I tried to read the entire article, but after reading this paragraph:
“As slimy as some of these matters are, it’s generally conceded they are deviations from the professional sports norm. And when a professional sports figure ignores ethics and morality, or commits a crime, the legal system intervenes and the resultant stigma never completely fades.”
I hard to stop because I was laughing so hard my ass fell off and I had to go to the ER to get it re-attached.
I’m buying into this article up until the point where the author starts whining on behalf of the players, who don’t get to enjoy the fruits of the marketing contracts cut by their coaches. Let’s keep a few things in mind:
1. these kids do this because it’s what they love and what they dreamed about doing since they started playing with balls back in grade school
2. they’re on scholarship, and yes perhaps they’re pressured more to succeed on the field than off of it, but the institution encourages their success more than that of most students for sure
3. at a lot of institutions, these students benefit from the best facilities, one-on-one tutors, etc.
4. they get to live like celebrities for four years
5. they have a shot at going pro, working in sports agency, or coaching college ball when they’re done with college. If none of that pans out, they should be able to get some other job
So this author asks why these students don’t get paid to show up at academic institutions and devote most of their time and energy into athletic proto-stardom? I think the bigger question is why academic institutions have athletics at all, besides that people love watching student athletes play with balls.
April 4th, 2011 at 6:03PM
I tried to read the entire article, but after reading this paragraph:
“As slimy as some of these matters are, it’s generally conceded they are deviations from the professional sports norm. And when a professional sports figure ignores ethics and morality, or commits a crime, the legal system intervenes and the resultant stigma never completely fades.”
I hard to stop because I was laughing so hard my ass fell off and I had to go to the ER to get it re-attached.
April 5th, 2011 at 5:44PM
I’m buying into this article up until the point where the author starts whining on behalf of the players, who don’t get to enjoy the fruits of the marketing contracts cut by their coaches. Let’s keep a few things in mind:
1. these kids do this because it’s what they love and what they dreamed about doing since they started playing with balls back in grade school
2. they’re on scholarship, and yes perhaps they’re pressured more to succeed on the field than off of it, but the institution encourages their success more than that of most students for sure
3. at a lot of institutions, these students benefit from the best facilities, one-on-one tutors, etc.
4. they get to live like celebrities for four years
5. they have a shot at going pro, working in sports agency, or coaching college ball when they’re done with college. If none of that pans out, they should be able to get some other job
So this author asks why these students don’t get paid to show up at academic institutions and devote most of their time and energy into athletic proto-stardom? I think the bigger question is why academic institutions have athletics at all, besides that people love watching student athletes play with balls.