[pefloresjr]

It's funny that these high-achievers are being cast as entitled since they've had to bow to the system and succeed within the system for many years before rising to the status of Pac-12 scholarship football players.  These are guys who have paid their dues to get to where they are, and if they want to take an active role in the system that makes money off their athleticism, then more power to them.  I don't look at them like fungible cogs in the system.  These are living, breathing human beings who are more than just entertainment-producers for mass consumption.

Completely agree.  It is kind of shocking the way some folks on this board are treating these student athletes like they exist in the collegiate environment for no other reason than to provide entertainment and that they should shut up and be grateful.  That is the most entitled view I see in this situation.  Just because they are standing up for themselves and seeking to improve their position does not mean that they are spoiled brats.  It means they have learned something about what it means to join forces, listen to each other, and fight for improvements.  

I don't agree with many of their demands and there are many that I don't believe they will ever get.  However, I am glad they are getting together and pushing for improvements particularly in the healthcare area.  Are we really calling them brats when they want coverage for continuing health conditions for only six years after college?  I, for one, would make a special donation to the Buck Cardinal Club to support our student athletes' post college healthcare costs.  For me, the bottom line is that they should have a say in the way they are treated.  They aren't joining the military where they become GI assets.  They are college students.  

I went to Stanford on general financial aid and a special minority student scholarship.  When I was there, there was no First Gen./Low Income support program.  It would have helped improve my experience if there were.  If I had realized that such support was possible and started getting people together and advocating for those things, maybe even "boycotting" some classes, would that have made me an over-entitled brat?  I don't think so.  I think the minority scholarship issue is particularly relevant here because the student athletes in major college football are largely minority students.  

Please understand that I agree that many in the younger generations are overly entitled.  I just don't see any particular sense of that even in asking for an even split in revenues.  I wish most colleges really brought in student athletes who were within the normal admission range for other students because the athletes would be more likely to take advantage of the opportunities at the colleges.  At a minimum, colleges should provide programs that help bridge the achievement gap for their student athletes.  However, we all know that many colleges don't do that and really treat the athletes like paid entertainers.  Since that seems to be the main structure of the major money making male sports, it shouldn't be a surprise that those entertainers want to get more of their share.  

I don't really want to see student athletes paid, but I am trying to remain open-minded about ways to improve their experience.  That might include some payment that could go into a trust like child actors.  I know the college athletes aren't children but there may be ways to find compromise and solutions that don't involve eliminating college sports or forcing those who seek change out of college sports.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

It's funny that these high-achievers are being cast as entitled since they've had to bow to the system and succeed within the system for many years before rising to the status of Pac-12 scholarship football players.  These are guys who have paid their dues to get to where they are, and if they want to take an active role in the system that makes money off their athleticism, then more power to them.  I don't look at them like fungible cogs in the system.  These are living, breathing human beings who are more than just entertainment-producers for mass consumption.

Completely agree.  It is kind of shocking the way some folks on this board are treating these student athletes like they exist in the collegiate environment for no other reason than to provide entertainment and that they should shut up and be grateful.  That is the most entitled view I see in this situation.  Just because they are standing up for themselves and seeking to improve their position does not mean that they are spoiled brats.  It means they have learned something about what it means to join forces, listen to each other, and fight for improvements.  

I don't agree with many of their demands and there are many that I don't believe they will ever get.  However, I am glad they are getting together and pushing for improvements particularly in the healthcare area.  Are we really calling them brats when they want coverage for continuing health conditions for only six years after college?  I, for one, would make a special donation to the Buck Cardinal Club to support our student athletes' post college healthcare costs.  For me, the bottom line is that they should have a say in the way they are treated.  They aren't joining the military where they become GI assets.  They are college students.  

I went to Stanford on general financial aid and a special minority student scholarship.  When I was there, there was no First Gen./Low Income support program.  It would have helped improve my experience if there were.  If I had realized that such support was possible and started getting people together and advocating for those things, maybe even "boycotting" some classes, would that have made me an over-entitled brat?  I don't think so.  I think the minority scholarship issue is particularly relevant here because the student athletes in major college football are largely minority students.  

Please understand that I agree that many in the younger generations are overly entitled.  I just don't see any particular sense of that even in asking for an even split in revenues.  I wish most colleges really brought in student athletes who were within the normal admission range for other students because the athletes would be more likely to take advantage of the opportunities at the colleges.  At a minimum, colleges should provide programs that help bridge the achievement gap for their student athletes.  However, we all know that many colleges don't do that and really treat the athletes like paid entertainers.  Since that seems to be the main structure of the major money making male sports, it shouldn't be a surprise that those entertainers want to get more of their share.  

I don't really want to see student athletes paid, but I am trying to remain open-minded about ways to improve their experience.  That might include some payment that could go into a trust like child actors.  I know the college athletes aren't children but there may be ways to find compromise and solutions that don't involve eliminating college sports or forcing those who seek change out of college sports.  

Cheers,
Pete F.