Tuesday Tip: Which Would you Choose?

Today's Question:"Which would you rather have– a 44.97 100 free with a 2.0 GPA or a 47.97 100 free with a 3.5 GPA? Why?"

It depends on the situation. I would take both. I've had faster swimmers with lower GPA?s make the honors list. We have also taken the slower swimmer and made them faster. So I pretty much go with what our needs are. I do admit that the 2.0 swimmer makes me nervous and I do hesitate before going that direction. (Rick Walker, Southern Illinois)

Each athlete is different. We use a much wider variety of criteria and don?t limit our recruiting to just grades or to just times. We would meet with both, and see who would fit best with our program and with our philosophy. (Chuck Knoles University of Pittsburgh)

It depends if either has potential to improve in their 'lesser' area. If the 47 freestyler can improve athletically, that's a good recruit. If the faster male can improve in the classroom, that's a good recruit. (Clark Campbell, Kansas)

We would prefer the good student and the idea that he may have the potential to improve to a greater level. Good students and improving are much better influence on a team environment in my perspective. (Brian Schrader, Denver University)

It depends. I want the person who is ready to be successful in life and is willing to do everything within the guidelines of the program. (Vic Wales, University of Hawaii)

For the Ivy league that?s a no brainer- we need someone with grades who can handle the work when they get here. (Susan Teeter, Princeton)

The 44.9. I would like to help him try to do better in school. But it is risky now-a-days, because of the new NCAA rules that penalize programs for kids that leave or flunk out. (Stan Crump, Brigham Young)

We want the fastest guys who want the challenge of a private, liberal arts college education and we expect them to do the best they can in both areas. (Eddie Sinnott, Southern Methodist)

At Pacific, we couldn't get the 2.0 kid admitted. In a general sense, it depends on if the 2.0 has been coming up or going down. How were the test scores? What is his attitude like? Personality? In order to have a great program you need not only great swimmers but people who mesh well together so your team atmosphere reflects what the coach envisions. (Joe Plane, Pacific)

Honestly, I don't think any program should allow a 2.0 on the team. (Ted Knapp, Stanford University)

They would both be welcome to walk-on

I?ll take (C) the 44.97 boy with a 3.5! They are out there and the guys need to know that a 2.0 isn?t going to be welcome many places anymore with the implications of the APR cut score. I would tell all high school students that a swimmer with a 2.0 is too big a risk. We have probably had more success with the kid who went 47.9 as a junior in high school and is a high achiever in the classroom. We had a 400 free relay at NCAA?s this year with 2 junior national qualifiers on it. (Bill Dorrenkott, Ohio State)

A school with an outstanding academic support program for athletes should be able to provide all of the necessary academic tools to help a 2.0 gpa student be successful academically, making the 44.97 freestyler a higher priority. However, a student-athlete with an excellent academic record and character and the potential to improve should also be considered. (Brooks Teal, NC State)

Not an option - need to make the 47+ guy faster. (Bob Groseth, Northwestern)

You can say all you want but if the 44.9 is a good person, has good coaches and teachers recommendations then the academic help at college can help make them successful. The 47.9 and great grades better be on an academic scholarship or bring the qualities from question #11 to practice or they are not going to help unless they are untapped potential. You would prefer 45 low with great grades and no baggage. (Gregg Troy, Florida)

Neither. The 2.0 GPA cannot be admitted and the 47.97 cannot make the team. (John Trembley, Tennessee)

If I had my choice, the 47.97 with a 3.5 because you KNOW they will be eligible for the 4 years and you can potentially get them faster. The 44.97 with a 2.0 – you just never know, that person may not catch on with the academics and not be eligible for the 4 years. (Gary Kinkead, Indianapolis)