[BostonCard]

Redrum...

Re: the plus/minus system...

My posts blasting the AD at UC always generate pluses and while my criticisms of LSJU always generate minuses.  That tells me more about the people who are "plus/minusing" than it does about the quality of the posts.  In other words, the system is not really serving its intended purpose (at least, I don't think so).

By the way, you might be interested to know that I posted this same topic at BI and received a total of two responses, both critical of my opinion and supportive of Shaw.  This tells me that college sports fans of both schools are unwilling to face the coming storm.  And, of course, it also tells me that I can always count on a more robust discussion of controversial topics here. 

P.S.  Putin sends his regards.....

I up voted your post... just because.

Let's face it, an up vote can mean a lot of things.  It can be a nod of agreement (what you are experiencing); it can be approval of a pithy one-liner; it can be a way to acknowledge a poster's thoughtful post even whilst disagreeing with them (unfortunately too rare).  But (and I don't really need to tell you this), the system is hardly worth the electrons it is sent on.  I'm sure your self-worth and willingness to post your views is not affected a lick by the expected up/down voting.  Hell, you might even wear your down votes as a badge of honor at BI.

As for your main point... I am all for student-athlete welfare, including health and disability benefits (especially for contact sports) that extend beyond athlete's playing days, greater rights (for example, guaranteed four year scholarships, transfers without penalty, etc.) and protections for students.  But I still believe in the idea of student athletes: someone who is a student first and an athlete second.  Such a person ought to be a student primarily and an athlete in their "spare time", not an employee/athlete.

BC

[BostonCard]

Redrum...

Re: the plus/minus system...

My posts blasting the AD at UC always generate pluses and while my criticisms of LSJU always generate minuses.  That tells me more about the people who are "plus/minusing" than it does about the quality of the posts.  In other words, the system is not really serving its intended purpose (at least, I don't think so).

By the way, you might be interested to know that I posted this same topic at BI and received a total of two responses, both critical of my opinion and supportive of Shaw.  This tells me that college sports fans of both schools are unwilling to face the coming storm.  And, of course, it also tells me that I can always count on a more robust discussion of controversial topics here. 

P.S.  Putin sends his regards.....

I up voted your post... just because.

Let's face it, an up vote can mean a lot of things.  It can be a nod of agreement (what you are experiencing); it can be approval of a pithy one-liner; it can be a way to acknowledge a poster's thoughtful post even whilst disagreeing with them (unfortunately too rare).  But (and I don't really need to tell you this), the system is hardly worth the electrons it is sent on.  I'm sure your self-worth and willingness to post your views is not affected a lick by the expected up/down voting.  Hell, you might even wear your down votes as a badge of honor at BI.

As for your main point... I am all for student-athlete welfare, including health and disability benefits (especially for contact sports) that extend beyond athlete's playing days, greater rights (for example, guaranteed four year scholarships, transfers without penalty, etc.) and protections for students.  But I still believe in the idea of student athletes: someone who is a student first and an athlete second.  Such a person ought to be a student primarily and an athlete in their "spare time", not an employee/athlete.

BC