pay for play

Discussion in 'The Tiger's Den' started by col reb, Apr 20, 2004.

  1. col reb

    col reb Founding Member

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    I would like to hear some of your views on this. If a young man is a very talented qb and also a good student, he may be fortunate enough to receive a scholarship to LSU. Once he is on campus, we expect him to practice football, watch films in order to improve his performance, hit the weight room in order to tone up, learn the offensive/defensive system (not as easy as the average person thinks), give up every weekend during the season because the games are either at home or there is travel time, overcome injuries (hopefully in the sauna), attend classes, study, and be able to complete the course. Could we take a minute and remember that these are young men. They want to see their girlfriend every now and then just like the rest of the students. Maybe they come from a family like Eli's. He could afford to buy pizza for the team. But most come unable to do that. Still, he wants to be able to have a date, to go out for pizza or burgers, etc. Unless Mom and Dad can send money, how can he do that? Then think about how much money the school makes by selling those tickets!!!! Add the concessions. The parking prices. I say pay $1000 a month to these young men. If they want a car note of $400 a month, so be it. That plus the expenses the family and university pick up would allow him to have "date" money and enjoy the pleasures other students have. There is no way a student/athelete can hold a part time job or two. And if there comes a time where he is investigated for his expenditures, he better be able to show the difference came from dear ole mom and dad. If he violates this, he should be ineligible for the pros for two years and have to pay back all expenses incurred by the university upon his signing of his first pro contract.
     
  2. MALONE121212

    MALONE121212 Founding Member

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    I believe that an athlete should receive some type of monetary benefits. they do put in a 40 hour a week plus school. Especially all the money that certain sports make from players. Also should all sports be equal.
     
  3. tiger fan 2001

    tiger fan 2001 Founding Member

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    I am old school and don't see a need for this. Most of these kids are attending schools that they nor thier peers could afford to attend. They get special help for academics if needed. And have room on the SAT's that non athletes have.

    I know people that did not have time to date, afford to go to the gym, medical care and were driving junkers to make it through school when thier parents could not or would not pay the tuition and expenses.

    Life is rough and not always fair. They entered into an agreement that may set them up for the rest of thier life if they make the right decisions acadimically or athletically
    Besides that it is already going on and has been going on for a long time. I know several scholarship athletes that thier style of living changed when they got scholies to college. Why create a bigger animal that will turn on you later? JMO
     
  4. col reb

    col reb Founding Member

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    Really don't know how to answer that. Kind of like comparing Lawrence Welk to whoever the latest craze in rap is. I think all students should be supported to a certain degree. I also think they should be reasonable about it. How can you justify the expenses of say a rugby team, and trips to all the othe sec team sites? Just how much does a rugby team bring in monitarily? If this system keeps up, we may have a checker team demanding their fair share. I am 57 yrs old, but if they have a crawfish/beer drinking team, I want an equal shot at the team. Trying out would be fun.
     
  5. lsugrad00

    lsugrad00 Founding Member

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    Do you believe that every D1 school can afford to pay every student athlete $1000 per semester?

    Personally I don't. Look these guys can get loans and summer jobs like every other student out there. I understand that these player earn MEGA bucks for some universities, but I feel that if you can't pay everyone then you shouldn't pay anyone.
     
  6. col reb

    col reb Founding Member

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    I'm old school too. But when you and I entered into an agreement, we fullfilled the terms of that contract. Now days, the school invests 30/40k a year on your education. LOTS of these kids have ABSOLUTELY NO DESIRE to complete the education part. And who can blame them? Being an OM fan, we love all of the Manning family. But Peyton just signed a contract for something like 96 MILLION dollars. If your starting qb will be a jr/sr next year, and wants to leave--------------How can you blame him if he can get 3/5 million a yr for 3/5 years? How long would it take him to make that kind of money with a degree in criminal justice from LSU?
     
  7. HatcherTiger

    HatcherTiger Freedom Isn't Free

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    Life is all about choices. Chosing to participate in sports at the college level has a price. An athlete has to decide if the reward is worth the price. If a situation is ever reached where college athletes are officially "paid", they should play out their eligibility in exchange. However, I am not in favor of this.
     
  8. BB

    BB Founding Member

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    Being a football player at LSU requires a great deal of hard work, focus, commitment, etc, no question about it. But, let's think this through. I saw Rohan pay for a chicken breast in Winn-Dixie with a jar full of nickels and then drive away in a serious hooptie that looked like it would explode at any second (think Uncle Buck). On the other hand, Rohan, like many of the current LSU players, NEVER paid for a single meal at certain restaurants in Baton Rouge - spread your meals out over the course of a couple of weeks at several restaurants and you're eating quite well at the right price. LSU Football players also drink for free at certain bars in Baton Rouge - I would be a rich man if I had never paid for a drink in college. :grin: Also, their scholarships include meal plans at LSU dining facilities - not fine dining, but it's paid for. If the dining facility isn't your cup of tea, many athletes sell their dining cards for cash (this happens with all types of scholarships, not just athletes). As for academics, LSU athletes now have full access to the finest Athletic Academic Center in the nation. They have immediate access to counselors, they schedule before anyone else, their grades are monitored in order to make sure they get the assistance they need and they don't pay for text books. Tutors are available at no charge - I paid an Accounting tutor $25 / Hour. The weight rooms are top of the line and open all year round at no charge. They have access to conditioning coaches, doctors, trainers, dentists, nutrition experts, rehabilitation programs, surgeons, etc. They are given clothing and shoes at no charge. The Bowl Game gift bags are amazing and the rings are unbelievable. All this plus the celebrity status before, during and after their careers at LSU. We've heard the recruiting stories. These kids travel the country for free and play in some of the greatest stadiums in the world in front of millions. They play on National TV and they play in Tiger Stadium and wear that uniform. As for taking a girl on a date, please - these guys get offered ass every 10 minutes (and the date is optional). I'm not against giving the kids some money, they are helping make a lot of people's pockets fat, but I just thought I would discuss the other side. Either way, playing football at LSU, waking up early, working hard, being held to a high standard and HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR FREE sure beats hanging out in some town I've never heard of, getting into trouble and having no future - make no mistake, that is exactly what many of their childhood friends are doing right now...
     
  9. col reb

    col reb Founding Member

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    No! I don't think these atheletes should be paid $1000 a semester. I think they should be paid $1000 a MONTH. And before you call me sexist, I think you ought to know that I think this should be paid to the girls basketball team players, and perhaps the girls softball members. Gender should not be the determining factor. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ If your sport cost the university 200k a year, then your sport ought to be accountable for some percentage of that cost. Your coach (coaches) has to be paid, your equipment, travel expensives, schlorships, food, WHERE DOES IT END? True. We were all created equal. But after birth, you are ON YOUR OWN. Does an ugly girl have the same opportunities as one born of lovely face? Is a slender girl shunned for the overweight girl? Life is not always fair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  10. col reb

    col reb Founding Member

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    BB--------Thanks for the response. It gave me alot to think about. I just watched the movie "Babe" with John Goodman playing the part of Babe Ruth. I would probably have his attitude if I played at LSU. I just think they should all be treated the same from starting qb to the guy that we really should not have signed. I bet RO would have been recognized and treated to a free meal way before some of the other guys. And what is the other guy to do? Flash his ID and try to get free food? Might be embarrassing in front of the date!!
     

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