My granddaughter had to play against IMG Academy 4 years ago in Florida State semifinals. Forgone conclusion who would win.

quote:

Originally posted by Pale Horse:
For those of you who think college sports should not exist, why do you think that? And do you have any facts to support your opinion on that matter?

Please don’t assume that my asking automatically means I support college athletic programs. I’m looking for input, not personal attacks.

I like amateur college sports. I believe sports can compliment learning and foster school spirit & pride (and alumni donations). Sports also satify a public craving to watch & follow competition. That's why the Olympics and FIFA World Cup are phenomenons.

That being said, NCAA Div 1 men's football and basketball left the amateur station a long time ago. I don't like the NCAA operating as de facto minor leagues for the NFL & NBA and for free no less. Problem is, with so much money flowing into those sports, they've turned amateurism on its head and corrupted everyone in leadership positions.

As flashguy stated, the university should control the sports program, not the other way around. There's something wrong when a coach is the biggest man on campus and by far highest paid. The U of Alabama's president makes less than Nick Saban's offensive & defensive coordinators. Saban makes about 10X what the school president does. Coach K makes at least 7X what the Duke University president does. What kind of message does that make about an institution of higher learning?

I've read all the arguments defending the money sports. The money made from football & basketball support all the other sports, etc. Well why can't more of that money be diverted back to the college to improve the academic experience of the general student population? If donors & boosters are willing to fund a $200 million renovation of the University of TX stadium, IMO, at least half of that should go back into the university towards academic-related improvements outside of the athletic dept. Every athletic scholarship funded by boosters should have a matching amount going to the university's general scholarship fund.

Who needs whom more? How well do you think 'Bama's football team would fare if it seceded from the university? Would the U of AL cease to exist w/o it?

quote:

Originally posted by DaveL:
people who were college athletes are some of the most well-rounded and diligent candidates I’ve seen. There is a world of difference between someone who graduated with a 3.5 and played four years for a D-1 program and someone who had a 4.0 but has never worked before. I see quite a few of the latter, or I used to because those resumes typically get passed over now, and I will take the the athlete every time.

I’m not saying every former athlete is a great candidate because that would be silly. But the opposite is equally silly.

I agree wholeheartedly.

Not every athlete is a good candidate, but 9-11 years of football (team) experience, working towards a goal, discipline, is a FAR better candidate than most of the steaming pile of shits coming out of college these days with a degree.

A college athlete has to multitask on so many levels. School work, girl friend, work outs, studying, practice. They hardly get any sleep those 4-5 years in college....

I know of a couple past college athletes and they all are making 6 figures, easy.