1987_10 The Daily Collegian October 1987

              Sports
! Friday, October 2,1987;
-Page 17-
Scholarship program aids athletes
ByMiheWise
Sports Writer '
Remember Kevin Ross, the.
University basketball r*
pushed through four years of college but
never learned to read?
Ears were bent and eyebrows raised
in both academic and athletic circles.
More student-athlete horror stories sur¬
faced
Even today, the events surrounding
Ross1 story and others have clouded
what the public perceives as a stud?nt
athlete.
Are" universities using athletes as if
they bought them at an auction with
rings in their noses? Or do they feel
responsibility toward those individuals'
pursuit of education?
"Even if they make it, they're^
not going to be there very/
long. Athletes have^o-toe
keenly aware that the brain
lasts longer than the body."
Robert Knudsen,
Director of Academic Services
'Tor Student-Athletes
Whatever the case nationally, Fresno
State has taken a step in the right
direction.
The fifth-year scholarship program
— designed 16 financially assist those
student-athletes who are a year or less
away from earning their .bachelor's
degree but have used up their eligibility
— is now in its first year at FSU.
On the surface, the program will cost
the FSU athletic department $85,000,
give 46 student-athletes a hand in ear¬
ning their degrees, and provide FSU
athletics with another recruiting tool.
But to FSU Athletic Director Gary
Cunningham, the person responsible for
' riBtituting the program, it is more.
"We feel we are fulfilling our re¬
sponsibility to our student-athletes,"
Cunningham said "Getting a degree is
so important. It opens a lot of doors later
in life. Very few athletes graduate in
four years.  *	
,/ As long as the funds are available, it
4s our responsibility to increase the gra¬
duation rate of our student-athletes."
FafiLis, the average graduation rate
for a regular student has now reached
5.5 years. Robert Knudsen, Director of
Academic Services for Student-Athletes,
said much of the problem is attributed to
economjca.
"Kids are no longer all graduating ^n
four years like they used to," Knudsen
said, noting that for the seventh straight
.year educational expenses have in¬
creased compared to the cost of living.
"Economics plays a big part. We're
trying to show student athletes that the
best thing they can gain from their
experience is a degree."
Though the program actually started
four years ago on a small scale —
catering mainly to football and bas¬
ketball players — it now provides aid for
student-athletes in all 18 sports at FSU.
To qualify, an athlete must have not
received more than four years of athletic
aid, completed 24 "C" or better units
during their final year of eligibility, be
within 36 units of completing their de¬
gree.
The athlete, though, can't be compet¬
ing in a second intercollegiate sport, and
must have at least a 2.0 cumulative
grade-point average.'
For Paul Pflug, a former footbdll tight
end and now a student assistant coach
for FSU, the program means a chance to
graduate and learn a trade.       /
"I wouldn't have been able to coach,"
Pflug said. "When I was playing, you
dedicated so much time to football that
school really became tough.
"But this is great. I kno" a lot guys
who aw done playing and they feel like
they're on a scrap heap. Nobody cares
about them anymore. What (FSU)vis
saying to me is 'Hey, we care about your
future."*
Cunningham said: "We're gaining a
reputation of not just using student-
athletes. I have to believe it will help
recruiting. Education is primary. Per¬
centages of those who make the pro
ranks are so low that student-athletes
need the education."
Indeed, the average percentage of
athletes that receive a professional try-
out is around 2 percent. Of that figure,
the average National Football League
career lasts a little over three years while
the average career span for an NBA
player is 3.6 years.
"Even if they make it, they're not
going to be there very long," Knudsen
said. "Athletes have to be keenly aware
that the brain lasts longer than the
body."
"I know a lot of guys who played their
hearts out on the football field, but they
never graduated," said Pflug.
'DOGS
Continued from page 9
hitting Rich Bartlewski for 18 yards,
then two plays later drilled a pass to
Collins for -17 yards. FSU stuttered
momentarily, but then caught the 49ers
off guard with a reverse to Anthony
Williams, who bolted past a pair of
defenders feran^asy six. Skipper made
up for Belli's blockeu^extra point with a
two-point conversion ruq.
After the second-quarter letdown,
FSU took the opening drive of the
second half all the way to the Long
beach 25, but the drive skidded when
. Skipper fumbled on a brick-wall hit.
A quick three downs and the offense
again retained the ball and set prowl for
enemy grounds. Telford quickly went to
work hitting Griffinjbr four yards, then
coming back for a 19-yard gain to Ron
Jenkins. In all, Jenkins caught four pas¬
ses for 56 yards.
Telford kept in sync, completing a
pass for 21 yards to Brock Smith and
advancing the 'Dogs to the 49er 25.
Although Telford scrambled for 10
yards, moving FSU to the 15. The 49ers
defense, though, tightened up and the
'Dogs settled for three by way of a Barry
Belli    29-yard   field   goal    with   4:49
remaining in the third.
; v\ Frankin sack prevented yet another
49er drive and gave the ball back tt>
FSU. This time the offense glued to¬
gether a seven play, 59-yard drive "that
severely dampened any hopes Long
Beach had of a "W."
. The drive was a mixture of Collins'
and Griffin's footwork, but^alsq^hand-
work of Williams. On third-and-six from
the Long Beach 20-yard line and a
minute left in the third, Telford threw
what appeared to be a pass that would
sail over the head of Williams at the
three. Extending himself like a soccer
goalie, Williams secured the ball, and
evaded a would-be tackier before being
gai nere<-' at the 1-yard line.
One play into the final quarter
Skipper bounced into the end zone from
two yards out. This time, Belli banged in
the extra point to put FSU up 24-7.
FSU closed the evening's scoring
festivities when Griffin closed off a
seven-play, 48-yard drive by whirling in
from 10 yards out.
"They were quieJcer then I thought,"
said an impressed Larry Reisburg,
whose club was coming off a 49-0
drubbing at the hands of Michigan, "I
know their defense was great against
UCLA, but I didn't think there offense
would be as good as they were."
HELP WANTED
HIRING
Government jobs-your area
$15,000-$68,000
Call (602) 838-8885
Ext 4078
MODELS WANTED
FOR FASHION SHOWS.
Call Maison Capri
227-0460
LOTUS TUTOR WANTED
$5.00 Minimum 5 Hours
Mike 435-9222
Largest Supplier of
Agricultural Gypsum
has a part-time ooportuniy
for an agronomist to   ~
perform and evaluate'
research assignments and
do literature investigation
ot Gypsum use.
Send resume or writs to
H.M Holloway, Inc.,
714 Sbrth St
Wasco, CA 93280
PERSONAL
GOO AND MIKE EAGLES
President USA *88
Brilliant Republican Leader
AUTOMOBILES
'84 PLY COLT
Excellent Condition.
$4500 or Best Offer
431-7808
"84 DODGE DAYTONA
TURBO
Low Miles, Good Gas Milage.
Sell $5,500 w/stereo
$5,000 w/o
Trades Considered.
431-8204
APARTMENTS
CONTRACT FOR SALE
Bulldog Lane Village Apt
needs one female roommate
foMbdrm. Contract for
approx. $600 (incl dep) until
Nov. 1& 1/4 utilities.
Apt fully furnished. If
interested Contact
Michelle st 221-9488
ONE BLOCK TO CSUF
1 & 2 Bedroom
Furn. or Unf urn.
COLLEGE APTS.
4572 D E. Sierra Madre
227-0390
MISCELLANEOUS
STUDENT DENTAL/OPTICAL
.    PLAN
Enroll now! Save your teeth, eyes,
and money too. For information &
brochure see A.S>Office or
Call (408) 371-6811
mope£- TRAC
Like New, $350 or Best
224-5503/229-5822
QUEEN SIZE WATERBED
Bookcase and Heater
$175 0.B.O.
299-6867
Leave Message
'        Lr.
ATTENTION
WINDSURFERS
Complete Sailboard Set-up
$260   •
226-0409 after 4pm
"80 VEJJPA SPORT 100
$200   y~
264-2288 or 491-6204
COMPACT DISCS
Starting st $6.00 or
Trade'em in.
Clinton
MISCELLANEOUS
—WANTED***
CD's-Cassettes-A!bums
We'll Pay Cash Today!
Record Exchange
2426 N. Blackstone at Clinton
DISC JOCKEY AND BANDS
Parties, Weddings,
any Occassion.
RVP Talent
"•FREE"*
Album or Cassette with this
ad Buy One, Get One Free
Pay higher pricer-
One per customer.
, Buy-Sell-Trade
Record Exchange
1 .GOO'S Abums, Cassettes and
Compact Discs
2426 N. Blackstone at Clinton
Expires Nov. 1st
\
>    :