College Recruiting Reforms

Tyler Campbell
Research Paper
Dr. Miller Class 10:10 MWF

College Recruiting Reforms College recruiting over the past two decades has been getting more intent on finding the most athletic or talented player, but willing to give up good character, discipline, and well set academic standards. Just recently has the NCAA made milestone reforms to the recruiting process, scholarships, and academic standards not only for individuals but teams as a whole. The new reforms and stipulations for players and coaches are well thought out and though they are cracking down on academic standards and misconduct it is fair in the same sense. College athletes should be held to the same standards as non-athletic scholars, if not higher because they are
The main thing coaches today look for is who can perform the best and get that national championship for me. They do it because the risk of passing on a potentially elite player with character or academic issues is far greater than the risk of taking him. They do it because, despite whatever lip service their bosses give to indicate otherwise, their jobs depend almost entirely on wins and losses. They do it because they feel they have to. For example, Urban Meyer, who during his last several years as Florida coach had, to give just three examples, a player commit fraud by using the credit card of a deceased woman; a player send a threatening "time to die" text message to an ex-girlfriend; and a player get stopped for a DUI the week of the SEC Championship Game. But Meyer won two BCS championships, was treated like a king by his employer and left on his own accord after last season. These examples show how college recruiting has become more about talent than actual good character, academic standards, and values (Mandel,
The new reforms have allowed coaches and players to become more acquainted and has given players earlier opportunities to show their talents on the field in the recruiting process. Scholarships for recruits are now more secure and now have an option for schools to give an additional $2,000 for the total coast of college together. The security is greater with terminations, as players can't be terminated for athletic performance or injury and the add on will help for college expenses in general. The most important reform is the major emphasis on "making the grade". Academic standards have been set for incoming recruits higher, team APR has been increased, and more penalties for academic misconduct. This last reform along with the entire reform package will greater ensure fairer stipulations or coaches and players and keep the integrity and character in the game of college