Enough is Enough: Time to Recognize College Players For What They Actually Are
With the alleged Michigan NCAA violations , in which they practiced more than they're supposed to, it's time for a frank discussion on the state of athlete-students in college sports. Academics is rarely a priority. For some players, who know they have no future in pro sports, academics can be a priority. And there are some who enjoy school. But for a majority of players, football (or basketball) is a priority. Getting to the pros is a priority. In college basketball, it's mostly "one and done". In football, the best players leave after three years. So this is what I propose: First, instead of skirting around the issue, be clear about it. Athletes are athletes first, students second. Second, they should get paid. For the money they raise for the school, it's the least they could do. It wouldn't be much, and nothing near what you get in the pros, but maybe on par to a minor league baseball salary. Third, real-life classes. Classes are not a priority. But let's make the ones they do take valuable. Things like basic math, finance, balancing a checkbook, things they'll need when they go off into the pros. If we pretend that athletes are going to class, and if we pretend that school is a priority, we're just fooling ourselves. So enough is enough. Let's recognize college players for what they actually are: athletes who happen to go to class. Collegiate sports will be a whole lot better.
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This Guy Deserves a New Scholarship
Jarvis Varnado, a junior forward from Mississippi State, is a special player. He led the Bulldogs to a SEC tournament title, and an NCAA Tournament berth. He's led the nation in blocked shots the past two years. He's also a special person. Varnado is giving up his scholarship so that Mississippi State can carry an extra scholarship player. You are allowed 14 scholarship players. They had 15. Varnado has decided to pay his way.
"We had discussed it with coach (Rick) Stansbury and he let us know that if Jarvis put his name in the draft, and he had a chance to get Renardo Sidney ... we'll take out a loan so he can come back to school," Winston Varnado, the coach at West Point High School, said.
He'll be taking out a loan to pay the $5,151 it costs as an in-state student. This selfless act is one rarely seen. Varnado is truly a team player. I only hope that this gets more attention. A star player giving up his scholarship for the betterment of the team. Truly outstanding. Varnado deserves a new scholarship. He'll have earned it.
Awesome Wooden Commercial
Gatorade has been putting up some pretty good commercials lately. This one is with John Wooden:
Very well done. Not sure about the outfit, John.
Calipari to Kentucky
It's official: John Calipari is going to Kentucky.All I can say is good luck. Kentucky basketball is the top of the college basketball mountain. It takes a special person to win there. Billy Gillepsie couldn't do it. He was regarded as a good hire. It should be interesting. Calipari left a peachy job with Memphis, to take a demanding one in UK. We'll see. If Jodie Meeks stays, that should help. I'll look forward to the Calipari/Pitino recruiting battles. It should be fun.
Dicky V Being Dicky V
I'm not sure if this is crazy, insane, hilarious, enjoyable or all of the above. Well, see for yourself:
You gotta love him
Some Random Notes
I have been awful at posting. Really, truly awful. It's abysmal. I've been so busy that blogging has taken a back seat. That should change in about a week.
Wasn't that Nova-Pitt game spectacular? It had it all. Lead changes, back and forth, stellar individual performances, great finish. Villanova is a really dangerous team, who could win it all. They might struggle against Blake Griffin and Oklahoma, but I think they could beat any other team. Speaking of Mr. Griffin, he's a monster. Plain and simple, he's not from this planet. Oh, I do like UNC and Louisville today. Griffin doesn't guard Ty Lawson, and that is the difference. The 'Ville is the most complete team in the tournament, although UCONN has been playing well so far.
I came across this video today:
Obama’s Bracket
Like him or not, it's still pretty cool that our President knows so much about sports. Here's the video of him picking his bracket:
I like the UNC pick, and he seems pretty confident in it too. Here's my bracket. Feel free to discuss.
The Madness is Beginning!
For the first time in a while, I am truly torn about who I am going to pick in this year's tournament. UNC? Louisville? Pitt? Memphis? I genuinely don't have an idea. Still haven't filled out my bracket. I think, and this is subject to a lot of changes, that the Final Four will be UNC, Louisville, Pitt, and Memphis. But the only 'lock' is UNC. Louisville could struggle against Wake Forest and Michigan State. Pitt will struggle against 'Nova. And Memphis will have a lot to handle with UCONN. I do think UNC is going to win. They would be Louisville in my estimation. But it could change. And that's what makes the tournament so great.
Selection Sunday
Can you believe it? Tomorrow is Selection Sunday. It seemed so far away, but it's less than a day away. And to be perfectly honest, I have no idea who I am going to pick as my National Champion. No idea. Sure the brackets have to be released, and there are match ups to be analyzed. But, usually I have a good idea of who I am going to pick in my bracket to win the whole thing. I have no idea this year. UNC? UCONN? Pitt? Louisville? Memphis? I have no idea. Trust me, I will be deliberating a lot. Come back to The Blog of Champions tomorrow for bracket coverage. Should be fun!
