So … in the US sport abilities are rewarded by free tuition, while academic achievers work 2 jobs to get through. :And people wonder why the US is falling behind the rest of the world/
Oscar Robertson argued for paying a reasonable stipend to athletes many years ago, to recognize the hours demanded by practices which obviously detract from those available for study time or other college activities. Oscar came to our school (the University of Cincinnati) largely because of the Co-op system, where he could work honestly (at minimum wage); but the NCAA decided that such honest work was not acceptable. Oscar did get his Business Administration degree (not an easy college), which helped him throughout his life, both as NBA players rep and later in his own business, But because of this, UC scholarship athletes in major programs were subsequently not allowed to Co-op. Since Co-op was a major factor in my own Engineering success (and let me graduate debt-free), I firmly believe that denying that work experience and mininal income significantly degrades the value of a UC diploma.
The NFL and NBA clearly need a farm system. Let them build one and take it out of the education system. The current system is corrupting both the universities and the athletes. Universities will be just fine without major sports, none of the cash generated goes to education anyway. When was the last time you heard of revenue from the athletics department endowing a chair in the psychology department?
Had this conversation with my manager the other day. He’s British; in England college sports aren’t televised and don’t really generate money the way they do here. Thus they have no athletic scholarships there. And yet athletes there DO go to college and then play pro sports. Bottom line: it’s the money (as always) that corrupts the system.
Spyderred over 13 years ago
So … in the US sport abilities are rewarded by free tuition, while academic achievers work 2 jobs to get through. :And people wonder why the US is falling behind the rest of the world/
fogey over 13 years ago
Oscar Robertson argued for paying a reasonable stipend to athletes many years ago, to recognize the hours demanded by practices which obviously detract from those available for study time or other college activities. Oscar came to our school (the University of Cincinnati) largely because of the Co-op system, where he could work honestly (at minimum wage); but the NCAA decided that such honest work was not acceptable. Oscar did get his Business Administration degree (not an easy college), which helped him throughout his life, both as NBA players rep and later in his own business, But because of this, UC scholarship athletes in major programs were subsequently not allowed to Co-op. Since Co-op was a major factor in my own Engineering success (and let me graduate debt-free), I firmly believe that denying that work experience and mininal income significantly degrades the value of a UC diploma.
GCNP Premium Member over 13 years ago
The NFL and NBA clearly need a farm system. Let them build one and take it out of the education system. The current system is corrupting both the universities and the athletes. Universities will be just fine without major sports, none of the cash generated goes to education anyway. When was the last time you heard of revenue from the athletics department endowing a chair in the psychology department?
yyyguy over 13 years ago
fogey & gcnp i agree completely!
Itsjustb over 13 years ago
Had this conversation with my manager the other day. He’s British; in England college sports aren’t televised and don’t really generate money the way they do here. Thus they have no athletic scholarships there. And yet athletes there DO go to college and then play pro sports. Bottom line: it’s the money (as always) that corrupts the system.