[Mick]

My enthusiasm for collegiate sports has diminished greatly over the years. I knew an athlete in high school who played nine years in MLB, he was our QB/PG/Catcher for the three main sports. In college, I attended classes with the athletes on our teams. I knew them, socialized with them and was excited for their successes and for the few who made it into pro sports.

I really enjoyed watching Elway, Margerum, Lofton, Nelson, etc. and those memories are fond. I know it's a different world now, and the derogatory term that sports reporters use ("I don't root for laundry") keeps jumping into my head. In the age of NIL and the transfer portal, all we do as spectators is root for what amounts to minor league teams.

It amazes me that the 40 year decision doesn't appear to hold as much water as it once did. I know so many 50- and 60-year olds who regret not attending a better school. I realize it's difficult for a 17 year old to have that perspective, but your life doesn't end after age 22 or after your (likely brief) pro career.

I'll still root hard for the men's volleyball team and the football team, and I'm still a fan of both basketball teams and the track teams, and I like it when Stanford wins the Director's Cup. But the current age, and the mentality that NIL/transfer portal creates among young student ATHLETES is just sad to me.

And you kids stay off my lawn...

[Mick]

My enthusiasm for collegiate sports has diminished greatly over the years. I knew an athlete in high school who played nine years in MLB, he was our QB/PG/Catcher for the three main sports. In college, I attended classes with the athletes on our teams. I knew them, socialized with them and was excited for their successes and for the few who made it into pro sports.

I really enjoyed watching Elway, Margerum, Lofton, Nelson, etc. and those memories are fond. I know it's a different world now, and the derogatory term that sports reporters use ("I don't root for laundry") keeps jumping into my head. In the age of NIL and the transfer portal, all we do as spectators is root for what amounts to minor league teams.

It amazes me that the 40 year decision doesn't appear to hold as much water as it once did. I know so many 50- and 60-year olds who regret not attending a better school. I realize it's difficult for a 17 year old to have that perspective, but your life doesn't end after age 22 or after your (likely brief) pro career.

I'll still root hard for the men's volleyball team and the football team, and I'm still a fan of both basketball teams and the track teams, and I like it when Stanford wins the Director's Cup. But the current age, and the mentality that NIL/transfer portal creates among young student ATHLETES is just sad to me.

And you kids stay off my lawn...