Thursday, January 14, 2010

Someone Sign Me Up for the College Business

Ah yes college. Where boys become men and coaches get their asses paid.

College sports without a doubt can be called the biggest hypocrisy in America. What used to be known as a learning institution can now be called a “cash cow.” Sure, its old news, but I take a look at the whole infrastructure of the institutions for higher learning in the United States of America.

So come into my classroom, take a seat. Put your books down and grab a cold one, as professor Mike C is about to explain the class.

1-Remember school isn’t about education; it’s about getting into the NFL or NBA as quickly as possible.

Yes, I know. In the end, it’s all about making the Benjis, but I find it laughable that many of these schools talk about education. That’s why you will see teachers give passes to student athletes. You see freshman and sophomores leave school to go into sports. I believe that blame should fall on the sports organizations for allowing people to enter the draft early, but I don’t see schools doing anything to discourage this practice. People don’t care if they’re educated anymore. They want the money and the fame. The average career in the NFL, hence the saying NFL means “not for long.” Perhaps, learning some skills will do you some good because nothing gets promised to anyone in this life.

2- College sports=huge revenues for schools

So many schools have sponsorship deals, and with ESPN showcasing them, it’s a hard trend to ignore. The colleges make so much money on this stuff, and if you notice, certain schools are featured over others. Duke, North Carolina, and Kentucky are three schools you will always see on ESPN. I don’t like the idea of exploiting students for financial gain. Sure some of these kids love the fact they’re in the spotlight, but the whole thing makes me feel kind of dirty.

3-If you’re going to coach; do not proclaim loyalty to any school.

This enables you to find a way to make more money. When I think of school coaches, I think of people who went to the school, and want to make a difference in the growth process for many student athletes and build relationships. Not in the good old NCAA. Coach jump around to schools like there’s no tomorrow. At one time, you could associate certain coaches with schools. The only reason Bobby Knight ended up at Texas Tech had to do with someone making accusations and him losing his job. Many of the old school coaches are still with the same schools. Going back to Duke and NC, Mike K and Roy Williams. I see guys like John Calipari jump from school to school for more money, and Lane Kiffin and his magic act going from Volunteer to Trojan. And you see more and more of it. Remember the Brian Kelly episode? No loyalty in college sports? It’s a bunch of horseshit when you recruit kids to come to your school, only to leave for a better offer. I understand more money means motive. However, when you are playing with kids futures here, it’s not right.

4-Remember ND and SEC get preference.

If you want America to see you in action, join Norte Dame. I ask myself why in the hell is America subjected to this Norte Dame shit on a weekly basis? Team hasn’t won a bowl game in how long? There are better college games to showcase. CBS features the SEC on a regular basis. I understand the SEC can be considered the best conference, but many other conferences and college programs have something to offer as well.

5-You can make money joining a certain school.

Back to Knight, he asked why a coach goes through 3 different schools, and the two before him have recruitment violations. It seems to me, payoffs to join schools happen all the time, and the NCAA could do a better job of stopping it.

When it comes down to it, March Madness is my taste for college sports because its fun to watch. Everything else, well, gets an “F” from me.

M

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