OU Venue Upgrades In Store, State Schools Lowering the Bar?
Oklahoma Memorial Stadium to receive new Video Board/Scoreboard: The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents are expected to approve plan this week that will allocate $10.1 million for new video boards and a new sound system at the school's football and basketball facilities. According to the regents' agenda, OU president David Boren will recommend the board award a contract not to exceed $10.3 million to Daktronics, Inc. Athletic director Joe Castiglione could not be immediately reached for comment. Approximately $2.16 million is earmarked for upgrades in the north end zone of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium before the start of the 2007 season. A new LED video board and scoreboard ribbons will be installed. (Dallas Morning News) Phase 3 will be complete by 2008 football season.
Note of Interest: From Wizard of Odds, is Oklahoma State lowering the bar? A dramatic increase in the number of alternative admissions given to student-athletics at the university has caught the attention of officials. Oklahoma State's alternative admissions program "allows a certain percentage (currently 8%) of each new freshman class to attend OSU without meeting all the regular admissions requirements, but who meet minimum criteria and show potential for success," according to the university's website. In 2001-02, athletics accounted for 6.7% of all students enrolled through alternative means. This year, 11.2% of Oklahoma State's alternative admissions were student-athletes. (More about OSU lowering the bar)
University of Oklahoma stance: Alternative admissions standards were a key topic at the Knight Commission's meeting Jan. 22 in Washington D.C. There, Joe Castiglione, athletic director at the University of Oklahoma, told the commission that alternative admissions are a simple reality in college athletics."You cannot compete if you are the only ones not to have special admits," Castiglione said. "It's nothing to run from or make fun of. It's just true. "Transcripts of his presentation show Castiglione told the commission that 25 percent of OU's student-athletes struggle with their classes -- particularly members of the Sooners' football and men's basketball teams. (Daily O'Collegian)
Sooners seek upgrades for sports venues: Tulsa World
Labels: Keeping them Honest, Oklahoma Sooners, Stadium




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