College Athletes on tbh.com

[E.squared]

Just read through all of this. I went to a big D I school on a track scholarship. While there, was 5X All American, and have a bronze, silver, and a gold from the NCAA meet. I never received anything that I didnt work for, nor did anyone else that I was aware of. Granted track is not a headline, money producing sport, but I honestly think that the days of athletes having things handed to them are a thing of the past.

[mesquitecountry]

i'd agree that track athletes are lower on the totem pole on getting things for free. i'm not sure about all football programs but i think it happens. i dont know.


Where's orrbull??? He can give more insight on football programs.

[Bearkat36]

I am going to make a point or 2, but a debate on a website with athletes and non-athletes is absurd! Only college athletes know what it is like to play a sport AND be a student. That is why you are called a "student-athlete".

After playing for 2 division 1 baseball programs, Tech and Sam Houston, I can assure you that I earned every hour I took. As a matter of fact, 90% of the professors hated us and could care less who we were! I knew a lot of football players, and athletes from other sports, and maybe a small-small hand-full received "special" treatment with their grades and those guys are now playing professionally or on the streets or doing something else, but not like everyone talks about! Granted we had luxuries of little things such as free tutoring, access to laptops and such, but I still had to study my butt off and pray!

The bottom line is...........If you're not an ex-college athlete, don't have this argument, b/c you have no idea what you are talking about!

[texag93]

The bottom line is...........If you're not an ex-college athlete, don't have this argument, b/c you have no idea what you are talking about!

I didn't have to play to see what was going on. And I do know what I am talking about. Div. I baseball isn't a money generator for 90% of schools. Football and basketball are the ones I am talking about. Football and basketball fund the other athletic programs at most Div. I schools.

[jay]

I could see how some think that, but not all athletes are treated the same. I actually had to go to the dean one semester becasue I had a teacher who tried to fail me due to my absences. The only time I missed his class was for golf tournaments.

I played golf at Weatherford J.C. and Sam Houston while in school. Never was given any test answers before the test. Sure could have used them on some of those tests.

Jay

[pallen]

Texag93-

Since you have been "... exposed to the inter workings of "revenue generating" collegiate sports," and know so much about it, what percentage of athletes were given their grades?

Is this exposure to the "inter workings" a class you took with this LB?

[Dru]

I'm confused texag93, how does an athlete getting a free pass effect you. Has this linebaker returned to compete with you for a job? Is your diploma worth less since athletes didn't have to work for theirs?

What is your beef?

[jerp]

With all the NCAA crackdowns, things are different now and have been for a decade or more but there was a time when "free ride" could mean "free grades" too. Case in point - I was at OSU when the great Dexter Manley was playing. You may remember him from when he was testifying before a congressional committee on college athletics in 1989. He broke down crying, admitting that at age 30, he could not read or write. Got a 4 on his ACT, went to college for 4 years, got a degree - and was illiterate. You have to admire people who use their scholarship as an opportunity to earn a degree - it's alot of hard work - but only when they are held to the same standards as the rest of the students

[mesquitecountry]

i wish i could read page 1 at work. dang admin nazis put a curse word filter on so anytime a foul word i get denied. DANG nazis

[Mexico Hunter]

I played football at ETSU, now Texas A&M - Commerce. I tell people A&M wanted me so bad, they bought the school after I left.

Lots of good times between football and a frat. Now the good times are wife and daughter. Some things change for the better!

[westexasagent]

college/pro football

I played college football at Eastern New Mexico Univeristy. Then tried out for Cowboys in 1994 but was cut. I played some arena football here and there and Canadian Football for the Calgary Stampeders.

[zztex]

Played JC baseball on a full ride----no special treatment at all. I actually matured some and made better grades in college than high school.

[Ground Checkin' Heavies]

I don't think there is as much cheating and paying of athletes as there were in the 70s and 80s. The NCAA has put lots of pressure on universities, and it is very hard to get away with cheating nowadays.

Texag93,

You are starting to sound like some of my professors who hated athletes without every really knowing what they go through and give up to compete on the collegiate level. You are saying that "most" Division I football and basketball players get special treatment just because you witnessed one instance. I don't understand. College is what you make of it, no matter if you're an athlete or a regular student. If you don't go to class and take care of your work, you get nothing out of it, not even a degree.

[texag93]

Texag93-Since you have been "... exposed to the inter workings of "revenue generating" collegiate sports," and know so much about it, what percentage of athletes were given their grades? Is this exposure to the "inter workings" a class you took with this LB?

I am going off of what I personally saw while in school. I spent alot of time around the athletes off the field(mostly football), took classes with many of them. What percentage? What ever percentage needed the help.

I'm confused texag93, how does an athlete getting a free pass effect you. Has this linebaker returned to compete with you for a job? Is your diploma worth less since athletes didn't have to work for theirs?What is your beef?

The question was asked about athletes and being given special treatment. I am stating what I know as fact. Times have changed and programs are having to watch their athletes more than before. I keep seeing athletes state they were given no special treatment. I like to hear that because it hasn't always been that way. Most of the special treatment is given to the athletes at the top D1 schools in football and basketball. As for my beef, I payed for my college degree(me, myself and I) and these players are getting free rides. In the end, this player was given the same grade I busted my butt to get. Fair, no, reality, yes. Not all things in life are fair.

If you look at the best of the best in D1 basketball and football, some of these students can barely read and write but manage to stay eligible. Think they are making those grades on their own at a prestigious university? Again, not all athletes are given grades, some do it on their own. Good for them. College isn't easy. Athletics on top of that would be even harder.

[Burnadell]

Some of you guys may think texasag93 is blowing his observation out of proportion, but I have no doubt that what he observed happens regularly in the big moneyed programs. If you think those star athletes today are not getting favors, you are out of touch with reality. Most do not graduate, certain not in the normal 4-5 or even 6 years.

My point was simply that my university placed more emphasis on education (which may be why they couldn't compete with the nothing-matters-but-winning universities). I believe there are some schools that still try to teach principals, ethics and values over winning at all costs. Unfortunately college football is big (huge) business, and many have let their values and morals deteriorate just like corporate America. They think it is okay to teach their athletes that it is okay to cheat to achieve their goals...sad! It is all about money and greed, fueled by overly zealous fans who place too much emphasis on what..a game?

It is a great game; it's a shame it has morphed into much more. I think I have grown disillusioned, maybe? But I'm too old to care.

I forgot to include a picture from my college days: