Tennessee junior tackle Demonte Bolden and sophomore linebacker Rico McCoy will not be playing in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 because they did not meet academic requirements, ESPN.com reported, citing sources within the Tennessee athletic department.
UT would not confirm the report this morning, but said it will disclose academic casualties this afternoon. Indications were there could be several.
The Vols play Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 in Tampa, Fla.
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Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Phillip Fulmer through the years
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Comments » 63
ctownvol writes:
Why does this happen every year to soooooooo many teams? I am not naive but they are STUDENT-atheletes. It's just so frustrating!
CrankE writes:
So did ESPN scoop KNS, or do they have it wrong?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Oh well! Didn't know McCoy was in trouble, but we knew Bolden had academic issues. Guess the extra time he was given wasn't enough. He can go one of two ways from here, but I just hope Wisconsin doesn't trample us TOO deep into the ground.
BOASoldier writes:
I donet neade no Skoolin... Ise plaie Fooooseball
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
way to take care of business fellas.....
Probably Fulmer's fault for not dragging their butts to class...
navyvolinva writes:
This is bull!!! Probably our best DT and second best linebacker. We are thin as is with Defense. It could it be worst but this hurts.
martinvolfan writes:
A timely quote by Fred G. Sanford applies to this situation; "You big dummy." We've never been a school known for geniuses in our football program (a few exceptions every now and then). Go Vols anyway!
navyvolinva writes:
We can blame Fulmer on a lot of things but when It comes to school work its the player's job. Mayo, Ainge, Foster, etc...These guys will be playing. I guess I'll be looking for the other 23 guys in a cheating scandal.
newtonrail writes:
Chris Lowe, formerly of the Tennessean, and now ESPN.com wrote this story last night, and continues with Brent Hubbs to have better contacts at UT than anyone. They'll scoop KNS or current Tennessean writers.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Rico and Demonte, study up and we'll see you in the Fall.
The rest of the team: put your chinstrap on and play hard. We're gonna have to fight like heck to beat Wisconsin, all the moreso now that two key defensive players are gone.
We CAN win this game. How bad do you want it?
martinvolfan writes:
All the blame goes to the players. They should have took care of their business. As a UT grad I know that professors (in most cases) will go out of their way to help you succeed, but they will not do your work for you. If a student gives effort it will pay off.A 3.0 is not that much to ask for.
Volker writes:
Hey, only 12 hours after ESPN reported it...thanks guys.
Please give us some good news for Christmas!
GreerVol22 writes:
The "Weird Harrell's" should be introduced to Forrest Gump ...at least Gump graduated...
CJVolNMemphis writes:
Academic issues+coaching turmoil+poor history in bowls=this one might be over at halftime.
GreerVol22 writes:
That shoudl be "Harold's"....let me doyble chek my diploomus...
BOASoldier writes:
it's all about circumstances guys. these poor fellas are given scholarships to play football at a great University that's academic standards are just too high for student atheletes. I mean they actually have to pass their classes to play football ... is that not horrible (yeah this phooey is stupid... they are called Student-atheletes instead of Athletic-Students for a reason.)
UT_Tim writes:
OUCH....That’s going to leave a mark....Or a gaping hole for Wisconsin to run all over us...Take your pick
kaplan#211944 writes:
Chris (it's Low not Lowe) has solid contacts when it comes to policy in UT's athletic department. He was out front on Coker this year.
However, in just over a week KNS was first to report on Cutcliffe to Duke, Taylor looking to leave (with both Baylor and Oklahoma State offers), Kippy Brown contact and Spence to interview.
All the stories were source based (some multiple) and have to be approved before running. Other writers and Web sites have different standards.
Phil Kaplan
Deputy sports editor
VOLinDAWGland writes:
A 3.0, heck they probably only need a 2.0 and complete required course work/projects.
2.0 is basically showing up, completing at least some of the required course work and paying just enough attention to simply pass a test not ace it. These guys are not taking advanced placement courses. Much of the curriculum they're required to pass (2.0) is a joke.
Bolden's effort in the classroom mirrors his effort on the field...now he's in a bind. About to flunk out and probably did not progress enough to make it in the NFL.
Your move Demonte.
imw8n4u writes:
It's their counselors fault for not getting them registered in the walking class. Seriously though, I remember one fall I needed an arts class to fulfill a requirement, so I signed up for a history of music class. It was me and 50 football players in that class, and there was literally no work. I had always heard there were special classes for football players, and this was definitely one of them. If I hadn't been a senior and gotten to register so early, there is no way I get in that class, yet it was full of freshmen and sophomore FB players. There is absolutely no excuse for not being able to pass 6 hours.
Volker writes:
Thanks for the clarification Kap
BigVolinCarolina writes:
VOLinDAWGland, you're absolutely right. It's awfully hard to not earn a 2.0GPA.
No excuse for not getting that done. It's okay, though. It'll give us a chance to build a li'l depth and see if any other guys make the most of their opportunity to step up.
VolsorCat writes:
Year in and year out, Defensive Tackle does not get addressed. Last 4 years DT recruits
2004: Mahelona (JC) and Bolden (didn't qualify)
2005: Bolden and Dan Williams
2006: Garretson and Shaw
2007: Brimfield, Melancon(didn't qualify) and Langley
Mahelona: Short term fix JC
Bolden: Didn't qualify, came in 2005
Williams: Contributing
Garretson: Not sure, but not on roster
Shaw: Now an OT
Brimfield: Good potential; quality recruit
Melancon: Didn't qualify; isn't coming
Langley: Jury is out
UT must sign 3 to 4 every year for this position. When UT has stud tackles, they win. The game is controlled on the line of scrimmage and we are not addressing this need. When someone goes down, no one is there to fill in. 2008 class has NO, once again, NO DEFENSIVE TACKLES committed and only a couple top 50 guys even showing interest. How can this be? Immediate playing time at a quality program.
mtnvol writes:
Hey Kaplan, tell us your standards for Pennington's hatchet job earlier in the year?
Volker writes:
TDTN,
Don't get me wrong, I love GoVolsX. I am on here everyday. As a "VolinDawgland", I count on the KNS website for all of my updates and voledge (Vol knowledge). I certainly appreciate all that they do for true Vol fans. It just pains me to see ESPN beating our guys to the punch. I still, like many Vol fans, HATE ESPN.
kaplan#211944 writes:
Pennington told me the sources (former players) and he used the information to base his column. All the ex-players were in agreement on the subjects he spelled out.
Volker writes:
VolsorCat...right on see John Henderson, Darwin Walker and Albert Haynesworth for prime examples.
martinvolfan writes:
imw8n4u: Amen, I took one of those music classes at UT and there are several more in the general studies area that require very little if anything other than attendance to pass. I don't know if a 3.0 or 2.0 is required, but either way it's not too difficult to accomplish. "the problem with kids these days" is a lack of work ethic. (geez I sound like an old man).
kaplan#211944 writes:
Just an update for next week. We will partner with Wisconsin State Journal for stories on Wisconsin for coverage on the Outback Bowl starting Wednesday.
wyomingvol writes:
Suspend them for the first game next season also.
auttat writes:
Guess some of you guys struck a nerve. I wonder if its strikes a nerve when the KNS writers misspell words or use poor grammar and it still gets in the paper?
auttat writes:
Oh phooey, I'm going to get blasted!! Remove the s of it please!!!!!!
Volker writes:
Oh, the irony auttat! Hahaha
Colliervol writes:
They have academic monitors who are "on them like white on rice". And I'm sure they are lectured throughout the year about staying eligible. But what else is Fulmer supposed to do? Go take notes for them? Again, one can criticize any number of things in the program but not this.
For the final time. Please try to show some sense of objectivity and not the usual personal agenda. It's all about personal responsibility and it's the players' fault. If they can't pass six hours, they don't need to be wasting space up there anyway. End of discussion.
GoVol writes:
Hey, do they still get to keep the $1,200 each was allotted? If so, they need to spend it on a good tutor. I guess they wanted to be home for Christmas more than they wanted to represent TN in the bowl game. When these things happen, it typically isn't a surprise to the player himself...he knows whether he's done what he needs to do to meet the academic mins.
volntx writes:
Touchdown feeling sorry for CPF? Go to the doctor right now. Or we could get VolforJesus and have a group hug.
AlpharettaVol writes:
I know someone who is a graduate assistant at another SEC school (not UT). One of his jobs this fall was to go each morning and get one of their starters out of bed and take him to class, then wait until the class was over and escort him to the next class. That was apparently the only way they could make sure he stayed eligible. Maybe we need to institute the same rules.
If i'm not mistaken, I believe all it takes to stay eligible is to pass six hours -- that would be D's in two classes. Doesn't seem like too much to ask.
mtnvol writes:
TDTN, your definition of "great writer" is a little different than mine. JP is no Ben Byrd!
But be that as it may, many on this board questioned Pennington's sources and apparent use of rumor at the time he wrote it. There was a huge uproar (if you remember) and "hatchet job" was but one description of the article. I simply asked the question that many had here and Kaplan gave us an answer.
Always remember the KNS is in the sales business. Where we once could trust the likes of Walter Cronkite and Ben Byrd, that trust has been compromised by medias' need to produce profits. Therefore, many thinking people find it difficult to trust the media and often ask what is the underlying motive behind what we see, hear and read.
TommyJack writes:
I see a bad moon risen. KNS does a credible job, IMO. Seems to me that most of their criticism is from local blinder wearers. It's clear that anyone (KNS TOO) that even looks crossed-eyed at the UTAD is guilty of being a loser/hater. Wake up AMURCA...TN football is in a free-fall.
Stay the course.
DSaVol writes:
Gee aren't we all glad we spend millions on the Thornton Center, tutors, academic advisors, support football staff, and of course, our illustrious coaches just so guys that have been in school multiple years don't have to do what they're supposed to - YET CONTINUE TO PLAY THROUGHOUT THE SEASON! Great job Phil and company! Perhaps Bolden should have worried more about writing a paper than running his mouth about teammates!
thesavageorange writes:
AlpharettaVol:My grandfather worked in the press box for Vandy for a few years, and met John Ward a few Times.He said JW told him that's what they had to do to Travis Henry when he was there.
wyomingvol writes:
Ahh,
The upbeat Tennessee fans....
Funny stuff.
I am sure half of these folks wanted Cut gone after Cal/Florida/Bama...
New term:
UTFADD:
University of Tennessee Fan Attention Deficit Dissorder...
Unfortunately there is no cure,,,,, Taken' with Alkihol only worsens the condition...
utvolz#637682 writes:
Can't pass two classes? You've got to be kidding me! Way to let your team down guys. I hope your teammates can pull your slack. Why is this a problem each and every year?
Frank in Miami
Ralph_Crampton writes:
THIS IS KIND OF SCARY...SURELY POWERS TO BE WERE AWARE OF THE LACK OF PROPER GRADES WAY BEFORE THE BOWL GAME AND ARE JUST NOW COMING OUT WITH IT...JUST BEFORE THE BOWL...THIS MEANS THE VOLS ARE NOT TAKING THE GAME SERIOUSLY AGAINST THE BADGERS...DO YOU THINK? SEEMS SO. FOR INSTANCE FLA> STATE WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THER PLAYERS...BUT CHOSE TO COME OUT WITH IT JUST PRIOR TO THEIR MUSIC CITY BOWL AGAINST KENTUCKY. SEEMS JOEPA OF PENN STATE IS ONE OF FEW COACHES THAT REALLY PREPARE FOR A BOWL GAME. JOEPA IS OF THE OPINION THAT HIS TEAM GO TO BOWL SITE EARLY AND START CONDITIONING>>>HAVE CHRISTMAS TOGEATHER AS TEAM>>ONCE GAME TIME COMES THEY ARE MUCH BETTER PREPARED TO WEAR THEIR OPPONENT OUT IN THE SECOND HALF> THE VOLS CANNOT AFFORD AN UGLY LOSS IN THIS BOWL GAME.
madisonvillevol writes:
was it not bolden who wanted to run his mouth after the championship game? wonder what he has to say now?
FWBVol writes:
AlpharettaVol, I've heard of similar things as well. But even then if you have the babysitter making sure they attend class, you can't have someone take the tests and write the papers for them. Yes, there is only so much a coach can do.
If a kid is in study period and doesn't care to study the coach isn't to blame. You can lead the horse to water, but you can't make him drink.
inquiry writes:
At least it's a different type of "dope" than last year with 22, coker the toker..We're deep enough to win this game as is..
rbhobbs73#226545 writes:
I hope some of you know I was joking about it being Fulmer's fault...
If these guys can't pass 6 hours with all of the help they get...Good Lord Help them!
Their teammates should be all over them for letting THEM down. Football is like the military...when it gets right down to it, they play/fight for each other.
So, the rest of the team is who should be pissed and letting Rico and Demonte have it.
dfreeman writes:
I think it's comical to borderline lunacy that this seems to be getting more ink than the Florida State athletic program getting dq'd!! For the love of God they had practically a little over a quarter of the whole team ruled ineligible for the bowl game. We have two??
iowavol writes:
Ahh, the perfect scenario. Nobody giving UT a chance. I'm upping my wager on the Vols.
On the other hand, anybody know how the Vols stack up against the comp in regards to graduation rates? Tennessee is the 3rd highest SEC school at 58%, which is right at the national average. Wisconsin, one of the top programs in the country - period - is right above Tennessee at 62%. Of course Vandy is in the top 10 overall and, Georgia, Alabama and LSU are in the bottom 10 among D-1 schools.
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