A while back, we posted about the unintended consequences of the NCAA putting such an emphasis on graduation rates.

With that in mind, one might ask, "So, just how much DOES a scholarship athlete 'cost' an institution?"

Consider this article by the AP's Chris Talbott (which, as Marie points out, reminds us of the importance of investigative journanalism, even in this time of disappearing sports desks).

Like a lot of other athletes at Ole Miss and elsewhere, Oher got not only tutoring help but a full range of academic support services throughout his career. At Ole Miss, 14 full-time staffers line up tutors for student-athletes, help them choose classes, monitor study halls and check attendance. More than 60 percent of the Rebels' 390 athletes receive at least some tutoring, and together they averaged about 1,000 sessions a week this fall.

Such services are not unusual.

The last five years have seen an astounding jump in the time, money and resources devoted to academic support for student-athletes, even as some faculty complain that just plain students are being left behind.