Georgetown Basketball and Academic Reputation
by Hire Esherick on Jun 2, 2009 10:07 AM EDT
in Random Ramblings
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PrintGeorgetown University and its basketball program were mentioned in a Pittsburgh newspaper article which discussed the forced resignation of a high school basketball coach. The reference to the University had nothing to do with the caliber of student-athletes or the resurgence of the basketball program, but rather how an admissions director reportedly linked the academic reputation of Georgetown with the race of its basketball team. The article states:
"The lawsuit claims Kiski's admissions director balked at the number of black recruits and claimed Georgetown University's reputation declined after it began fielding all-black basketball teams."
This was a controversy that reared its ugly head thirty years ago, as a young John Thompson Jr. brought the nation's oldest Catholic University into the national spotlight because of the success of its basketball program. The fact that it is still being referenced today is embarrassing, not only because it has been proven untrue, but because people still hold onto the notion that athletic success comes at the expense of academic reputation, with the race of the team being the determining factor. For those interested in learning more, Leonard Shapiro wrote an excellent book entitled Big Man on Campus: John Thompson and the Georgetown Hoyas which discusses past statements similar to that made by the admissions director of the Pittsburgh school, and how Georgetown has responded.
Good talk.
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White Shadow
I wonder if there’s a causal link between an improvement in the University’s reputation after Nikita began clanging 3s as a starter.
Since I tend to doubt it, I look forward to the Henry Sims era.
Casually.
Georgetown is relevant today
because of four people: Fr. Tim Healy (white), Charlie Deacon, Dean of Admissions (white), John Thompson III (black), Patrick Ewing (black). Some of both … just like the blue and gray we cling to.
JT3 or JT2?
I hope that JTIII will be as influential as his pops but only time will tell. i do know that he will not be nearly as controversial.
by whogonnasexdikembetonight on Jun 2, 2009 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree
But also think JT3 won’t have the opportunities to be as influential as Pops. JT II was a special coach during a special time in college basketball. JT3 won’t have measures like Prop 42 to fight against or face blatant racism by opposing fans and the national media.
Good talk.
by Hire Esherick on Jun 2, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
growing up in Pacific NW
I thought Georgetown was an HBC until I was high school junior looking at colleges (early 90s). And that perception was based largely on the bball team.
Interesting
But how many other teams had an all-black starting five as well? I am willing to venture that quite a few did during the time period you mentioned.
Was your initial perception because of the coach or the team or both?
Good talk.
by Hire Esherick on Jun 3, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I think the coach,
to be frank it was still an anamoly at the time to see a black head coach. It was only JT II and Nolan Richardson at Arkansas who even had high profile jobs. Has another black coach ever even won the BE? Plus the team had no white players that I ever saw on the floor. And obvisouly I think the media played a part, who did keep focusing on race whenever Gtown played.
All that said, the only reason on the west coast I heard of Gtown was bball, so when the time came to choose schools, I actually knew the name and did the research to figure out its solid academic rep. And frankly outside of a few mentions in the Pelican Brief, the Bball team is only time the school routinely comes up.
by bunk moreland on Jun 4, 2009 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Actually .........No!
I think that Georgetown’s reputation and desirability as a school to attend actually got a big boost from the basketball team during JT II’s times. While all schools have become more selective (at least statistically), I would venture that Georgetown has moved up the comparative ranks over time. More alumni excitement and dollars also helped fund much needed infrastructure at the school. So much of this “academic reputation” crap (which also shows up in the US News and World Report college rankings) stems from a bunch of old tenured professors at other universities who cite the absence of strong PHD programs across a wide range of fields or a huge endowment as a knock against Georgetown’s “academic reputation”. They would probably feel the same way about a university that had a successful basketball team/program – even if it wasn’t with a black coach and 5 black starters. Athletic focus over academic focus.
So much of this stuff is, and should be, ancient history.
While Esherick never started (to the best of my recollection), he did play a lot adding a “white” dimension to the team (for those who would criticize an “all black” team)! And if the 3 point line had been in existence, he may well have started a few games. Not sure if he could coach, but he was strong from beyond the (imaginary) arc.
exactly
applications went up as a result of the basketball team being highly ranked in the 80s, while admissions only increased as more campus space became available (i.e. never). the result is a lower admittance rate, which equates to what you said, more selective.
Good talk.
by Hire Esherick on Jun 3, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions
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