06-15-2022, 10:14 AM
Taking GR’s hypothetical one more step….suppose the student spent 10 years as a star in the NBA and retired because he wanted to go to law school (Bill Walton was at SLS when I was). Should he be able to play? What if John McEnroe or Tiger Woods wanted to come back to finish their degree (if they havent)…should they be able to compete?
I think sports are different than being in the band because as ca245 notes, maintaining competitive balance is important.
There is also something undesirable to me about using “ringers”. They seem to be in a different place in life than the rest of the students…they arent still trying to prove themselves. The purpose of school is to teach (including athletics), but they dont seem to need teaching.
Im not sure I have an issue with GR’s specific hypothetical, but at some point the line is crossed. And its not really about age for me. Id certainly let someone play who joined the military out of school and spent 4 or more years serving before going to college.
I think sports are different than being in the band because as ca245 notes, maintaining competitive balance is important.
There is also something undesirable to me about using “ringers”. They seem to be in a different place in life than the rest of the students…they arent still trying to prove themselves. The purpose of school is to teach (including athletics), but they dont seem to need teaching.
Im not sure I have an issue with GR’s specific hypothetical, but at some point the line is crossed. And its not really about age for me. Id certainly let someone play who joined the military out of school and spent 4 or more years serving before going to college.