The Review

Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Mike DeVoll Despite recent controversies, K.C. Keeler (left) and Monté Ross (right) stand by their academic standards.

The term "student-athlete" carries a wide range of opinions. Many think the term is an oxymoron, but they still show up in the front row for every big game. Some worship their favorite college athletes, but don't hesitate to disparage the academic standards that put them on the field.

At Delaware, a March 30 article in The New York Times alleged transfer forward Marc Egerson from Georgetown was given preferential academic treatment from an unaccredited NCAA prep school in Philadelphia. Coupled with incidents like the March 5, 2006 armed robbery by former football players Danny Jones, Demetrice Alexander and Jeff Robinson, the integrity of all Hens has been put in question.

While these incidents further cloud the distant look most fans have at the academic situation of Delaware's athletic program, coaches from some of the university's most high-profile sports said the efforts made to maintain Delaware's academics often goes overlooked.

Men's basketball coach Monté Ross has had to defend his program in light of the questions surrounding Egerson's recruitment. Egerson, who, according to The Times report, did not meet NCAA academic requirements in four years at Delaware public schools, transferred from Georgetown, where, according to Ross, he met all academic eligibility requirements.

Ross said when considering a transfer from another university, it is a nationwide practice not to consider high school transcripts. The fact that Egerson was able to handle the academic load at Georgetown, Ross said, shows he can compete in the classroom at Delaware.

"I think a lot of times kids make mistakes early on," Ross said. "Then the light hits them and they want to change, but people are reluctant to give them a chance."

Head football coach K.C. Keeler has used transfers from Division I arguably better than any coach in the country. Former stars of the 2003 National Championship team Andy Hall and Shawn Johnson were transfers, as are current quarterback Joe Flacco and 2006 standout and NFL draft hopeful Ben Patrick (see page 29).

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