The Myth of the Student-Athlete

The New York Times has an excellent article about the state of ‘big time’ college athletics. The basic premise is that the ‘big-time’ programs should create their own professional league. I’ve had similar thoughts to this in the past. For example, there is really no need for a school like Lafayette College to be in the same NCAA Division as UCLA! The educational and athletic missions of those two institutions couldn’t differ more. Too disparate a comparison you say? OK, can someone explain to me why Vanderbilt and Auburn are in the same conference?? Let’s end the hypocrisy and recognize big time college athletics for what they are: Businesses. Hmm…so what does that make the “student-athletes”? Employees.

The thing that strikes a chord with me, however, is that despite all of the rhetoric from the schools about the athletes “opportunity to get an education”, the majority of these kids simply want to do the bare minimum so they can stay eligible and play. For the small number that actually values the education and wants to excel academically, the task they face is a daunting one. The amount of time consumed with practices, meetings, and film study in addition to their normal coursework is often too much to handle. Factor in that many of the athletes are coming to college woefully under prepared, and you have a recipe for failure or at best, mediocrity. Coaches and colleges know this, yet continue to mine the high schools for the next "difference maker".

Anyone who has spent time in or around a major collegiate athletic program knows what I'm talking about. The athletes are simply cogs in the machine. Two such machines will do battle this weekend at the Orange Bowl in Miami: The Miami Hurricanes vs. The Virginia Tech Hokies. The winner claims the ACC Championship, but more importantly, an invite to the Nokia Sugar Bowl with an estimated payout of (in your best Austin Powers voice) $14-$17 million dollars.

I guess that is why so many college programs don’t blink when they offer seven-figure compensation packages to prospective coaches.

I guess they think it’s just good business.