Comments on: The Death Of Big-Time Amateur College Athletics

By: the lax bro

the lax bro — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:24:00 +0000

They are going to college with sports on the side. But you guys are thinking of it as they are going to play sports with college on the side. They don’t deserve having that presser on themselves but they are getting that presser so they get nervous and feel like they have let their whole city down when they are only in college, going to college with sports on the side.

By: Payu Nerngchamnong

Payu Nerngchamnong — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:07:00 +0000

I should start paying my players so I can say I have “professional athletes” on my squad… built some street cred’

By: Luscious Dick Tacoma

Luscious Dick Tacoma — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:18:00 +0000

The millions of dollars get made by the schools through judicious supply choking via the NCAA. Their stranglehold on advertising/sponsors/etc is similar to how diamond values are artificially inflated by DeBeers et al. keeping diamonds out of the market.

So much college football is on TeeVee because the NCAA positioned it as such. Other sports could generate revenues through deals to get them on the air, but that would cut into the NCAA profits – since the first season or two or maybe even five would have to be sold at a loss.

If the NCAA were not in the middle, artificially creating a market, this wouldn’t be an issue.

I truly believe that, yes, many of the teams that can’t support themselves are unable to support themselves because the NCAA prevents them from doing so.

By: Ben Skalina

Ben Skalina — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:07:00 +0000

Reminds me of the scene from the beginning of Gladiator:

Marcus Aurelius: Why are we here?
Maximus: For the glory of Rome, sire.
MA: And what is that?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:54:00 +0000

I agree it is the way it is, but does that mean it is the way things HAVE to be? What about the future? Can’t we make changes to address these issues? Or are we stuck with it?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:53:00 +0000

great points!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:52:00 +0000

YES!!!!!! definitely. JHU and the Ivies are also great examples.

But the question is, should college ATHLETICS drive the University? Or should it be academics? Right now, it seems like sports trump classes.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:51:00 +0000

I think the bigger question you pose is fantastic! Maybe that’s the next post!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:51:00 +0000

I like it!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:50:00 +0000

I’m not necessarily talking about PAYING athletes though… maybe just changing how we view college sports.

I actually don’t think that TP should be PAID to play college football, and neither does the NCAA. it’s why these guys are “amateurs” but I feel like we’re lying to people about that. Nothing about TP or OSU football is amateur. And there is the issue right there!

Great comment though, Dan!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:50:00 +0000

I agree. But there has to be a change… these big time fball and bball guys simply are NOT amateur athletes. THey’re pros.

By: Adam Edg

Adam Edg — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:40:00 +0000

Great point. The effect of all of these kids attending that may not have is two-fold: 1. They incur higher personal debt via student loans – debt that cannot be cleared away with bankruptcy, mind you 2. They create a surplus of college graduates which leads to a devaluation of the college degree. So not only are they assuming huge debt to go to school, they are actively decreasing their net value by contributing to the already overflowing pool of college educated job seekers.
There are several places around the country where the bulk of college graduates are working in positions that do not require a degree – for the same money as high school graduates – or even being passed over as “over qualified” compared to high school graduates. Forget about doing anything close to your major… Despite the rhetoric from the higher education industry (colleges), having a degree not only does not guarantee you a better paying job, it may actually hinder your ability to get a job period.
While I sit in my cubicle as the only person in MY OFFICE with a graduate degree (including management), I loathe the fact that I have huge personal debt yet do the same job for the same pay as the girl across the aisle with the GED.

By: Craven

Craven — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:54:00 +0000

I’d almost turn this argument on it’s head and instead of focusing on the Athletic Dept’s why not turn the scrutiny on the entire college system in the US right now. There is a ton of debate right now over the real “worth” of a college degree these days. Giant student loans crush recent graduates and rising tuition mean that schools actually USE big time sports to draw in admissions from students that they otherwise wouldn’t get. College’s seem to work more like a business these days than ever before

One thing I do agree on, the current system doesnt allow for the flexibility that would allow for student athletes to be properly compensated while also representing a place of higher learning.

By: Empower the Athlete

Empower the Athlete — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:24:00 +0000

Obviously you can’t pay every student athlete. And if only the big BCS schools have the ability to pay athletes, or give significant stipends, then that would really mess with recruiting.

One solution might be some sort of profit sharing to the athletes of off jersey and merchandise sales. Another one might be just to loosen the NCAA rules around endorsements; so the sponsors could pay the collegiate athletes to appear in commercials etc, and it would come at no cost to the institution, and maybe the institution could even take a percentage. Athlete’s would be required to maintain a certain level of academic standing and also have a clean image in their representation of the school to be eligible for these off campus endorsements. Just a thought.
Obviously the big football and basketball players would get more money than a soccer, lacrosse, or tennis star (as they should because they are making more money for the university), but there would also be more local opportunities for those stars of smaller sports to endorse local businesses and by doing so they would raise awareness for their program with the local community and make a few extra bucks.

By: Empower the Athlete

Empower the Athlete — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:17:00 +0000

Connor, did you watch this? http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6653665