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Originally posted by Columbuseer
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Interesting discussion of a complicated issue. I think the current structure of D1 sports is inherently flawed. I suggest that we start with what is best for the athlete as the foundational premise and go forward from there. Here are some brainstorm ideas.
1. A great athlete should not be locked out of the possibility of a huge professional income just because they are not academically qualified for college. Currently colleges are committing academic fraud and exploiting athletes.
2. Every athlete should be given training for a middle class career, in the likely event they are not good enough to be a professional. This should be in technical trades (plumbing, electrician, diesel mechanic, etc. ) or a real academic major (not a worthless major just to maintain eligibility). Should they turn pro early, they have the right to return to technical school or college tuition free for up to 10 years after they retire to avoid coaches channeling players out of college majors for selfish reasons.
3. Zero tuition dollars from regular students should be used to fund athletics. Donors, ticket sales, and the pro leagues would be required cover the shortfall
4. Colleges must set union pay scales for coaches to avoid the bidding war, maybe like the GS schedule in the government. It is ridiculous the salaries being paid to coaches. It is just a game, for pete's sake. This would reduce the influence of the big money donors.
5. Most radically, reduce The number of D1 football and basketball teams and align them with the pro teams, rather than a school. This is startng to happen with the G league in basketball. They will siphon off the best one and done players. This will reduce the donors who are controlling college athletics now for bragging rights for their alma mater and eliminate coaching bidding war at the universities and shift it to the business of the pro league. But the pro minor leagues still have to honor item 2 above and not exploit the athletes.
It is a complex issue and the above items are just a starting point for widening the view of possible solutions. Not all are feasible. But the hypocrisy and exploitation has to stop.
1. A great athlete should not be locked out of the possibility of a huge professional income just because they are not academically qualified for college. Currently colleges are committing academic fraud and exploiting athletes.
2. Every athlete should be given training for a middle class career, in the likely event they are not good enough to be a professional. This should be in technical trades (plumbing, electrician, diesel mechanic, etc. ) or a real academic major (not a worthless major just to maintain eligibility). Should they turn pro early, they have the right to return to technical school or college tuition free for up to 10 years after they retire to avoid coaches channeling players out of college majors for selfish reasons.
3. Zero tuition dollars from regular students should be used to fund athletics. Donors, ticket sales, and the pro leagues would be required cover the shortfall
4. Colleges must set union pay scales for coaches to avoid the bidding war, maybe like the GS schedule in the government. It is ridiculous the salaries being paid to coaches. It is just a game, for pete's sake. This would reduce the influence of the big money donors.
5. Most radically, reduce The number of D1 football and basketball teams and align them with the pro teams, rather than a school. This is startng to happen with the G league in basketball. They will siphon off the best one and done players. This will reduce the donors who are controlling college athletics now for bragging rights for their alma mater and eliminate coaching bidding war at the universities and shift it to the business of the pro league. But the pro minor leagues still have to honor item 2 above and not exploit the athletes.
It is a complex issue and the above items are just a starting point for widening the view of possible solutions. Not all are feasible. But the hypocrisy and exploitation has to stop.
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