NCAA MEANS Not Competent At All

Brief history of National Collegiate Athletic Association http://bit.ly/aS2JuO


OK The title is not fair but I'm going on perception , not reality.

The governing body of Intercollegiate Schools is a have institution that discriminates against the have nots of the world. Not big on using bold. I feel the words should speak for themselves. If they cannot grab your attention just because of their usage then the writer needs to make some corrections. I'll make a grudging exception in this instance.

I do not believe the NCAA is discriminatory against race, creed, religion or orientation. It spends its' time ensuring the less financial capable are put into compromising situations. Institutions of higher learning are no longer, if they truly ever were, edifices for the financially sufficient. "Scholar-Athletes" and students arrive at these edifices by virtue of loans, scholarships and grants both partial and full; dent of incredible sacrifice from loved ones and the student themselves. Many others are there on a financial wing and a prayer. To be clear not all athletes have full scholarships or any scholarship at all. Further a scholarship only covers room, board and books.Can't buy a pair of dress shoes, a corsage or KFC "Double Down" with scholarship money, now can we?.

So I will move to my point. The NCAA believes parents, loved ones or "Papa Smurf" is providing money for the many other "wants" of the "scholar-athlete". It must believe this because its' rules prohibit these young men or women from taking any monetary hand out from anyone other than family.

To whit:
....  The current NCAA Regulations go(sic), as followed(sic) student-athletes cannot:
Agree to have their pictures or names used to promote a commercial product;
Accept benefits such as gifts, meals, and loans of cars or money, as offered by athletic interest groups (e.g., alumni or booster organizations) or anyone within the athletics program of the University;
Be presented by an agent or organization in order to market their athletic skills or reputation;
Receive any benefit this is not available to other students at the University. ...
 http://bit.ly/9BLkdB  Should NCAA prohibit college student-athletes from receiving financial gifts?

Contrary to popular belief "scholar-athletes can earn up to $2000.00 dollars a year.  http://bit.ly/9dLyzW   NCAA Rules & Regulations by Aaron Reynolds's

Well there you go. Theses student's have $2000.00 dollars they can earn and, the fall back would be family, friends and loved one. Not..so...fast... my friend. During the season, after, practice, weight work, school work and necessary obligations working is not always an easy option and many kids are have nots. Yes I bolded again to stay consistent. These "scholar-athletes" don't have any money or means of access to money and neither do family, friends or loved ones. "Scholar-athletes" that are haves, (last one I promise), have no problem with these regulations.

For most "scholar-athletes" working is also not an option during the off-season because there truly isn't one. Coaches have conditioning programs, regimens, camps and leagues that these individuals are "encouraged" to follow and join. Can it be done? Can the individual earn some cash? Of course it is possible. Realistically it is neither probable or feasible.There are not enough hours in the day during the season. The off-season seems to never exist.

I'm not going to give the number, regarding how much an hour $2000.00 a year would be. Not my point. Not going to belabor the oft cited fact that the schools receive hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the sport. Not going to belabor the  fact that the coaches, depending on the sport also earn a good penny. None of these are my point. My point is the NCAA discriminates against the students that have little. If allows them to toil for the school but will not allow them to benefit to the preponderance of that toil. "Scholar athletes" are special. They are in special circumstances and have special difficulties.

Paying them, for me, is never an option. They, after all, do get room, board and an education, if they wish to attain it. They are also "seen" as special on campus. However, a fund needs to be set aside for these young men and women, so they can buy the necessities of life such as toothpaste and non-necessities such as corsages for the prom and yes, an occasional KFC "Double Down". I actually think a different league should be set aside called a College Semi-Pro league as well but that is another blog.

So the NCAA, which punishes schools when bolsters or coaches or friends give cars, or tickets, or money or dinner or "place your benefit" in this spot, is an 800 pound gorilla, which acts, when individuals perform in natural ways.I don't dismiss the fact, that, if a "scholar-athlete" goes to a school because of a special gift then yes punish the school. Once the "scholar-athlete" is at the school, however, set the limit on a "stipend" with a voucher check geared, if deemed prudent, to a specific store. Specifically if there is food that is needed, the weekly stipend is given, with perhaps, as mentioned, the store stamped on the check. There should be a clothes stipend and yes a special activity stipend. In short, I say continue to ensure that special gifts, such as cars or apartments, are not part of the circumstances but allow the normal practices of life to be met.

Follow me if you would? Each scholar-athlete has a specific stipend amount per year for food, clothes and special activities. It is portioned out for the year in a set amount, and that amount or frequency cannot be changed. The only exception is the special activities portion of the stipend. "You" can request some or all of this "special" stipend and when it's gone, it's gone. This stipend will be considered part of the scholarship and the same  maximum and minimum amounts will be set for all schools.

Of course some other group or institution other than the NCAA needs to set these amounts. It seems it, has a "have" and "have not" issue.

NOTE: Division II and III are different issues. If a sport does not provide scholarships but grants other means must be provided to meet these special circumstances.

NOTE: scholar-athlete (student-athlete as it is more commonly known) is in quotes because it is an oxymoron in many cases.

NOTE: Special gift is an obvious circumvention of accepted rules of parity and farness such as an apartment, a house, monies that are far and above a normal rate of pay as well as a no show job etc.