]

If any of you people think college athletes don't get "special" treatment, you're at best, naive. At worst, you help perpetuate the exploitation of *VERY* marginal students. College sports is about money. Nothing else.

You're painting with an overly broad brush. Your statement may be accurate at some universities - but certainly not all.

I might add, "special treatment" is a meaningless term unless properly defined. There's no moral dilemma regarding the provision of free tutors or priority scheduling; providing these services is equitable treatment considering athletes' schedules.

[NittanyLion]

Oral exams are given occasionally to students having trouble, but Clarett apparently was the only person in the class of 80 permitted to take an oral exam. So it may not be a violation, but it does smell.

If Clarett has a diagnosed learning disability an oral exam may be a proper alternative available to any student who requested it. I don't know whether this is actually the case, but it's a possibility...

[smith288]

We all know what this is REALLY about...

Tressel is a conservative Christian and the Times is a liberal sociaist rag.

So this is an effort to squash Tressel's influence on the young college students that the college professors have a monopoly on...

< /end tinfoil hat speculation>

Go Bucks!

[Hatteras]

My understanding of the situation was that he had actually sat down to take the written test, gave up on it and walked out. After meeting with the professor, he then took an "oral test" in the professor's office and the professor felt Maurice had gained a basic enough understanding of the subject matter to pass the course.

Apparently, in accordance with the rules at OSU (and quite a few other major universities for that matter) that is all that is required...

[NittanyLion]

My understanding of the situation was that he had actually sat down to take the written test, gave up on it and walked out. After meeting with the professor, he then took an "oral test" in the professor's office and the professor felt Maurice had gained a basic enough understanding of the subject matter to pass the course.

If true, that's unacceptable (or should be). I suspect OSU's policy isn't to allow students to walk out of exams and then retake it on their own terms...

[NittanyLion]

(continuing my thought) ...since this seems to be a special exception made due to Clarett's stature, I see this as a big problem...