Quote:
Originally Posted by MD Longhorn
"Dad - I'm sick of playing for Suck High School - they are awful, scouts are never going to see me play."
"OK, son - go live with these people and you can change schools and play for a better team."
"Ah ... cool. I'm an athlete, I will be coddled and provided for - I can do whatever I want."
Athletic affluenza.
|
I don't really see what the problem is to provide kids the best opportunity to maximize their potential. If changing school means he gets into a better college, that makes him a better player that allows him to play in the NBA and make money, ISN'T THAT WHAT LIFES ABOUT?
This isn't coddling, its like you or I changing jobs because one sucks. Coddling would be the kid breaks the law and isn't punished. These stupid athletic laws are all political based and don't address the fundamental issue. Corruption and greed. Where the kid wants to play should not be the issue. Coaches, alumni, school districts providing illegal benefits that are not otherwise afforded other students, that's illegal. If a private school wants to give the kid free tuition, room and board, and a part time gig that pays well, that's on them.
The fact is that great athletes bring in the money and all these half-assed policies are set in place to protect ONE THING only. The institution. The athlete doesn't see a penny, and are used as the pawn in the bigger picture. That's my issue. That's what rubs me. If amateur sports were so altruistic then why are coaches of big programs at the high school and college level so well taken care of?
How can bigger programs afford amazing facilities and survive off the money that the sports bring in? These laws (and this covers the NCAA too) is only to protect the individual schools from making sure they can capitalize of an athlete and get as much cheese as they can before he/she moves on. It is not about "fairness" and "equality" its about M.O.N.E.Y.
Show me one adult who hates their job and a better alternative comes up and they don't take it because it isn't "fair". Why do life's rules not apply to athletics? Because it's all about the cheese and the athlete is the cheesemaker.
[/end rant]