Country Club Back In Session

Having been away from the inter-webs for the past couple of days, I haven't been able to comment on a specific idea brought forward by SEC Commish Mike Silve at the recent SEC Media Day festivities. In the midst of one of the most damaging off-seasons in college football history, Silve wants to change course. One of the specifics in which he feels the necessity to bring about change is the avenue of college qualifiers. Silve wants to increase the standard for academics in regards to new recruits. 

An excerpt:

Slive also wants an increase of the requirements for initial eligibility from a 2.0 grade-point average to 2.5 in 16 core classes and the restoration of partial qualifiers. Athletes who meet the old criteria but fall short of the new standards would be able to enroll on scholarship and practice but not compete during their first year.

I find this idea, while well intentioned, to be completely misguided. It is an affront to inner-city kids who, with the new stipulations, would have yet another barrier to cross in an attempt to attend University. Athletes are held to a tremendously high standard to begin with, an additional requirement is simply piling on. Is a 2.5 student really that much more qualified for college than a 2.0 student?

You wanna watch some smart dudes play pigskin? I hear the Harvard v. Yale matchup is a fantastic outing. Bring your polo.

Some of Silve's other ideas, the six-year scholarship window for example, are far better proposals. Let's table this one for now. Or better yet, send it to Washington and it will surely die in committee.