Johnny Football's Classes

By 81Alum -19 February 2013
39 Comments
- Football

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/johnny-manziel-taking-on...

Manziel is on campus about once a month. He takes online courses.

Yahoo says that this isn't a NCAA violation. I'm no expert, but is this really OK?

cplunk on 19 Feb 2013 - 12:13pm #

If it would be okay for a regular student, theoretically it should be okay for a football player.

That being said though, sure seems like online classes would make some sort of academic chicanery a lot easier to pull off. Who would know who attended what online sessions or submitted what papers?

I can see both sides on that one.

Chief B1G Dump on 19 Feb 2013 - 1:38pm #

Good point...this feels like a can of worms for cheating in school just opened up. Sign up for online classes, have some booster pay a nerd to submit all my assignments, keeps me eligible while I play football and xbox with my friends until I bolt for NFL...nobody would ever know the difference. Johnny football and the wahoo SEC boosters are good at what they do.

Would work especially well for hoops 1 and done guys...

81Alum on 19 Feb 2013 - 2:01pm #

J.Mo on 19 Feb 2013 - 3:24pm #

Too bad Duron didn't come up with this...

Chief B1G Dump on 19 Feb 2013 - 4:10pm #

Too bad this wasnt in full effect when I was in college...I actually had a couple of classes where attendance factored into the grade.

popeurban on 19 Feb 2013 - 7:47pm #

Pay? I definitely never helped friends and my cousin with their online tests and assignments for free.

rdubs on 19 Feb 2013 - 12:14pm #

As long as those classes are helping him make adequate progress towards graduation, there really isn't anything "wrong" with it from the NCAA's point of view. I happen to think it is unfortunate, but this is where Higher Ed is heading. Grand Canyon University is about to join the WAC for instance.

Adam21 on 19 Feb 2013 - 12:15pm #

Online classes aren't necessarily easier. As long as he is g all the required work and not getting preferrential treatment, I dont see how its a problem. I wouldn't be surprised if other athletes did that.

cplunk on 19 Feb 2013 - 12:21pm #

I've got a degree from the usual attendance method and a degree from online work, and I can vouch for your statement. The biggest difference was the online work required far, far more writing and turned in assignments.

Squirrel Master on 19 Feb 2013 - 2:13pm #

not so much easier but easier to cheat on. Like say have a paid person to do the work for you. Although I don't know how many all online degrees there are at major Universities (something like Pheonix), but I would expect him to eventually have to take a class in class at some point.

Funny thing is that most athletes could take 4 classes a semester, at least 3 of them online and have a paid person do the online classes. Then the athlete only really has to worry about the 1 class they have to be present for. If that is really how easy it would be to skirt the need to take classes,

THEN WHY THE HELL ARE SOME ATHLETES NOT ABLE TO KEEP THEIR GRADES UP!

I'm referring to Duron Carter! With all the ways an athlete can get around academic requirements, how does he flunk out?

COME ON MAN!

popeurban on 19 Feb 2013 - 7:49pm #

Squirrel, I had similar experience (continuing ed.) except I would say the work was a hell of a lot easier, just so much more of it (tedious).

beserkr29 on 19 Feb 2013 - 12:20pm #

Online work is just as strenuous, if not moreso, than regular class. I am in grad school for an MPA and the program offers a purely online degree. Online classes require much more discipline and effort than regular classes simply because they ARE so hard to stay on top of. I had to take three onground courses this semester to finish my degree because it was just too hard for me to pay attention and really learn by coasting for 6 days, then working like crazy on the 7th. If he can do it, more power to Johnny F. I don't see anything wrong with doing an online course load as long as he maintains his grades and is working toward a degree.

AndyVance on 19 Feb 2013 - 12:26pm #

I agree with the previous posters - when I went back to finish my degree at Ohio State in 2010, I also took some online classes at CSCC and Edison State to wrap up some GECs. Those classes, both the "hybrid" versions that required some in-class participation and the strict online versions were every bit as challenging as their on-campus counterparts. Different, yes, but not easier.

One would presume that unscrupulous types out there will attempt to game the system, but in any course that requires work produced outside of class time - any composition/essay-based course, for example, the opportunity exists for fraud and malfeasance.

81Alum on 19 Feb 2013 - 12:53pm #

While all you guys are right about the courses you take, remember that this is the SEC. Also factor in the fake classes at UNC. What's to prevent athletes from taking online Phys Ed courses and the easy way out from attending classes or getting a real education?

mitchjacobsen01 on 19 Feb 2013 - 1:15pm #

I took an online stats class last summer...it was pretty miserable and required a lot of self-study on my part. However, I could see regular students volunteering to write papers and take online tests for an athlete to try to get into his social circle. It'd be hard to monitor whether the athlete is actually the one behind the computer screen.

81Alum on 19 Feb 2013 - 1:26pm #

That's the key - who's going to monitor the athlete?

We've just read stories about how Woody would personally make sure his athletes got an education. Urban's reaction to Cardale Jones' tweet last year, and his emphasis on making sure the kids get an education suggest that OSU takes this very seriously. Added to that, OSU just expanded the compliance office and its monitoring of student athletes.

However, in a situation where a school knowingly looks the other way, could OSU be at a recruiting disadvantage against that school for a stud athlete who only cares about getting ready for the NFL?

It's a slippery slope.

AndyVance on 19 Feb 2013 - 1:31pm #

This question actually applies to any class that is evaluated on work done outside the physical classroom, so online courses are in many ways no more of a challenge (well, let me rephrase that - no less of a challenge, perhaps) than traditional on-campus courses.

Consider any English, History or Literature course that requires a student to produce written work such as an essay or analysis paper... The unscrupulous student-athlete could very well hire a studious classmate to write his or her paper for him, yes? The online course is no different in that regard; for classes that require extensive quizzes or exams, on the other hand, yes, this is a new wrinkle, though still not that much different from a compliance standpoint.

The would-be cheaters out there have plenty of opportunities to cheat in a traditional classroom setting.

81Alum on 19 Feb 2013 - 2:12pm #

You're right about the cheating in the traditional classroom. Your response reminded me of my days at OSU. One my classes was with Marcus Marek, the famous LB. Many days, I would wonder who he was - the guy I saw in class appeared to be different than the guy I saw on the field. At the time, I just put it down to my being confused, guys looking different in uniform, TV angles etc... but now, who's to say?

AndyVance on 19 Feb 2013 - 4:05pm #

On the other hand, I had a class with David Lighty once, and he was in class every day. Sat in the back, kept to himself. Took Physics with Carlos Hyde before he was El Guapo, though we weren't in the same lab group (bummer). Was in a big Chemistry lecture with several players, and was impressed that an athletic monitor-type showed up unannounced several times during the week - always at different times during the class - to see who was there and who wasn't.

osu07asu10 on 19 Feb 2013 - 7:36pm #

I had class with Lighty and Cook too. Lightly was PURE class and an amazing example of a student athlete. Cook was asleep the entire time, classic example of 1 and done, guess it worked for him

Bottom line: Lighty is a classy buckeye

J.Mo on 19 Feb 2013 - 3:31pm #

However, in a situation where a school knowingly looks the other way, could OSU be at a recruiting disadvantage against that school for a stud athlete who only cares about getting ready for the NFL?

After seeing the fallout of Ray Small and Duron Carter - OSU should generally steer away from the athletes who don't take school as seriously as they should. Doesn't mean it will solve all of our problems - wasn't Pryor a decent student? He got the university in a boat load of trouble. I think watching the Kerry Coombs recruiting video posted by Elliot's father is a great example. Actually it's kind of inspiring for the athlete to conquer school and football.

chromedomebuck on 19 Feb 2013 - 1:24pm #

Does he take ballroom dancing taught by Matt Leinart (who has been kicked out of the NFL for being awful at quarterbacking)?

Champions Bleed Scarlet & Gray

81Alum on 19 Feb 2013 - 1:27pm #

haha +1

216dotcom on 19 Feb 2013 - 1:41pm #

I really don't see the big story behind this, reggie bush started doing the same during his tenure at USC. We now have complete online programs in all types of different fields. I took some online classes last semester in my graduate degree and they were ridiculously difficult, on the same level as on-campus classes--there's really no difference at all. Now in days, transcripts do not note whether the degree or class was online, so employers only seen the degree conferred.

Boxley on 19 Feb 2013 - 2:28pm #

The big story behind this is that you have no way to ensure that a student athlete receiving a free scholarship is doing their own work.

They could quite easily end up graduating, play a year in the NFL, and end up with no work and NO education. This is quite easily a way to keep a university making money of of their players while allowing for their players to be cheated from a real education they may have to make a living from for the rest of their life.

I think it would be a greater disservice to the student athlete than anyone.

Boxley

Buckeye Chuck on 19 Feb 2013 - 3:52pm #

There's a lot of potential for online education--for those who care about getting an education. The concern is that this is yet another way around the old-fashioned belief that college football players should be genuine college students. Maybe Manziel is on the up and up, and sincerely interested in getting an education. His busy schedule of "extracurricular activities" in recent weeks has me skeptical.

I'll be curious to see if going online-only becomes a trend for elite football players in the coming years, or if anyone who takes online-only courses ever becomes academically ineligible.

The most "loud mouth, disrespect" poster on 11W.

Chief B1G Dump on 19 Feb 2013 - 4:23pm #

Oh jeez, well if Reggie Bush did this during his tenure at USC then it must be 100% legit and on the up and up. No issues there.

Normal people online classes are great. For athletes like Reggie Bush, Johnny Manziel and any big timer with pro level talent it opens up a can of worms for cheating in school. I don't really care because they have always been able to skirt the system if so inclined (but that is a broader topic) but this is relatively new and surely being exploited. I'm sure this story will bring attention and some sore of compliance/monitoring regulations. I'm also guessing we'll find out some people have been doing this for a while.

It seems as though Johnny has been living in the gray area and operating on the fringe...but who knows, could be 100% legit...time will tell.

Nkohl13 on 19 Feb 2013 - 2:23pm #

Who really cares anymore. He won the Heisman. That doesn't make him a filthy cheater.

toad1204 on 19 Feb 2013 - 2:55pm #

I cant blame him at this point. He's in his second year of school going through a bunch of GECs with other kids his age who, I'm guessing, are half as mature and could care less about class. But I do share the same sentiments about the ability to skate around classes while allowing someone else do to your homework/ tests. Hopefully these are the classes where the mid-terms/ finals are done on campus.

Nothing like dancing on the field in 02...

BrooklynBuckeye on 19 Feb 2013 - 3:23pm #

Anyone know how university of Phoenix's recruiting class is coming along this year?

P.S. Johnny Mnemonic Football

81Alum on 19 Feb 2013 - 3:55pm #

Haha. They'll be top 5 before you know it!

Firedup on 19 Feb 2013 - 6:34pm #

I think online classes are great addition to college offerings. I'm taking my 3rd online class here at OSU with other classroom classes. I would say the online is more hours put in to the work. You have to go over the material yourself before you post or are quizzed on the material. Online classes allow you to fit in studying where you can. I think they are a big help to athletes who have early morning workouts or travailing in season. My current online class has several prominent athletes in it. Its easy to see when the quality of a poster fluxates dramatically and raises questions about them.

kareemabduljacobb on 19 Feb 2013 - 6:43pm #

I took my speech class online... best decision of my life. All I had to do was record it and upload it on youtube for my teacher to see haha. Easy A and I didn't have to worry about looking like an idiot infront of 50-100 other students.

Chief B1G Dump on 19 Feb 2013 - 7:42pm #

Seriously?

cplunk on 19 Feb 2013 - 7:52pm #

Oh man, I would have been so tempted to upload a video of a Hitler rant or Kruschev beating his shoe on the table.

Chief B1G Dump on 19 Feb 2013 - 9:35pm #

Haaaa that's great.
I like where your head is at.

osu07asu10 on 19 Feb 2013 - 7:32pm #

A really easy safeguard is to place a high percentage of points or total course work in midterms and finals and make students show up to physically take them. Academia isn't quite that naive guys.