[teejers1]

As a former NCAA athlete I would like to have been given a stipend even though I played in a non-scholie D2 program. Our meal money on the road was $2 per day. So I have sympathy.

The athlete problem is acerbated by the individuality of the member NCAA institutions. I just can't see Stanford going as far as a school like Alabama where football is SO much more important. We played because it was fun and with a tiny chance of being drafted. My offer was a flat $500 for what amounted to Class D for a three month season plus a 12 year old used car owned by the scout. LOL.

I actually think that club sports and intramurals are enough for a serious university student, especially with all the future implications of brain injury in football. Time for the NFL to pony up for a true development league for those who want to risk the dangers of traumatic injury later in life.

Yes, I agree with this.  It's unfortunate I can't express that opinion without someone indirectly claiming or implying I am a racist for having the viewpoint the main focus of college should be academic education

Exactly.
But then again, dropping the race card often is the desperate move of those without further argument.  It often is the nuclear option . . . and . . . well . . . there you have it.

The sad thing (for me, anyway) is that I'm being persuaded more and more by the "no scholarships at all" camp for colleges.  Club and intramural sports should suffice for the mission of institutions of higher education.

But in all events, the NFL should most definitely pony up and fund their own, separate Development League.  I don't understand why anyone would oppose forcing that option (or at least trying to).

[teejers1]

As a former NCAA athlete I would like to have been given a stipend even though I played in a non-scholie D2 program. Our meal money on the road was $2 per day. So I have sympathy.

The athlete problem is acerbated by the individuality of the member NCAA institutions. I just can't see Stanford going as far as a school like Alabama where football is SO much more important. We played because it was fun and with a tiny chance of being drafted. My offer was a flat $500 for what amounted to Class D for a three month season plus a 12 year old used car owned by the scout. LOL.

I actually think that club sports and intramurals are enough for a serious university student, especially with all the future implications of brain injury in football. Time for the NFL to pony up for a true development league for those who want to risk the dangers of traumatic injury later in life.

Yes, I agree with this.  It's unfortunate I can't express that opinion without someone indirectly claiming or implying I am a racist for having the viewpoint the main focus of college should be academic education

Exactly.
But then again, dropping the race card often is the desperate move of those without further argument.  It often is the nuclear option . . . and . . . well . . . there you have it.

The sad thing (for me, anyway) is that I'm being persuaded more and more by the "no scholarships at all" camp for colleges.  Club and intramural sports should suffice for the mission of institutions of higher education.

But in all events, the NFL should most definitely pony up and fund their own, separate Development League.  I don't understand why anyone would oppose forcing that option (or at least trying to).