07-30-2004, 05:19 AM
As far as I'm concerned, no system will ever be correct until these kids start getting paid for their playing time.
Sorry, a scholarship and a tiny stipend for food isn't enough. Not when the NCAA makes billions off a seemingly endless list of sponsored bowl games and their TV contracts, not to mention regular merchandising (jerseys, video games, etc.), but keeps the athletes locked in a rigid set of draconian rules all designed to keep them from profiting off their own talent. Hell, a coach can move to a different (and more successful) program with no repercussions... but if a player wants to leave for greener pastures, to get more playing time, or simply because the team isn't getting better (perhaps because the famed coach just left?), he/she loses a year of eligibility.
Think about when Roy Williams left Kansas for UNC-- what about the Kansas players left behind? If they wanted to follow him to his new school, they couldn't play for a year. He, however, could start coaching and recruiting right away. They would be better off just leaving early for the pros, rather than stay in a faltering college program... sound fair to you?
This may apply more to basketball players (who can jump early), so there <i>is</i> more incentive to stay and finish all 4 (or 5, or however long it takes them) years until graduation. But it really needs to be done more for football players, especially since the NFL won the right to keep underclassmen with less than (what was the amount? 3 years? Or until their equivalent junior class comes up, some such stupid rule.) of college experience from entering the draft. <b>Pay these kids</b>. Stop hiding behind the aura of the "student-athlete". Stop pretending that the only reason <a href=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/acc/2004-06-29-miami-williams_x.htm target=new>the Miami Hurricanes have recruited Willie Williams, he of the 11-- yes, <b>eleven</b>-- arrests</a> is because they think he'll graduate with a 3.8 GPA, and not that maybe he can run a 3.8 while chasing down the opposing QB.
It's a fucking joke, that's what it is.
Sorry, a scholarship and a tiny stipend for food isn't enough. Not when the NCAA makes billions off a seemingly endless list of sponsored bowl games and their TV contracts, not to mention regular merchandising (jerseys, video games, etc.), but keeps the athletes locked in a rigid set of draconian rules all designed to keep them from profiting off their own talent. Hell, a coach can move to a different (and more successful) program with no repercussions... but if a player wants to leave for greener pastures, to get more playing time, or simply because the team isn't getting better (perhaps because the famed coach just left?), he/she loses a year of eligibility.
Think about when Roy Williams left Kansas for UNC-- what about the Kansas players left behind? If they wanted to follow him to his new school, they couldn't play for a year. He, however, could start coaching and recruiting right away. They would be better off just leaving early for the pros, rather than stay in a faltering college program... sound fair to you?
This may apply more to basketball players (who can jump early), so there <i>is</i> more incentive to stay and finish all 4 (or 5, or however long it takes them) years until graduation. But it really needs to be done more for football players, especially since the NFL won the right to keep underclassmen with less than (what was the amount? 3 years? Or until their equivalent junior class comes up, some such stupid rule.) of college experience from entering the draft. <b>Pay these kids</b>. Stop hiding behind the aura of the "student-athlete". Stop pretending that the only reason <a href=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/acc/2004-06-29-miami-williams_x.htm target=new>the Miami Hurricanes have recruited Willie Williams, he of the 11-- yes, <b>eleven</b>-- arrests</a> is because they think he'll graduate with a 3.8 GPA, and not that maybe he can run a 3.8 while chasing down the opposing QB.
It's a fucking joke, that's what it is.
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<marquee behavior=alternate> <A href="mailto:darkmoonchild23@aol.com"><center><i>"ARE YOU PONDERING WHAT I'M PONDERING?"</i></center></a></marquee><br /><a href="aim:goim?ScreenName=DarkMoonchild23&Message=NARF!!!!!"><center>I think so, Brain...</center></a><br /><i><font color=4e4e4e>I'll conquer the world long before Kingpin ever finds "Pinky"</i></font><br /><font color=white><b><i>Now, I must return to the Lab to prepare for tomorrow night...</b></i></font><font color=4d4d4d size=-5>
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<marquee behavior=alternate> <A href="mailto:darkmoonchild23@aol.com"><center><i>"ARE YOU PONDERING WHAT I'M PONDERING?"</i></center></a></marquee><br /><a href="aim:goim?ScreenName=DarkMoonchild23&Message=NARF!!!!!"><center>I think so, Brain...</center></a><br /><i><font color=4e4e4e>I'll conquer the world long before Kingpin ever finds "Pinky"</i></font><br /><font color=white><b><i>Now, I must return to the Lab to prepare for tomorrow night...</b></i></font><font color=4d4d4d size=-5>