Death threats and denial for woman who showed college athletes struggle to read

[MavsSuperFan]

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/09/us/ncaa-athletes-unc-response/


The death threats, Mary Willingham expected.
More shocking is that the University of North Carolina is now disavowing her research as a whistle-blower -- research that showed between 8% and 10% of the school's football and basketball players are reading below a third-grade level.
UNC issued a statement Wednesday night saying it did not believe Willingham's account of a basketball player who could not read or write.
Illiterates in big time college sports UNC reacts to illiteracy invesitgation
It went on: "University officials can't comment on the other statistical claims mentioned in the story because they have not seen that data. University officials have asked for that data, but those requests have not been met."
As well as questioning UNC many times about the story before publication, CNN has also detailed Willingham's research.
And purported e-mail exchanges obtained by CNN since August show that Willingham did share her findings at least twice -- once with Executive Vice Provost James W. Dean Jr., and once with a member of a university committee on academics and athletics.

Basically this woman found that between 8-10% of revenue (football and basketball) student athletes read at or below a 3rd grade level.
Her analysis was based on data provided by UNC.
Now people are pissed at her.

UNC also denies that their athletes have a low reading level.

CNNs study of literacy among revenue producing student athletes.
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/01/us/college-scores/index.html

[TexasBloodMoney]

We strong and you strong and we strong and we national champions and strong.

[ace23]

We strong and you strong and we strong and we national champions and strong.
Jameis's postgame interview was one of the most inspirational things I've ever seen and I am not joking.

[MadeFromDust]

If she was busy making sammiches this wouldn't have happened

[Scholar]

Doesn't surprise me. I'm sure plenty of colleges have athletes who can't read worth shit.
Hell, it's rumored Derrick Rose's level of retained education is elementary school-like.

[SuperPippen]

You don't have to be intelligent to be a pro athlete, and I don't see what there is to get upset over.

[miller-time]

You don't have to be intelligent to be a pro athlete, and I don't see what there is to get upset over.

College athletes are not pro athletes. And being in college means you should be able to have basic communication skills.

[dr.hee]

You don't have to be intelligent to be a pro athlete, and I don't see what there is to get upset over.

You don't have to be intelligent, that's true. But don't you think it's kind of nice to be able to solve something like this while in college? I mean it worked out for dimwits like J.R Smith...but for every basketball millionaire, there are apparently thousands of guys with not even the language skillls of a 3rd grader:lol

http://img.docstoccdn.com/thumb/orig/104747297.png

[ROCSteady]

Jameis's postgame interview was one of the most inspirational things I've ever seen and I am not joking.


How so? In the context of the sexual assault drama being false, I was glad he conquered that and got the ultimate W but he sounded like a dumb dumb.

I'm not even hatin becuz it was an emotional/responsive interview and he's super young but he didn't say anything especially inspirational. just a run of the mill National Champs moment from a phenom student-athlete. Nothing transcendent outside of having to be apart of some seemingly false accusations. Even then, his campus and community would have went to bat for him even if the evidence didn't paint him in a positive light.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Am I the only one that expected the numbers to be higher? I was pleasantly surprised.

[Real Men Wear Green]

How so? In the context of the sexual assault drama being false, I was glad he conquered that and got the ultimate W but he sounded like a dumb dumb.

I'm not even hatin becuz it was an emotional/responsive interview and he's super young but he didn't say anything especially inspirational. just a run of the mill National Champs moment from a phenom student-athlete. Nothing transcendent outside of having to be apart of some seemingly false accusations. Even then, his campus and community would have went to bat for him even if the evidence didn't paint him in a positive light.
What he said wasn't all that bad. And we've heard him speak before. He's not stupid, just unpolished. He's country, if he isn't taking speech classes already to clean that up he will be soon. If you listen to HS LeBron and many other athletes they don't sound the same as they do now.

[MavsSuperFan]

I dont see why the NCAA makes requirements for athletes to achieve minimum grades to maintain eligibility, when they just turn a blind eye to schools cheating for their stars. Eg. having tutors write their papers for them.

Honestly the NCAA should just drop the facade and start treating these guys as professionals (obviously they wont as its more profitable not to). I read somewhere that NCAA division 1 football is the second most profitable league in America. Second only to the NFL which is the most profitable league in the world.

Its a shame all the money and none of it goes to the guys who are at that school for the sole purpose of playing football.

[christian1923]

I dont see why the NCAA makes requirements for athletes to achieve minimum grades to maintain eligibility, when they just turn a blind eye to schools cheating for their stars. Eg. having tutors write their papers for them.

Honestly the NCAA should just drop the facade and start treating these guys as professionals (obviously they wont as its more profitable not to). I read somewhere that NCAA division 1 football is the second most profitable league in America. Second only to the NFL which is the most profitable league in the world.

Its a shame all the money and none of it goes to the guys who are at that school for the sole purpose of playing football.

I don't think college players should get paid but they should be able to go to the nfl after 1 year if they want too.

[MavsSuperFan]

I don't think college players should get paid but they should be able to go to the nfl after 1 year if they want too.
What's the real argument against paying them?
The NCAA's position that they are receiving a free education is a joke. They arent receiving an education.

[ROCSteady]

What he said wasn't all that bad. And we've heard him speak before. He's not stupid, just unpolished. He's country, if he isn't taking speech classes already to clean that up he will be soon. If you listen to HS LeBron and many other athletes they don't sound the same as they do now.

Yea true. He only sounded like a dummie cuz like you said, he sounds like a country gramma. I like Winston, like I said it just was a common Championship interview. Dude said it was one of the most inspirational things he ever heard :oldlol: I was just wondering why he thought that.

I remember how simple Lebron used to come off. One time, they were interviewing him after the Draft lottery and asked him if he was friends with Carmelo. His response...

"Ugh..I'd say.. that ..ugh... me and Camelo's relationship is mo betta." :lol

No lie, that's what he said verbatim. Dunno why that always amused me. These days, Lebron is a great interviewer and very media savvy. Just takes some experience and effort.

I just can't envision an NFL franchise drafting Jameis Winston top 1-3 overall and just being cool with him, as the face of a franchise, going out to media so often sounding like country Madea and shit.

[Swaggin916]

This is a big deal because if something happens and these athletes can no longer play, their chances of earning a living go down so significantly, and I am sure the chances of them abusing drugs or getting caught up in criminal activity goes up significantly.

If you are saying that they don't have to learn how to even read, then you are also saying that if something happens to them you will take care of them. If that is the case, then I don't see a problem. It's retarding a persons growth, but at least they have the opportunity to advance themselves if they want. The resources are there. You can't send a person through though without actually having to do the work though and not be responsible for them.

[Swaggin916]

This is a big deal because if something happens and these athletes can no longer play, their chances of earning a living go down so significantly, and I am sure the chances of them abusing drugs or getting caught up in criminal activity goes up significantly.

If you are saying that they don't have to learn how to even read, then you are also saying that if something happens to them you will take care of them. If that is the case, then I don't see a problem. It's retarding a persons growth, but at least they have the opportunity to advance themselves if they want. The resources are there. You can't send a person through though without actually having to do the work though and not be responsible for them.

They are more or less modern day gladiators... so physically intelligent but lacking intelligence in other areas that it eventually will bite them when the body deteriorates.

[longtime lurker]

What's the real argument against paying them?
The NCAA's position that they are receiving a free education is a joke. They arent receiving an education.

This 100%. I used to be against paying college athletes because I figured hey it's a free education, but there is no emphasis on learning. The only reason they don't get paid is so that NCAA can keep exploiting these kids. Its absolutely ridiculous that they can't even get sponsorships or endorsements.



This is a big deal because if something happens and these athletes can no longer play, their chances of earning a living go down so significantly, and I am sure the chances of them abusing drugs or getting caught up in criminal activity goes up significantly.

If you are saying that they don't have to learn how to even read, then you are also saying that if something happens to them you will take care of them. If that is the case, then I don't see a problem. It's retarding a persons growth, but at least they have the opportunity to advance themselves if they want. The resources are there. You can't send a person through though without actually having to do the work though and not be responsible for them.

They are more or less modern day gladiators... so physically intelligent but lacking intelligence in other areas that it eventually will bite them when the body deteriorates.

Very well put :applause: This issue is a systemic problem because how the hell are you graduating from high school if you don't even know how to read at beyond a 3rd grade level. The whole system is completely fvcked

[knickballer]

I'm not for paying college athletes nor against it but once you start paying them why don't they just turn pro instead?

I know the current college athletes for big time schools aren't an accurate portrayal of the university itself but I think it'd be even worst when the players don't have an affiliation to the school besides getting a paycheck and playing for them. At that point they are just professionals.

[christian1923]

What's the real argument against paying them?
The NCAA's position that they are receiving a free education is a joke. They arent receiving an education.
Try receive the opportunity to continue there football career and showcase their talents to the nfl cfl afl. They gain fame and are gods on campus. They get a free education if they choose too. They live more than comfortably. I know athletes driving nice cars with nice apartments and buying every new pair of Jordans that comes out. They arnt some slaves that people like to say they are.

I'm just against paying because there would be no could way to do this. A salary cap? No cap? How would player salaries work. How could a smaller program ever compete with a school like Ohio state. Then players from every sport would need to be paid, it would completely fuuuck up all college sports and it would turn into a mess. What would be the incentive to play if you get a million dollar signing bonus the day you sign your letter of intent? Lol are they gonna demand new contracts after a good season? A messss

[Sarcastic]

College athletes are not pro athletes. And being in college means you should be able to have basic communication skills.

Athletes shouldn't be forced to go to college in the first place. It's a corrupt system that we have which forces them to play for free for schools for up to 4 years. Athletes are nothing but entertainers, and we don't force singers, actors, models, or any other type of entertainers to perform for free and go to school.

[The Iron Fist]

Athletes shouldn't be forced to go to college in the first place. It's a corrupt system that we have which forces them to play for free for schools for up to 4 years. Athletes are nothing but entertainers, and we don't force singers, actors, models, or any other type of entertainers to perform for free and go to school.
Forced?:facepalm

[gts]

What's the real argument against paying them?
The NCAA's position that they are receiving a free education is a joke. They arent receiving an education.

If they are not receiving and education its by their choice, it's there for the taking

[gts]

Athletes shouldn't be forced to go to college in the first place. It's a corrupt system that we have which forces them to play for free for schools for up to 4 years. Athletes are nothing but entertainers, and we don't force singers, actors, models, or any other type of entertainers to perform for free and go to school.

They're not