National Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA News Archive - 2008
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The NCAA News
- Most Internet users are aware of the Web 2.0 phenomenon that has occurred over the last several years with the rise of new communication platforms, such as with blogs, social networking, and microjournalism applications. Blogs have created a blurred and sometimes confusing line with what is really "mainstream" media in today's society. How have blogs and other new media technologies changed the way you follow your favorite college sports team? Do you feel more connected with your team today than you did 10 years ago?
- Perhaps you feel more informed about the future of Division III after reading a series of “white papers” that address the most important matters facing the division. Helping institutions make proper classification decisions is among the Association's most important functions. Hats off to Division III for its thoughtful, comprehensive study.
- It is normal to see coaches get fired when their teams struggle on the playing field. But have you ever heard of a coach getting terminated because of student-athletes not performing well in the classroom? Well, Mississippi State might be starting a new trend. The school has revised the contracts of its football, men's basketball and baseball coaches to allow for termination if their team's Academic Progress Rate (APR) is too low. Should coaches be held responsible for the academic success or failures of their student-athletes?
- Our most recent Double-A Zone poll asked which top four Division I FBS football team would lose first this season - USC, Oklahoma, Georgia or Florida? We quickly found out the correct answer with Oregon State’s upset win over USC last night. Only 18.5 percent of our respondents had it right, although the other three teams didn't even have the opportunity to play since we posted the question.
- Losing is tough, even for fans. We complain a lot about sportsmanship in college sports, but let me tell you, if fans played the games there might not be any sportsmanship at all. Hats off to all the student-athletes out there who know how to lose. Sounds odd to say, but I'm as impressed by "losers" as with winners. Ironically, you're the people who make our world better.