Based on recent success, post-season incentives in the new contracts for LSU coaches may be easy to come by, but academic incentives may not. John Brady’s new contract stated that in the event the Academic Progress Rate for his team is 925 or higher (out of a possible 1000) in 2006-2007, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009, Brady will receive supplemental compensation of $25,000. The contract also states if the APR is 935 or higher in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, Brady will receive a one-time supplemental payment of $25,000 The men’s basketball team multi-year APR for 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 was 860, ranking the team in the lowest 10 percent within their sport. The Academic Performance Rate has been computed by the NCAA to measure the academic success of student athletes. Each scholarship athlete on a team has the chance of earning two points – one point for keeping a GPA that continues their progress toward graduation and one point for returning to school the following semester. The total points acquired is divided by the total points possible. That number is multiplied by 1,000 to calculate the team’s APR. Academic statistics are not all bad for the men’s basketball squad. Ten of the 13 members of the team posted GPA’s of 3.0 or higher in spring 2006. APR news is better for the University’s football and women’s basketball teams, but still not up to the standards set in the new contracts. Multi-year APR for the football team in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005, when Nick Saban was the head coach, was 935. Coach Les Miles’ new deal, which runs through the 2010 season, stated if the team’s APR is 950 or higher in 2006-2007 or 2007-2008, Miles will receive the supplemental compensation of $25,000. It also stated that if the APR is above 960 in 2008-2009 or 2009-2010, Miles will receive another supplemental compensation of $25,000. Other academic incentives in Miles’ contract stated that in the event his team’s GPA was 2.80 or higher, Miles would be paid an additional $50,000 for each year that goal is obtained. Of all the coaches, Pokey Chatman seems closest to achieving the goals for her incentives. Chatman’s amended contracts stated if the APR for her women’s basketball team is 945 or higher in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008, she will be paid $25,000. The deal also stated if the APR is 960 or higher in 2008-2009, Chatman will receive an additional $25,000. The multi-year APR for the women’s team in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 was 933. The new contracts were approved by the LSU System Board of Supervisors at their meeting July 14 and board members applauded the University’s efforts to reward the coaches for academic success. Jerry Shea Jr., chairman-elect of the Board of Supervisors, said the success of student athletes both on the field and in the classroom is very important. “One of the best things we can do is make sure student athletes are getting the best education they can get,” he said. The future does look bright for the academic success of student athletes. Thirty-three student athletes were named to the SEC Freshmen Academic Honor Roll July 13. To be eligible for the list, a student athlete must have a GPA of 3.00 or higher, be on a scholarship or letter winner, complete 24 hours of non-remedial credit at a University and must be a member on the varsity team for the entire season. Seven football players made the list. Attempts to obtain the football team’s GPA through the athletic department were unsuccessful as of deadline.
_____Contact Tyler Batiste at [email protected]