Five years ago VU's Chancellor Gee (now at Ohio State) decided it was time to do away with the athletic department and replace it what the University was about-academics and true academic scholars. Everyone (at least most) thought it was a stupid idea and the end of Vanderbilt's athletic program-especially in the SEC.
All athletes were simply integrated into the general campus life, stayed in dorms with everyone else, ate with other students, took the same courses. Since then almost all of the athletic teams have improved, some to the point of excelling (the baseball team was ranked No. 1 nationally for most of 2007).
The athletes are majoring in challenging fields, are into civic projects, are now part of the fraternity, sorority system, study abroad, and are some of the best student athletes in the country. Most of the teams have GPAs of 3.0 or higher. All are better than 2.5 The football program graduates 90% of its players. The athletes are trying to be the best in class and on the field as well.
It is likely few schools in the country with seriously contending teams can beat this record. So much for thinking the idea was crazy. I was able to personally congratulate Chancellor Gee for his courage in taking this action, but I'm sure few others did at the time. It sets an example for every university in the country that really believes in the student athlete to seriously consider.
Bad Bob
