Disdainful as it might seem to some, careers in sports and sport-related industries are available and potentially more lucrative than in many fields of endeavor. The entertainment industry rather misuses those with athletic talent, and often discards them after a few years when physical prowess lessens. .Maybe there should be a national college-level curriculum called “Sports Studies” that mixes physical fitness courses with business and communication courses. I don’t watch professional sports that much, but the players make much profit for others and don’t always reap the benefits..And if you really want to be entertained and watch sincere effort, go see grade school and lower-grade high school sports teams. And cheer the players other than just the “stars.”
The NCAA needs to just proclaim them professional athletes and end the stupid charade. Likewise, “amateur” ice skaters and snow boarders driving Ferraris and Lamborghini (2 of ’em in fact) seem a tad of a stretch, and not their lycra.
I’ve long been in support of that. The players should either have a major tailored around sports, thus eliminating the need for grade fixing and delusions of players getting a proper education, or not be considered students.
“Separate the teams from the schools, let the schools sell their names to the teams for advertising purposes and get over it.”I have no respect for the NCAA system, but I know too many people who somehow think they have a connection to big name professional athletes who went to their school, despite never having seen them other than when they were playing.Your suggestion breaks the illusion that the big NCAA programs are nothing more than minor league affiliates of the Big Leagues.No one wants to see minor league games on national TV, despite the fact that the talent level is probably better than the NCAAs, minus a few stars.I guess I’d be happy to see college athletics return to a local attraction that has modest support from alumni, but there’s a lot of money that won’t be made if that were the case.
BTW, I doubt any player at the college level is going to make a mistake at the behest of the financial aid office. The most talented players aren’t expecting to stay past their Freshman season. Almost all of the others just aren’t that good.I’d love to see the college champs play the worst teams in MLB, NFL, NHL & NBA, just to see how badly they would lose. The worst player on any pro team was a star in college.
Ruff: When my kids were in Canadian high school, it took them three years to find out that their school actually had an inter scholastic football team, and never did find out whether the rules were based on US or Canadian professional rules. They did have some emphasis on “house teams” (think Potter) in which everyone participated. Totally separate were they semi-pro Junior hockey and box lacrosse, whose only school factor was the requirement to keep the grades up. A farm club is a farm club, and there is no need to parasitize schools for a free ride on this basic development.
emptc12 over 9 years ago
Disdainful as it might seem to some, careers in sports and sport-related industries are available and potentially more lucrative than in many fields of endeavor. The entertainment industry rather misuses those with athletic talent, and often discards them after a few years when physical prowess lessens. .Maybe there should be a national college-level curriculum called “Sports Studies” that mixes physical fitness courses with business and communication courses. I don’t watch professional sports that much, but the players make much profit for others and don’t always reap the benefits..And if you really want to be entertained and watch sincere effort, go see grade school and lower-grade high school sports teams. And cheer the players other than just the “stars.”
Dtroutma over 9 years ago
The NCAA needs to just proclaim them professional athletes and end the stupid charade. Likewise, “amateur” ice skaters and snow boarders driving Ferraris and Lamborghini (2 of ’em in fact) seem a tad of a stretch, and not their lycra.
Jason Allen over 9 years ago
I’ve long been in support of that. The players should either have a major tailored around sports, thus eliminating the need for grade fixing and delusions of players getting a proper education, or not be considered students.
Uncle Joe Premium Member over 9 years ago
“Separate the teams from the schools, let the schools sell their names to the teams for advertising purposes and get over it.”I have no respect for the NCAA system, but I know too many people who somehow think they have a connection to big name professional athletes who went to their school, despite never having seen them other than when they were playing.Your suggestion breaks the illusion that the big NCAA programs are nothing more than minor league affiliates of the Big Leagues.No one wants to see minor league games on national TV, despite the fact that the talent level is probably better than the NCAAs, minus a few stars.I guess I’d be happy to see college athletics return to a local attraction that has modest support from alumni, but there’s a lot of money that won’t be made if that were the case.
Uncle Joe Premium Member over 9 years ago
BTW, I doubt any player at the college level is going to make a mistake at the behest of the financial aid office. The most talented players aren’t expecting to stay past their Freshman season. Almost all of the others just aren’t that good.I’d love to see the college champs play the worst teams in MLB, NFL, NHL & NBA, just to see how badly they would lose. The worst player on any pro team was a star in college.
hippogriff over 9 years ago
Ruff: When my kids were in Canadian high school, it took them three years to find out that their school actually had an inter scholastic football team, and never did find out whether the rules were based on US or Canadian professional rules. They did have some emphasis on “house teams” (think Potter) in which everyone participated. Totally separate were they semi-pro Junior hockey and box lacrosse, whose only school factor was the requirement to keep the grades up. A farm club is a farm club, and there is no need to parasitize schools for a free ride on this basic development.