[NU Sports] FW: interesting column by NU alum Darren Rovell

[mlinhardt at netzero.com]

I read an article where Tressel was quoted that if a player has a hardship the university works with the player within the NCAA rules.  Players don't need to endanger their eligibility for real hardship.
 
Too many non-revenue sports lose money so football and basketball subsidize the other sports.  If the athletic department had so much excess revenue I think they would consider funding additional sports.
 
When you sign a letter of intent I think both the student and the university have responsibilities.  
For the university:
* Free ride until graduation no matter whether the student-athlete performs to on the field expectations or injuries, excluding insubordination and NCAA violations
* Academic support to assist the in scheduling classes to meet their sports schedule
* Academic support to bring them to them to graduation as many of them are in the lower tier academically of what we normally accept
* Support staff that makes sure the player understands the NCAA rules
* Support staff that diligently deals with hardships within the boundaries of the NCAA rules
* Coaches that put the health of the player first
* Coaches that put the academics of the player first
* Top notch medical staff that puts the long-term health of the player first
* Support staff that looks after the long-term best interest of the student-athlete whether that be a professional sports career or a career in the "real" world.

For the student-athlete:
* Work diligently towards graduation
* Comply with NCAA rules
* Comply with team rules
* Dealing with health issues realistically
* Putting forth a good faith effort to advance the team including on/off season training both physical and mental
 
We fund/donate to the athletic department based on those expectations.
---------- Original Message ----------
> Why not let scholarship athletes borrow up to $4,000 a year so that they
> have spending money when they are in school? Then they can get on a loan
> repayment program and pay interest like everyone else.

So, after student-athletes get a free $100,000 - $200,000 education (and 
possibly even a free master's degree should they redshirt), you now want to 
loan them tax-free spending money?  Why should only athletic scholarship 
students enjoy this perk?  Not buying it. 


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