..do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.
...do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway,and put our useless junk in the garage.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
The Christmas School Break
Traditionally schools and colleges take a two + week break during the Christmas holiday season. This gives us all the opportunity to be with family even when that means travel.
In recent years, the "bowl season" has mushroomed to over 30 games, most of them dull and mediocre. Thank you television, mostly ESPN. By the time the BCS national championship game finally began, many of us could care less. Rah, two days before we had the opportunity to see Middle Tennessee State play Miami of Ohio. I'm sure that was a must-see for millions of fans. I was not one of them.
Playing in a bowl game with 6 losses during the regular season is mediocre and shameful. But a way to add four weeks to a school's spring practice routine. Who cares?
Charlie, aka Bill Cherry, spent 8 of those days in a local hospital finally having an ICD (pacemaker) implant. The old heart went crazy from all those exciting bowl games. Got up to 160/minute at rest. Medication did not correct this, so the ICD seemed to be the solution. So I now have this battery and instrument implanted just under the skin on the left side of my chest with tiny wires running all through my heart. If my heart gets crazy again, the ICD will shock it back to normal - I hope.
Just too much excitement from all those wanna be's. I sincerely hope ESPN lost money. If over half of the BCS membership plays in a bowl game, then what honor is in that? There once was a time when only the elite of each season were rewarded with a bowl bid. Now a team has to be really, really bad if they aren't in a bowl game.
It would be hard to take the present bowl system and turn it into a playoff system. Too much money and too much television investment in the present bowl season. Though the time (weeks) between the end of the regular season and the championship game could accommodate a 32-team playoff.
In recent years, the "bowl season" has mushroomed to over 30 games, most of them dull and mediocre. Thank you television, mostly ESPN. By the time the BCS national championship game finally began, many of us could care less. Rah, two days before we had the opportunity to see Middle Tennessee State play Miami of Ohio. I'm sure that was a must-see for millions of fans. I was not one of them.
Playing in a bowl game with 6 losses during the regular season is mediocre and shameful. But a way to add four weeks to a school's spring practice routine. Who cares?
Charlie, aka Bill Cherry, spent 8 of those days in a local hospital finally having an ICD (pacemaker) implant. The old heart went crazy from all those exciting bowl games. Got up to 160/minute at rest. Medication did not correct this, so the ICD seemed to be the solution. So I now have this battery and instrument implanted just under the skin on the left side of my chest with tiny wires running all through my heart. If my heart gets crazy again, the ICD will shock it back to normal - I hope.
Just too much excitement from all those wanna be's. I sincerely hope ESPN lost money. If over half of the BCS membership plays in a bowl game, then what honor is in that? There once was a time when only the elite of each season were rewarded with a bowl bid. Now a team has to be really, really bad if they aren't in a bowl game.
It would be hard to take the present bowl system and turn it into a playoff system. Too much money and too much television investment in the present bowl season. Though the time (weeks) between the end of the regular season and the championship game could accommodate a 32-team playoff.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Andy Rooney and Prayer- CBS 60 Minutes
Andy Rooney says:
I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin , but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his Theory of Evolution.
Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.
But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue.
Yes, and this is the United States of America and Canada , countries founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect -- somebody chanting Hare Krishna?
If I went to a football game in Jerusalem , I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.
If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad , I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.
If I went to a ping pong match in China , I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.
And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit.
When in Rome ......
But what about the atheists? Is another argument.
What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humour us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!
Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.
Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep.Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.
God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me.
The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want. It is time that the majority rules! It's time we tell them, "You don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honour Him. That is your right, and we will honour your right; but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!"
God bless us one and all...Especially those who denounce Him, God bless America and Canada , despite all our faults, We are still the greatest nation of all. God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God.
Let's make 2011 the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions. And our military forces come home from all the wars.
Keep looking up.
Nice job, Andy. Thanks to someone with some common sense and intelligence.
I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin , but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his Theory of Evolution.
Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.
But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue.
Yes, and this is the United States of America and Canada , countries founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect -- somebody chanting Hare Krishna?
If I went to a football game in Jerusalem , I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.
If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad , I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.
If I went to a ping pong match in China , I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.
And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit.
When in Rome ......
But what about the atheists? Is another argument.
What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humour us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!
Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.
Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep.Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.
God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me.
The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want. It is time that the majority rules! It's time we tell them, "You don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honour Him. That is your right, and we will honour your right; but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!"
God bless us one and all...Especially those who denounce Him, God bless America and Canada , despite all our faults, We are still the greatest nation of all. God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God.
Let's make 2011 the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions. And our military forces come home from all the wars.
Keep looking up.
Nice job, Andy. Thanks to someone with some common sense and intelligence.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
BCS - Big Cash Scheme
As we settle-in to cheer on our favorite college football teams this bowl season, it's important to remember that an undisputed consolidation of power and money -- the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) -- controls which schools play in the major bowl games and National Championship game.
The BCS operates independently from, and without accountability to, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It is controlled by commissioners from the six major college football ''power conferences'' (also referred to as ''BCS conferences'') plus the Athletic Director of the independent Notre Dame. This arrangement is agreed to, reluctantly, by the commissioners of the remaining five ''mid-major'' conferences (also referred to as ''non-BCS conferences'' because they do not receive automatic bids to the BCS bowl games as do the others).
The BCS is responsible for concentrating the wealth that comes from the major post-season events (Fiesta, Orange, Rose and Sugar bowls, and the National Championship game) among the schools in conferences with BCS influence, and leaving the other Division I-A, non-BCS schools at a competitive, financial and recruiting disadvantage. It's like telling nearly half of your members that they are not welcome at the club and are not eligible for the benefits that membership provides.
According to Brent Schrotenboer of the San Diego Union-Tribune: ''The six major conference commissioners have gained increasing power in the past 10 years and have turned it into television deals worth more than $110 million per year. They broker their power by representing their member school presidents and negotiating with bowls and television networks on their behalf. This year, they will distribute the vast portion of $210 million in bowl payouts to their members.''
The biggest area of controversy with the BCS system is unquestionably the disputed method for deciding a national champion. For starters, since the creation of the BCS in 1998, the convoluted mix of polls and computers to decide what schools should be appointed to play in the title game has succeeded only twice without controversy.
But no system could succeed that has to ''decide'' among schools with equal records and valid claims of inclusion when only two spots are available. And no system could succeed that leaves such a remote chance for a non-BCS school to compete for the championship, even with a perfect record.
Excluding deserving teams and student-athletes from the chance to compete also amounts to consumer fraud for the fans. Such matters should be resolved on the field like every other NCAA sport and every other football division, all of which have tournaments to determine a national champion.
The shrinking number of BCS defenders say the system preserves the tradition of the bowl games. But first, there's no reason why bowl games can not thrive either outside or within a tournament structure. Secondly, what tradition is left? Traditional match-ups are gone, as is the traditional New Years Day schedule, and the games have been commercialized to the point of destroying the bowl game experience and tradition for schools, student-athletes and fans.
Finally, bowl games are private businesses that should have no right, in partnership with the BCS, to prevent college football from a fair method of determining a national champion.
Those attempting to preserve the BCS, like the presidents of schools that make up the six BCS conferences and enjoy the BCS payouts, also say a playoff could mean less time for players to concentrate on classes and point to concerns that education would be sacrificed for money. But the BCS is influenced by persons and entities without respect to the interests of student-athletes or educational missions.
Where was the worry from presidents for student-athletes when they recently signed-off on an additional regular season game for every team, or when some conferences added a championship game, or when the presidents agree to allow more and more games every year on weekdays during the academic calendar, all to showcase their conferences and enjoy the television payouts? How do these developments give student-athletes more time for classes and exams?
Scale all these events back for the 124 Div. I-A schools, and add a national tournament for, say, the best 16-teams (including a few of the very best from traditionally overlooked conferences), and there would be far fewer games played overall. This would leave increased study time for all but the top 8-to-16 teams, depending on whether they currently play a conference championship. (Somehow this issue does not come up during the NCAA Basketball Tournament).
Whatever the changes or replacements to the failed BCS, the NCAA needs to take control of Div. I-A college football in the interest of all member institutions, their student-athletes, alumni and fans. There should never be so much power in the hands of so few without accountability as the BCS demonstrates each year.
The BCS operates independently from, and without accountability to, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It is controlled by commissioners from the six major college football ''power conferences'' (also referred to as ''BCS conferences'') plus the Athletic Director of the independent Notre Dame. This arrangement is agreed to, reluctantly, by the commissioners of the remaining five ''mid-major'' conferences (also referred to as ''non-BCS conferences'' because they do not receive automatic bids to the BCS bowl games as do the others).
The BCS is responsible for concentrating the wealth that comes from the major post-season events (Fiesta, Orange, Rose and Sugar bowls, and the National Championship game) among the schools in conferences with BCS influence, and leaving the other Division I-A, non-BCS schools at a competitive, financial and recruiting disadvantage. It's like telling nearly half of your members that they are not welcome at the club and are not eligible for the benefits that membership provides.
According to Brent Schrotenboer of the San Diego Union-Tribune: ''The six major conference commissioners have gained increasing power in the past 10 years and have turned it into television deals worth more than $110 million per year. They broker their power by representing their member school presidents and negotiating with bowls and television networks on their behalf. This year, they will distribute the vast portion of $210 million in bowl payouts to their members.''
The biggest area of controversy with the BCS system is unquestionably the disputed method for deciding a national champion. For starters, since the creation of the BCS in 1998, the convoluted mix of polls and computers to decide what schools should be appointed to play in the title game has succeeded only twice without controversy.
But no system could succeed that has to ''decide'' among schools with equal records and valid claims of inclusion when only two spots are available. And no system could succeed that leaves such a remote chance for a non-BCS school to compete for the championship, even with a perfect record.
Excluding deserving teams and student-athletes from the chance to compete also amounts to consumer fraud for the fans. Such matters should be resolved on the field like every other NCAA sport and every other football division, all of which have tournaments to determine a national champion.
The shrinking number of BCS defenders say the system preserves the tradition of the bowl games. But first, there's no reason why bowl games can not thrive either outside or within a tournament structure. Secondly, what tradition is left? Traditional match-ups are gone, as is the traditional New Years Day schedule, and the games have been commercialized to the point of destroying the bowl game experience and tradition for schools, student-athletes and fans.
Finally, bowl games are private businesses that should have no right, in partnership with the BCS, to prevent college football from a fair method of determining a national champion.
Those attempting to preserve the BCS, like the presidents of schools that make up the six BCS conferences and enjoy the BCS payouts, also say a playoff could mean less time for players to concentrate on classes and point to concerns that education would be sacrificed for money. But the BCS is influenced by persons and entities without respect to the interests of student-athletes or educational missions.
Where was the worry from presidents for student-athletes when they recently signed-off on an additional regular season game for every team, or when some conferences added a championship game, or when the presidents agree to allow more and more games every year on weekdays during the academic calendar, all to showcase their conferences and enjoy the television payouts? How do these developments give student-athletes more time for classes and exams?
Scale all these events back for the 124 Div. I-A schools, and add a national tournament for, say, the best 16-teams (including a few of the very best from traditionally overlooked conferences), and there would be far fewer games played overall. This would leave increased study time for all but the top 8-to-16 teams, depending on whether they currently play a conference championship. (Somehow this issue does not come up during the NCAA Basketball Tournament).
Whatever the changes or replacements to the failed BCS, the NCAA needs to take control of Div. I-A college football in the interest of all member institutions, their student-athletes, alumni and fans. There should never be so much power in the hands of so few without accountability as the BCS demonstrates each year.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
You may have seen this. Hopefully it has gone to Millions
WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT TO TURN ON THE TV AND HEAR ANY U.S. PRESIDENT, DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, GIVE THE FOLLOWING SPEECH?
'My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraqi regime has been completed.
Since Congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete.
This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq . This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning.
Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraqi conflict. This list is short . The United Kingdom , Spain , Bulgaria , Australia , and Poland are some of the countries listed there.
The other list contains every one not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.
Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war. THEN EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER, It'll GO TO OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM SO IT WONT GO BROKE IN 20 YEARS.
The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.
Need help with a famine ? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France .
In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth.
Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France or maybe China .
I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, and Russia . Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well.
I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York.
Mexico is on List 2. It's president and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple thousand extra tanks and infantry divisions sitting around now. Guess where I am going to put 'em? Yep, border security.
Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty - starting now.
We are tired of the one-way highway. Immediately, we'll be drilling for oil in Alaska -which will take care of this country's oil needs for decades to come. If you're an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there.
It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, 'darn tootin.'
Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America . It is time to eliminate homelessness in America . To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thank you guys. We owe you and we won't forget.
To the nations on List 2, a final thought : You might want to learn to speak Arabic.
God bless America .. Thank you and good night.'
If you can read this in English, thank a soldier.
'My Fellow Americans: As you all know, the defeat of the Iraqi regime has been completed.
Since Congress does not want to spend any more money on this war, our mission in Iraq is complete.
This morning I gave the order for a complete removal of all American forces from Iraq . This action will be complete within 30 days. It is now time to begin the reckoning.
Before me, I have two lists. One list contains the names of countries which have stood by our side during the Iraqi conflict. This list is short . The United Kingdom , Spain , Bulgaria , Australia , and Poland are some of the countries listed there.
The other list contains every one not on the first list. Most of the world's nations are on that list. My press secretary will be distributing copies of both lists later this evening.
Let me start by saying that effective immediately, foreign aid to those nations on List 2 ceases indefinitely. The money saved during the first year alone will pretty much pay for the costs of the Iraqi war. THEN EVERY YEAR THEREAFTER, It'll GO TO OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM SO IT WONT GO BROKE IN 20 YEARS.
The American people are no longer going to pour money into third world Hell holes and watch those government leaders grow fat on corruption.
Need help with a famine ? Wrestling with an epidemic? Call France .
In the future, together with Congress, I will work to redirect this money toward solving the vexing social problems we still have at home. On that note, a word to terrorist organizations. Screw with us and we will hunt you down and eliminate you and all your friends from the face of the earth.
Thirsting for a gutsy country to terrorize? Try France or maybe China .
I am ordering the immediate severing of diplomatic relations with France, and Russia . Thanks for all your help, comrades. We are retiring from NATO as well.
I have instructed the Mayor of New York City to begin towing the many UN diplomatic vehicles located in Manhattan with more than two unpaid parking tickets to sites where those vehicles will be stripped, shredded and crushed. I don't care about whatever treaty pertains to this. You creeps have tens of thousands of unpaid tickets. Pay those tickets tomorrow or watch your precious Benzes, Beamers and limos be turned over to some of the finest chop shops in the world. I love New York.
Mexico is on List 2. It's president and his entire corrupt government really need an attitude adjustment. I will have a couple thousand extra tanks and infantry divisions sitting around now. Guess where I am going to put 'em? Yep, border security.
Oh, by the way, the United States is abrogating the NAFTA treaty - starting now.
We are tired of the one-way highway. Immediately, we'll be drilling for oil in Alaska -which will take care of this country's oil needs for decades to come. If you're an environmentalist who opposes this decision, I refer you to List 2 above: pick a country and move there.
It is time for America to focus on its own welfare and its own citizens. Some will accuse us of isolationism. I answer them by saying, 'darn tootin.'
Nearly a century of trying to help folks live a decent life around the world has only earned us the undying enmity of just about everyone on the planet. It is time to eliminate hunger in America . It is time to eliminate homelessness in America . To the nations on List 1, a final thought. Thank you guys. We owe you and we won't forget.
To the nations on List 2, a final thought : You might want to learn to speak Arabic.
God bless America .. Thank you and good night.'
If you can read this in English, thank a soldier.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Sports Agents: Bloodsuckers or Do-gooders?
NCAA, NFL and other officials working to slow the unscrupulous activities of "rogue" agents in football are close to handing down recommendations that would really make a difference, according to NCAA official, Rachel Newman Baker.
College football coaches are asking the NFL players association and state attorney generals to hit wayward agents with tougher penalties.
In recent months, NCAA investigations and player suspensions and dismissals have touched major college football programs. Top North Carolina player, Marvin Austin, was dismissed from the team for his dealings with an agent.
College players who deal with smooth-talking agents not only put their college careers in jeopardy, but also the good standing of the team and school they play for, and do the agents really care? Ultimately all they want is the student-athlete's name on their dotted line.
The athlete wants the money the agent can provide and the agent wants to negotiate said athlete's professional contract - for a sizable fee. Agents do provide a service to athletes. In many cases the athlete may earn a college degree while playing Saturday gladiator for Goober U. Sadly, all too often Goober U. did not prepare the athlete to earn gainful employment outside of his sport. You're done playing. Here is your mickey mouse Goober degree - bye!
One would guess that professional sport contracts are pretty complicated, and a good lawyer/agent does provide guidance and some protection for the athlete - for a handsome fee. Thus professional sport salaries have become obscene. The higher the salary, the higher the agent's percentage of that salary.
One would see why an agent would want to get a contract with a sure-fire-to-make-it pro athlete as early as possible. There is money to be made so why not slip the athlete some up-front funds in order to get his name on the dotted line? A really big-timer would be worth the risk.
The powers that be should make it very painful for the agent who works outside the guidelines. At the very least, the NFL should suspend all dealings with an agent who has caused an athlete to lose college eligibility.
College football coaches are asking the NFL players association and state attorney generals to hit wayward agents with tougher penalties.
In recent months, NCAA investigations and player suspensions and dismissals have touched major college football programs. Top North Carolina player, Marvin Austin, was dismissed from the team for his dealings with an agent.
College players who deal with smooth-talking agents not only put their college careers in jeopardy, but also the good standing of the team and school they play for, and do the agents really care? Ultimately all they want is the student-athlete's name on their dotted line.
The athlete wants the money the agent can provide and the agent wants to negotiate said athlete's professional contract - for a sizable fee. Agents do provide a service to athletes. In many cases the athlete may earn a college degree while playing Saturday gladiator for Goober U. Sadly, all too often Goober U. did not prepare the athlete to earn gainful employment outside of his sport. You're done playing. Here is your mickey mouse Goober degree - bye!
One would guess that professional sport contracts are pretty complicated, and a good lawyer/agent does provide guidance and some protection for the athlete - for a handsome fee. Thus professional sport salaries have become obscene. The higher the salary, the higher the agent's percentage of that salary.
One would see why an agent would want to get a contract with a sure-fire-to-make-it pro athlete as early as possible. There is money to be made so why not slip the athlete some up-front funds in order to get his name on the dotted line? A really big-timer would be worth the risk.
The powers that be should make it very painful for the agent who works outside the guidelines. At the very least, the NFL should suspend all dealings with an agent who has caused an athlete to lose college eligibility.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Ivy League, Part 3
At present the six power conferences and television pretty much control college football. Even though not all schools in these conferences are operating in the black, all of the biggest budgets are here. This means some programs can be extravagant if not down right arrogant. If the present trend continues, where will it all end?
What if some sort of common sense was forced upon everyone? For instance, what if each FBS program was reduced to 65 or 70 football scholarships instead of the present 85? Eighty-five scholarships represent four offensive and four defensive teams per squad as an example. Or three deep at each position and 19 redshirts. Is that much depth really necessary?
What if all Division I programs (FBS and FCS) were allowed 70 scholarships? The Ohio State-Michigan game will still draw over 100,000 and a national television audience and schools will save 15 scholarships, which could be a considerable saving. Or give those 15 scholarships to say, softball or baseball.
This would mean that Appalachian State has as many scholarships as Michigan. Whoa! Michigan sure isn’t for that simply because they are Michigan, even though Appalachian State (63 scholarships) defeated the Big Blue in the Big House in 2008. Villanova has as many as the University of Pittsburg. Whoa! The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has the same as UT Knoxville. That will never happen.
But what if every school in DI had a 70 scholarship limit, it is still a level playing field. If everyone has the same, then no one has an advantage. Funding tuition, room and board, tutoring services, books and materials, and other support services requires a lot less for 70 athletes than 85. And it will not make a difference to those 100,000 spectators mentioned above.
The budget for athletics at Ivy League schools is a part of the overall operating budget of each school. There are no separate athletic “corporations” like those that operate at most of the power conference schools. Funding Ivy programs does not require tens of millions in athletic-related revenue. Ivy League athletics is for the students who are interested in competing and operates as an educational program of the school. Team members are real student-athletes, taking real courses, earning real degrees.
There are no athletic scholarships in the Ivy League, but there is need-based financial aid. A bright, but poor (I think the politically correct term is economically disadvantaged) student from Tennessee can qualify for full tuition at Yale. Theoretically Yale could have 100 football players receiving financial aid. But if an athlete’s parents are wealthy, they pay the full tuition. Why wouldn’t this work for everyone? Think of the money to be saved by schools struggling to build or maintain competitive programs.
What if some sort of common sense was forced upon everyone? For instance, what if each FBS program was reduced to 65 or 70 football scholarships instead of the present 85? Eighty-five scholarships represent four offensive and four defensive teams per squad as an example. Or three deep at each position and 19 redshirts. Is that much depth really necessary?
What if all Division I programs (FBS and FCS) were allowed 70 scholarships? The Ohio State-Michigan game will still draw over 100,000 and a national television audience and schools will save 15 scholarships, which could be a considerable saving. Or give those 15 scholarships to say, softball or baseball.
This would mean that Appalachian State has as many scholarships as Michigan. Whoa! Michigan sure isn’t for that simply because they are Michigan, even though Appalachian State (63 scholarships) defeated the Big Blue in the Big House in 2008. Villanova has as many as the University of Pittsburg. Whoa! The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has the same as UT Knoxville. That will never happen.
But what if every school in DI had a 70 scholarship limit, it is still a level playing field. If everyone has the same, then no one has an advantage. Funding tuition, room and board, tutoring services, books and materials, and other support services requires a lot less for 70 athletes than 85. And it will not make a difference to those 100,000 spectators mentioned above.
The budget for athletics at Ivy League schools is a part of the overall operating budget of each school. There are no separate athletic “corporations” like those that operate at most of the power conference schools. Funding Ivy programs does not require tens of millions in athletic-related revenue. Ivy League athletics is for the students who are interested in competing and operates as an educational program of the school. Team members are real student-athletes, taking real courses, earning real degrees.
There are no athletic scholarships in the Ivy League, but there is need-based financial aid. A bright, but poor (I think the politically correct term is economically disadvantaged) student from Tennessee can qualify for full tuition at Yale. Theoretically Yale could have 100 football players receiving financial aid. But if an athlete’s parents are wealthy, they pay the full tuition. Why wouldn’t this work for everyone? Think of the money to be saved by schools struggling to build or maintain competitive programs.
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