Michigan Athletics Facing Academic Scrutiny

The University of Michigan is one of the most respected academic institutions in the United States - and the world. For years, the university, its athletic department, its backers, have all claimed that its athletes face and overcome the same academic challenges of their fellow students. In other words: no shortcuts.

Many have not appreciated the holier-than-thou attitude over the years, but Michigan's seemingly been in the right. Until now.

The Ann Arbor News is in the middle of a four-part series documenting questionable academic stewardship within the athletic department. It's not pretty. The links to the series are below:

Part I - The Findings
Part II - The Psych Professor
Part III - Editorial

The genesis of this series appears to have been comments made by former Michigan quarterback and current Stanford football coach Jim Harbaugh, comments that the school was in effect, a football factory. Michigan recoiled at the criticism, and Harbaugh rapidly earned the enmity of fans and alums, becoming part turncoat and part pariah. The AAN took Harbaugh at his word and began a lengthy investigation, the fruits of which are now published this week.

Be sure to take some time and read them. As for my opinion on their findings, I'll be back later with some commentary.
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