(Note: WFNY doesn’t have a singular editorial voice. Today we will obviously have a lot of Ohio State posts as it is such big news. Remember that each writer’s opinion is their own.)
Excellent pieces already today from Andrew and Craig. There isn’t much left to say.
I think my stance on the Tressel situation is pretty clear. I believe he did the right thing by tendering his resignation. He allowed players he knew would be ineligible according to NCAA rules to play last season. And he tried to cover it up. That is the ‘unpardonable sin’ in college athletics.
But here’s the ridiculous part of the Tressel story- the idea that paying these college athletes would somehow put an end to the greed and keep the players content enough to stay away from those that would pay them for their signatures.
Yes, the system is flawed. But can you name me a major sports system that isn’t? How’s the NFL system working out? Pretty well for the owners I’d say. How about for the fans? Maybe not so much. How about the NBA? How’s that system working out? Or Major League Baseball?
A good number of us have been broke college kids. Do I sympathize with them? Sure. Was I an elite college athlete while going through school? Of course not. I did participate in a school-sponsored activity that required many hours of my time every week, including weekend travel which took time away from studying and my ability to work a side job. We received a small scholarship for our participation. But it certainly didn’t cover all expenses, and I could have made more money for myself working in a restaurant on the weekends. But I loved what I was doing. Wouldn’t change it.
I ate a lot of plain rice and cup ‘o noodles during that time. It was cheap. And here is the point of that side story- I was content in my circumstance.
The argument that these college athletes should be paid in order that they don’t seek to break these NCAA rules is ridiculous. It’s ridiculous because money never solves a greed problem. And yes, this is a greed issue.
You can be broke, and be content. These players were not starving. These players had places to sleep. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs anyone? Has there ever been a case where a student athlete sold something or accepted money because his family didn’t have these basics? Very likely, but those I am betting are not the majority of cases. Certainly not in this case though.
The NCAA can’t pay these athletes enough to ensure that they don’t want a nicer car, or shinier toys. There isn’t enough money to go around. Not to mention, they really can’t pay just the football and men’s basketball players either. You know, the money making sports. Good luck trying to get that passed. And they certainly can’t allow the universities to pay whatever they want for stars. Bidding war anyone?
So would an extra couple hundred dollars a quarter have helped save Jim Tressel from this situation? You are crazy if you think so. These players are at a prestigious university, earning a degree to help advance their position in life. They can strive to improve their life circumstances without breaking the rules governing the system. If they can’t be content in that circumstance, a couple hundred dollars here and there is not the answer.
