Norwood Teague on Dan Barreiro

[GopherLady]

I only got to listen to the tail end, so missed everything about the excellence center. Dan asked him about the players having issues getting in and getting to play, and he had this to say:

• Teague - everybody we want is her on campus, and we're doing it all above board. Richard (Pitino) and I talked about a cultural change. When you want to change things, you can't do it real quick. He wants to change things as do I. We're going to do everything we can to make him know that we love him and want him here.
• On players not playing yet - I'm confident they will all stay.
• You never can judge these kids that come from foreign countries. They have a fire in the gut. They learn English really quickly, and it's tough to measure the guy. We had a lot of foreign kids at VCU and they came in with maturity and a burning desire to succeed.

 

[positively4thstreet]

He also mentioned that Bierman is apparently built on several houses that were buried underneath it in the 70s. The air pockets underneath occasionally disrupt the track, I guess.

 

[millions2spare]

I listened to the whole thing. Barriero actually asked some good questions for a change. Reading between the lines, I think Norwood had to talk Pitino off the ledge after the Kid was denied entry to the University. They talked a lot about culture change needed at this "Great" international and Multicultural institution and needed patience. Let's hope this is the last time something this blatant happens.

 

[Gold Vision]

I only got to listen to the tail end, so missed everything about the excellence center. Dan asked him about the players having issues getting in and getting to play, and he had this to say: • Teague - everybody we want is her on campus, and we're doing it all above board. Richard (Pitino) and I talked about a cultural change. When you want to change things, you can't do it real quick. He wants to change things as do I. We're going to do everything we can to make him know that we love him and want him here. • On players not playing yet - I'm confident they will all stay. • You never can judge these kids that come from foreign countries. They have a fire in the gut. They learn English really quickly, and it's tough to measure the guy. We had a lot of foreign kids at VCU and they came in with maturity and a burning desire to succeed.

I was so confused by his responses. Can you translate? He made it sound like both foreign players were having admission troubles.

 

[WanderingGopher]

Translation:

As many on this board surmised, Pitino is pissed that Admissions has made it unreasonably difficult in several cases to get players in who are NCAA qualified; Teague agrees with Pitino but has more experience with the "bigger picture" at a university and realizes he can't just declare war on the Admissions Dept and university administration ... realizes it's a longer, slower process of building trust between departments and building good will at the top. So he's preaching patience to Pitino and continually assuring him that they'll get this thing (a championship program and the right culture) done in the long haul.

For those who listened, does that sound about right?

 

[WanderingGopher]

I was so confused by his responses. Can you translate? He made it sound like both foreign players were having admission troubles.

Well yeah, we learned a week or two ago that Konate was only admitted shortly before school was scheduled to start, whereas Pitino had previously said both players would be here by July. So at that point I think it was reasonable to assume that he had difficulty getting admitted.

 

[station19]

Translation:

As many on this board surmised, Pitino is pissed that Admissions has made it unreasonably difficult in several cases to get players in who are NCAA qualified; Teague agrees with Pitino but has more experience with the "bigger picture" at a university and realizes he can't just declare war on the Admissions Dept and university administration ... realizes it's a longer, slower process of building trust between departments and building good will at the top. So he's preaching patience to Pitino and continually assuring him that they'll get this thing (a championship program and the right culture) done in the long haul.

For those who listened, does that sound about right?

It's been over 50 years so far.

 

[Maximus]

It's been over 50 years so far.

Well according to the Strib, Teague's raised around 40 million for facilities that 99.9 percent of us including the donors will never step foot in. But the 50 years are relevant.

 

[station19]

I have no problem with not stepping foot in it, but I wish we could get it done and enjoy some of the results. Some of us don't have that many years left.

I will say however, that I have memories of the Rose Bowl years. Most Gopher Fans don't have that.

Go Gophers.

 

[Dr.Don]

I have no problem with not stepping foot in it, but I wish we could get it done and enjoy some of the results. Some of us don't have that many years left.

I will say however, that I have memories of the Rose Bowl years. Most Gopher Fans don't have that.

Go Gophers.

Me too, 19. I remember Warmath being hung in effigy. I guess we had GH experts back then too.

 

[Bayfieldgopher]

Oh man, how I miss the Peach Section in the Sunday Strib. Those were the days when Gopher football was relevant.

 

[station19]

Oh man, how I miss the Peach Section in the Sunday Strib. Those were the days when Gopher football was relevant.

Yeah and I've looked for some photos on the internet but to no avail.

 

[bga1]

I was so confused by his responses. Can you translate? He made it sound like both foreign players were having admission troubles.

It was very poorly answered- I too am confused. After the interview, I began thinking that Gaston must still be on campus- otherwise what Norwood said is beyond rude. To say -"everyone we want is on campus" would be totally the wrong thing to say if Gaston is not here and working on his English. He did also make it sound confusing on Konate. I was happy to hear that he thought they would both stay.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I have no problem with not stepping foot in it, but I wish we could get it done and enjoy some of the results. Some of us don't have that many years left.

I will say however, that I have memories of the Rose Bowl years. Most Gopher Fans don't have that.

Go Gophers.

The what bowl?

 

[howeda7]

It was very poorly answered- I too am confused. After the interview, I began thinking that Gaston must still be on campus- otherwise what Norwood said is beyond rude. To say -"everyone we want is on campus" would be totally the wrong thing to say if Gaston is not here and working on his English. He did also make it sound confusing on Konate. I was happy to hear that he thought they would both stay.

I believe that was the plan. Honestly what major university risks alienating one of the major revenue coaches over something like this? It doesn't feel like it's ever going to change either.

 

[SelectionSunday]

Obviously Diedhiou is here (trying to improve his English skills) or Teague wouldn't have said that. Teague isn't that stupid.

 

[60's Guy]

Obviously Diedhiou is here (trying to improve his English skills) or Teague wouldn't have said that. Teague isn't that stupid.

Very debatable with the B level contributions comment.
The NBA, NFL comments. He's already had some doozies.
Basketball had their highest grade point average ever the last session. Football best ever and tops in the country. How good of a salesman, administrator do you have to be to get someone already approved by the NCCA into school with that track record of academics?? There are eligibility standards, if he can't do the work he'll eliminate himself or at the least be unable to play at that point. That's a pretty
basic. And obviously Pitino feels the same way based on his comments. Don't tell me what you are going to do Norwood, show me.

 

[watertown 1987 guy n]

Excellent points! was not aware of the GPA details. If that's the case then Admissions look like a bunch of yahoos.

 

[Bad Gopher]

Excellent points! was not aware of the GPA details. If that's the case then Admissions look like a bunch of yahoos.

...and it's not the first time.

 

[bga1]

Obviously Diedhiou is here (trying to improve his English skills) or Teague wouldn't have said that. Teague isn't that stupid.

Agreed- it just wasn't explained and the rumor had been that he went back home. So assuming he's here and working on things- that's a good thing. Meanwhile, it appears that Pitino thinks more of Gaston than many here do, per his quote.

 

[GopherOhana]

wouldn't admissions have success and failure rates for first semester for various english proficiency levels? if Gaston were admitted and had a high probability of failure at his current proficiency then wouldn't there possibly be an APR impact on the program?

without a bit more data, i wouldn't bury admissions just yet

 

[dpodoll68]

wouldn't admissions have success and failure rates for first semester for various english proficiency levels? if Gaston were admitted and had a high probability of failure at his current proficiency then wouldn't there possibly be an APR impact on the program?

without a bit more data, i wouldn't bury admissions just yet

No, they aren't professionals who have been doing this for years/decades and have through training and experience developed methodologies that bolster their decision-making processes. They hire total amateurs off the street to do this, and whether or not they hate sports is #1 on the required qualifications list. Whether or not they hate foreigners is #2.

 

[Ragnor]

Well according to the Strib, Teague's raised around 40 million for facilities that 99.9 percent of us including the donors will never step foot in. But the 50 years are relevant.

I believe that it was said when the facility plan was released that the dining facility would be open to the public one day a week because the B1G or NCAA has a goal of being more open. So at least that facility should be available to us on occasion.

 

[60's Guy]

Athletes versus general public students

No, they aren't professionals who have been doing this for years/decades and have through training and experience developed methodologies that bolster their decision-making processes. They hire total amateurs off the street to do this, and whether or not they hate sports is #1 on the required qualifications list. Whether or not they hate foreigners is #2.

I'm sure in many cases a student with English as their second language do not have a support system in place. If one is available to them it is voluntary. They are more likely not part of a group or joining a family, if you will. Basketball and football athletes have disciplined, structured routines to follow. They have tutors provided for help...appointments to keep, with consequences for not being on time or in attendance. These "incentives" are not part of a mainstream students activities. The athletes are building a family or team culture, with coaches and teammates encouraging, helping them, holding them accountable as part of the family/team. Again, the recent history of success academically with NCAA approval of core classes etc., Pitino's insight in assessing whether the prospective student can be successful in this environment seems a better predictor to me, than someone looking at test scores. Pitino is closer to the situation than someone obviously not factoring all these points that differ an athlete from
the majority of students they are evaluating. Kill and Pitino understand the impact of failing students...they made that assessment and by choosing to present this individual for acceptance to the U of M they are putting their careers on the line. Ultimately they are responsible whether this person fails or succeeds. They should have that discretion until they abuse it. That's how I see it dpo. Jmo in part based on Pitino's experience in this area, his reaction to the denial, his accountability to acceptance. etc. etc.

 

[dpodoll68]

What you are advocating is a rubber stamp from admissions for all U athletes. That's never going to happen. Sorry.

 

[SelectionSunday]

NM

 

[60's Guy]

Maybe...

What you are advocating is a rubber stamp from admissions for all U athletes. That's never going to happen. Sorry.

I agree a rubber stamp is not going to happen and shouldn't. But a better working relationship of advocacy prior to making a decision should.
If Pitino is confident Gaston can be academically successful, explains reasons, insights why...then yes, I think he should be given a rubber
stamp. With the understanding If Gaston fails, entrance requirements become more rigid. Put the responsibility on Pitino. All I'm saying.
Trust his judgement.

Norwood said he expects Gaston to enroll after Christmas. I understand improvement can occur in three months but I think the same
improvement would occur simultaneous to being a student.

I just don't think it should get to this point...we recruit the player, the player is cleared by the NCAA and THEN the U of M turns them down.
That doesn't make sense to me. We moved off the kid from Washington state or Oregon? Piper was it? because of academics...those were NCAA issues as I understand it. Okay, makes sense. This one doesn't to me. The departments need to work together...be on the same page.

 

[eker0016]

What you are advocating is a rubber stamp from admissions for all U athletes. That's never going to happen. Sorry.

Can't agree with you more, dpodoll. That is the kind of attitude and approach to academics that leads to tutors writing papers for kids that can't hack it.

 

[Gopherguy0723]

Admissions should always have final say. If they say a student isn't ready, then that's the end of it.

Some of you learned nothing from Clem. Many of you would be more than happy for the Gophers and their coaches to be like Saban, Roy Williams, and their ilk. That's ok, but then stop ripping them for treating athletes like commodities instead of students.

 

[60's Guy]

Yup It's ONLY One or the Other

Can't agree with you more, dpodoll. That is the kind of attitude and approach to academics that leads to tutors writing papers for kids that can't hack it.

Sure those GPA marks attained recently as best ever are by cheating. "No! Not saying that" ?? Oh, you are saying all of our present
athletes scored in the 30's on their college entrance tests. We have not accepted any border line students who have accomplished the work on their own to achieve those overall GPA's. "Not saying that either?" Oh, well then Jerry Kill and Pitino achieved these marks by cheating.
"Not saying that either?" Yup, NCAA says Gaston qualifies and Pitino feels he's capable but you guys think Pitino and Kill are on a path to cheating if we let Gaston into school...that summarizes you two guys right? That's what I read you are saying?