Blue Bombers add to roster (2)

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers add to roster (2)

WINNIPEG, MB., November 18, 2025 –   The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announce the team has signed American defensive back Michael (Flip) Dixon, and American receiver Bryce Kirtz.

Dixon (6-2, 210, Rutgers; born: January 16, 2002 in Statesboro, GA.) joins the Blue Bombers after a five-year collegiate career with Minnesota and Rutgers.

At Minnesota (2020-2022), he totalled 45 tackles (27 solo, 18 assisted), one interception, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and four passes defended in 30 games (six starts).

Dixon transferred to Rutgers for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, where he totaled 138 tackles (84 solo, 54 assisted), 3.5 tackles for loss, 13 pass breakups, three interceptions, one forced fumble, and one blocked punt while starting all 25 games. He has earned Academic All-Big Ten honours from 2021 to 2024.

Kirtz (6-0, 195, Northwestern; born: April 27, 2000, in Brownsburg, IN.) signs on after a five-year collegiate career at Northwestern University (2020-2024).

Kirtz appeared in 47 games from 2020 to 2024, finishing with 132 receptions for 1,781 yards and five touchdowns. He added two rushing attempts for seven yards and served as a team captain in his final season.

Kirtz's breakout year came in 2023 when he led the Wildcats with 49 catches for 701 yards and five touchdowns, including a career-best 215-yard performance against Minnesota. In 2024, he followed with 39 receptions for 598 yards, averaging 15.3 yards per catch.

[markf]

I was curious.


" Criteria for making the Academic All-Big Ten team (Dixon above) include being in at least their second academic year at their institution and maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher."

Without looking further, three straight years, that's Impressive.

Edit... but not really.

[VictorRomano]

I was curious.


" Criteria for making the Academic All-Big Ten team (Dixon above) include being in at least their second academic year at their institution and maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher."

Without looking further, three straight years, that's Impressive.

3.0 GPA isn't impressive.  It's 60% (unless the prof marks on a bell curve).  3.0 is the minimum you need in most colleges for academic eligibility to participate in athletics - when you fall below that, they put you on an academic recovery plan with tutoring.  3.0 is basically the bare minimum you need to pass.

That said, perfect GPA is 5.0 (100%); Honor Roll is typically 4.0 (80%) or above.  Dean's List is typically 4.5+.  So, take the GPA, multiply by 20, and that gives you the percentage.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

3.0 GPA isn't impressive.  It's 60% (unless the prof marks on a bell curve).  3.0 is the minimum you need in most colleges for academic eligibility to participate in athletics - when you fall below that, they put you on an academic recovery plan with tutoring.  3.0 is basically the bare minimum you need to pass.

That said, perfect GPA is 5.0 (100%); Honor Roll is typically 4.0 (80%) or above.  Dean's List is typically 4.5+.  So, take the GPA, multiply by 20, and that gives you the percentage.

In reality the US education system is as corrupt and messed up as their political system, when it comes to harvesting athletic talent, maintaining educational standards doesn't necessarily apply. If you can run fast and catch a football there's a place for you, even if you can't read!

This is a great article.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/10/the-shame-of-college-sports/308643/

[markf]

3.0 GPA isn't impressive.  It's 60% (unless the prof marks on a bell curve).  3.0 is the minimum you need in most colleges for academic eligibility to participate in athletics - when you fall below that, they put you on an academic recovery plan with tutoring.  3.0 is basically the bare minimum you need to pass.

That said, perfect GPA is 5.0 (100%); Honor Roll is typically 4.0 (80%) or above.  Dean's List is typically 4.5+.  So, take the GPA, multiply by 20, and that gives you the percentage.

Oops. Thanks... I thought it was quite high.

[Tecno]

Oops. Thanks... I thought it was quite high.

Haven't you guys been to U?  3.0-4.0 would be considered perfectly fine.  No employer is going to give a toot you got 3.2 vs 3.8.  A 4.5 might look nice for some high-expectation jobs.  But if you're that high you're probably going for your Masters/Doctorate anyhow.

Most fedgov jobs just want you to have a degree.  Even if you got 2.0, they don't care.  And "real world" employers are more interested in you being able to actually do the job, not what arbitrary number you got in your "extended adolescence".

And yes, the "jocks" are often (but not always) not the brightest bulbs, so yes, a 3.0+ would be considered quite good -- especially if it was science or something and not basket-weaving and "rocks for jocks".

[JockitchwithRich]

GPA in colleges, per Google, is from 4.0 and below
It said 3.0 is considered a B rating
Sorry didn't provide link but just typed GPA scale

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Haven't you guys been to U?  3.0-4.0 would be considered perfectly fine.  No employer is going to give a toot you got 3.2 vs 3.8.  A 4.5 might look nice for some high-expectation jobs.  But if you're that high you're probably going for your Masters/Doctorate anyhow.

Most fedgov jobs just want you to have a degree.  Even if you got 2.0, they don't care.  And "real world" employers are more interested in you being able to actually do the job, not what arbitrary number you got in your "extended adolescence".

And yes, the "jocks" are often (but not always) the brightest bulbs, so yes, a 3.0+ would be considered quite good -- especially if it was science or something and not basket-weaving and "rocks for jocks".

I've never had an employer (or anyone else) ever ask what grade I got in university. I've also never asked that of anyone either. I guess it matters for academic awards and maybe for the top couple percent of highly competitive entry level jobs directly out of PSI only if the job is essentially comparing candidates who have no experience and are all from first time into the market. Otherwise, it's totally irrelevant in practice for almost everyone.

[Tecno]

GPA in colleges, per Google, is from 4.0 and below
It said 3.0 is considered a B rating

Ya, but some U's are allowing > 4.0 in a class (usually 4.5 for A+) to count towards the GPA now.  Whether they cap the final result at 4.0 or allow it to go higher if you earn it, is up to the U.  When I was there 4.0 was the max anyone could get come term end.

A student with all A+'s could brag their GPA as being more than 4.0, even if their transcript shows only 4.0, I guess.