Improper Benefits in the SEC

[RDU Irish]

I am a bit sympathetic to the program here, how is the university to know if they are receiving benefits from outside agents? You can see from the article the lengths they go to in order to get money to the kid. Do you monitor your athlete's bank statements? Do you require full access to their cell phones and computers so you can monitor texts in real time?

Plus you have so many players coming from families of limited means that the pressure to take benefits is huge. Half these kids don't want to play no school anyway, this is just tryout for the pros. Why not take a few bucks under the table and keep your mouth shut, especially when a former teammate is offering you the path to easy money.

For MOST players, they will not be NFL lottery picks and the payback is not probable, let alone certain. In the case of Fluker, it is only a matter of buying time until he is drafted very high. His age is the only thing keeping him from doing it a year earlier. How the hell do you keep that kid from selling out your program? You can really only hope that they don't get caught.

I am confused by the insurance policy, seems like there should be a way to pay for these things for people like Fluker (and Nix) who need the protection and don't have the family resources to foot the bill.

Gotta find some way to bring it back to the players. Can't you make them sign a contract that says they owe the university full tuition reimbursement if they compromised their amateur status? Coaches can tell kids what not to do until they are blue in the face but kids will still blow a .17 driving on campus, smoke dope in their dorm, beat their girlfriend or whatever. To me any solution has to come back to holding the kids accountable.

 

[Kak7304]

I am a bit sympathetic to the program here, how is the university to know if they are receiving benefits from outside agents? You can see from the article the lengths they go to in order to get money to the kid. Do you monitor your athlete's bank statements? Do you require full access to their cell phones and computers so you can monitor texts in real time?

Plus you have so many players coming from families of limited means that the pressure to take benefits is huge. Half these kids don't want to play no school anyway, this is just tryout for the pros. Why not take a few bucks under the table and keep your mouth shut, especially when a former teammate is offering you the path to easy money.

For MOST players, they will not be NFL lottery picks and the payback is not probable, let alone certain. In the case of Fluker, it is only a matter of buying time until he is drafted very high. His age is the only thing keeping him from doing it a year earlier. How the hell do you keep that kid from selling out your program? You can really only hope that they don't get caught.

I am confused by the insurance policy, seems like there should be a way to pay for these things for people like Fluker (and Nix) who need the protection and don't have the family resources to foot the bill.

Gotta find some way to bring it back to the players. Can't you make them sign a contract that says they owe the university full tuition reimbursement if they compromised their amateur status? Coaches can tell kids what not to do until they are blue in the face but kids will still blow a .17 driving on campus, smoke dope in their dorm, beat their girlfriend or whatever. To me any solution has to come back to holding the kids accountable.

Players usually don't pay for the insurance policy up front. They sign an agreement to fork over the bill when they sign their contract and get their NFL money. In one of the USC threads, Marquise Lee's insurance policy spawned a good discussion on this topic. I'd direct you to it but I don't remember where the conversation was exactly.

 

[NDohio]

I am a bit sympathetic to the program here, how is the university to know if they are receiving benefits from outside agents? You can see from the article the lengths they go to in order to get money to the kid. Do you monitor your athlete's bank statements? Do you require full access to their cell phones and computers so you can monitor texts in real time?

Plus you have so many players coming from families of limited means that the pressure to take benefits is huge. Half these kids don't want to play no school anyway, this is just tryout for the pros. Why not take a few bucks under the table and keep your mouth shut, especially when a former teammate is offering you the path to easy money.

For MOST players, they will not be NFL lottery picks and the payback is not probable, let alone certain. In the case of Fluker, it is only a matter of buying time until he is drafted very high. His age is the only thing keeping him from doing it a year earlier. How the hell do you keep that kid from selling out your program? You can really only hope that they don't get caught.

I am confused by the insurance policy, seems like there should be a way to pay for these things for people like Fluker (and Nix) who need the protection and don't have the family resources to foot the bill.

Gotta find some way to bring it back to the players. Can't you make them sign a contract that says they owe the university full tuition reimbursement if they compromised their amateur status? Coaches can tell kids what not to do until they are blue in the face but kids will still blow a .17 driving on campus, smoke dope in their dorm, beat their girlfriend or whatever. To me any solution has to come back to holding the kids accountable.

Yep, and that hardly ever happens. The kid is usually long gone by the time the crap hits the fan.

 

[koonja]

It was solely meant to draw the comparison to blanket statements... neither of which adds to the discussion at hand.

As far as being an idiot... I have taken the backhanded comments and some personal attacks with a tremendous amount of patience. It is an Irish board and some should be expected. If anyone has a problem or issue with me, please PM me and we can discuss. If the majority want me to leave the board for good then I will respect those wishes as well. I don't like conflict nor do I want to participate in name calling and ignorant fan talk. Thanks.

You shouldn't leave the board. Especially before the Bama/AM game! FWIW, and it's not much, but I think triple T has been an awesome poster and considering the amount of hate for Bama on this board, has been really respectful. He's better than any Michigan poster we've ever had.

And Bama, along with all other SEC school spare you Vanderbilt, may have laughable admission requirements for athletes, but I think that's where the finger pointing at Saban stops. I actually think running a clean program (again, spare academics) is important to him and he wouldn't let a player be above what he's built, and that's not the case across the rest of the SEC. I'd have no problem with Saban coaching at ND.

Just my two cents. Now someone tell me to 'keep it' lol.

 

[RDU Irish]

I've enjoyed the Bama boys posts as well. This thread is a freaking mine field for those guys and I suggest you just ignore the more inflammatory statements. Much like you will find half the country either loves OR hates ND, half the country quietly hates the SEC for cheating but quickly gets vocal and pissed when evidence is presented.

I still struggle with how coaches are supposed to keep these agents away from the players, BUT I don't doubt for a minute the information sessions on NCAA rules aren't largely tongue in cheek lessons on NOT GETTING CAUGHT. Without subpoena powers, how do you prove anything?

Couldn't we just have the NFL fund a paid developmental league for 18 - 21 year olds?

 

[Cackalacky]

I am serious about this. Let the NCAA go to a relegation/promotion system and implement youth academies with contracts and freedom to enter the NFL or develop their brand etc. End the stupid sponsor-driven bowls and all this pretentious crap would not be pretentious.

Have four or six regional divisions with different tiers in each division. Let the top tier teams play each other once every year maybe with a final playoff for the winners of the divisions. The bottom few teams are relegated to the lower tiers of their regional division.

Similarly the lower division teams play each other with playoffs and the top teams are promoted at the end of the year.

How awesome would it be to see teams like App State move up and perennial bottom feeders like Kentucky give way each year.

There would be no need to have rankings or AP polls or coaches polls and there would be no argument over who the best teams are.

 

[ickythump1225]

I've realized two things from reading this SI series:

1. Les Miles is a big time D-bag.

2. I'm proud to be ND. How many schools would suspend their starting QB for a semester for an academic issue? Or sit a starter (Tuitt) because he missed class? A felony won't keep you off the field if you play for Les Miles.

 

[Cackalacky]

I read today that the currently active UT player has been suspended barring an investigation into the allegations.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Improper Benefits in the SEC

A player's "insurance" should be a DEGREE that will help them get a JOB. What kind of loser blows their knee out, then spends the rest of their days living off an insurance claim? Don't answer that......

 

[Booslum31]

It was solely meant to draw the comparison to blanket statements... neither of which adds to the discussion at hand.

As far as being an idiot... I have taken the backhanded comments and some personal attacks with a tremendous amount of patience. It is an Irish board and some should be expected. If anyone has a problem or issue with me, please PM me and we can discuss. If the majority want me to leave the board for good then I will respect those wishes as well. I don't like conflict nor do I want to participate in name calling and ignorant fan talk. Thanks.

I think T Town is solid. I hang on every word of his posts looking for trollish behavior and have never been rewarded with a sniff. it's got to be hard for him to spend time in a thread with this name but he does it with class. He's usually on point and adds to the discussion. I think that it's refreshing to have supporters of other teams on IE, especially when they behave in such a thoughtful adult way. Don't know what spurred all of this but I think T Town is a great contributor. I just hate his team...which is nice.

 

[alaskandomer]

I think T Town is solid. I hang on every word of his posts looking for trollish behavior and have never been rewarded with a sniff. it's got to be hard for him to spend time in a thread with this name but he does it with class. He's usually on point and adds to the discussion. I think that it's refreshing to have supporters of other teams on IE, especially when they behave in such a thoughtful adult way. Don't know what spurred all of this but I think T Town is a great contributor. I just hate his team...which is nice.

Agree completely. T-Town has been nothing but classy.

 

[ThePiombino]

Agree completely. T-Town has been nothing but classy.

He's no ALLGATOR. I'll give him that much...

 

[Irish Insanity]

I don't believe I've had issue with either of the Bama fans (I think I may have given one **** along time ago for no reason besides the fact they were Bama fans) until the bringing up of the alleged rape of a young woman, and death of a young man, into this thread. I actually think they are great contributors to our board, even as opposing fans. I just didn't understand the need to bring that in, but then again, thats just me.

 

[PANDFAN]

Arian Foster admits in documentary he took money at Tennessee - College Football - SI.com

 

[wizards8507]

Arian Foster admits in documentary he took money at Tennessee - College Football - SI.com

In the course of a four-hour interview, Foster contrasted his dire financial straits at the University of Tennessee to the commerce surrounding the Volunteers football program. He also disclosed (see video, above) that he received money during his senior season.

How can a college student possibly be in "dire financial straits"? Room and board are free, and a part-time job is more than enough to pay for new Levis and beer money. I didn't have a penny when I was a student at ND outside of my on-campus job. Scholarships and loans paid for school, and I paid those loans back within two years of graduating. It wasn't that hard, and I didn't make MILLIONS of dollars upon graduation.

What a joke.

 

[Kanye West]

In the course of a four-hour interview, Foster contrasted his dire financial straits at the University of Tennessee to the commerce surrounding the Volunteers football program. He also disclosed (see video, above) that he received money during his senior season.

How can a college student possibly be in "dire financial straits"? Room and board are free, and a part-time job is more than enough to pay for new Levis and beer money. I didn't have a penny when I was a student at ND outside of my on-campus job. Scholarships and loans paid for school, and I paid those loans back within two years of graduating. It wasn't that hard, and I didn't make MILLIONS of dollars upon graduation.

What a joke.

Your family could be poor, and he might care for his family.

 

[wizards8507]

Your family could be poor, and he might care for his family.

My family WAS poor (hence my education being covered by loans and scholarships). I WORKED to get out of it, I didn't bitch about how the world was against me.

Next excuse?

 

[Kanye West]

My family WAS poor (hence my education being covered by loans and scholarships). I WORKED to get out of it, I didn't bitch about how the world was against me.

Next excuse?

Do you personally make millions of dollars for your university?

 

[Woneone]

Do you personally make millions of dollars for your university?

I work in software. Anything I write, even if it's the next facebook, is property of my employer. It could bring them BILLIONS. It doesn't matter.

They compensate me with an annual salary.

For as many people that people bitch about college football being a business, they don't seem to understand how business works.

 

[wizards8507]

Do you personally make millions of dollars for your university?

1. No single player "personally makes millions of dollars" for their university. Any player *that* good will have an NFL career and make his own millions.

2. Using your logic, a teeball hotdog stand should have to share its revenue with the six year olds or be accused of exploitation. Just because your scenario is bigger dollars, doesn't make the logic any different.

3. I went to school to be an accountant. I am now an accountant. I get paid for being an accountant. If a player goes to school so he can someday be an NFL player, he will get paid ONCE he becomes an NFL player.

 

[IrishLax]

I work in software. Anything I write, even if it's the next facebook, is property of my employer. It could bring them BILLIONS. It doesn't matter.

They compensate me with an annual salary.

For as many people that people bitch about college football being a business, they don't seem to understand how business works.

1. No single player "personally makes millions of dollars" for their university. Any player *that* good will have an NFL career and make his own millions.

2. Using your logic, a teeball hotdog stand should have to share its revenue with the six year olds or be accused of exploitation. Just because your scenario is bigger dollars, doesn't make the logic any different.

3. I went to school to be an accountant. I am now an accountant. I get paid for being an accountant. If a player goes to school so he can someday be an NFL player, he will get paid ONCE he becomes an NFL player.

These two posts. The end.

 

[Irish#1]

I have to give a persuasive speech (subject of my choice) for my final in December. I'm using this very subject on whether college athletes should be paid or not. There have been some great posts and insights posted in numerous threads that will help me immensely.

So which side of the argument am I on? I'm not telling. When it's finished, I might post it for some constructive criticism. Lord knows we have plenty of that around here! lol

 

[ACamp1900]

These two posts. The end.

This.

repped them both and would do so twice.

 

[Luckylucci]

Some great posts on here today. And have sent out reps to those.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

I have to give a persuasive speech (subject of my choice) for my final in December. I'm using this very subject on whether college athletes should be paid or not. There have been some great posts and insights posted in numerous threads that will help me immensely.

So which side of the argument am I on? I'm not telling. When it's finished, I might post it for some constructive criticism. Lord knows we have plenty of that around here! lol

There will be boatloads of information/ opinions to bring to that. I had a similar class in 2007 and really enjoyed it.

Try to remember for every Tim Tebow, Reggie Bush, Manti Te'o...there are three dozen Demetrius Jones, Tate Forcier, and Kyle Prater's that the school is giving these services to for free: academics, room and board, books, food, medical treatment, tutoring, etc.

 

[ickythump1225]

Do you personally make millions of dollars for your university?

I loathe this argument because without the university itself these players wouldn't have a platform to perform on anyway. As it is they ARE getting compensated, it's called a full ride scholarship into elite universities. I've listened to interviews from some of these players and seen how they speak and write, there's no way in hell they are getting into some of these universities sans football ability. These kids are given a free education and the ability to one day be drafted into the NFL.

It just speaks to the larger crappy "all about me" culture in this nation that I'm sick to death of. They are already getting into to colleges they wouldn't otherwise qualify for, for FREE and it's not enough. Even if they got paid it eventually wouldn't be enough. Before you know it's just the other NFL instead of STUDENT-athletes. Instead of appreciating the amazing opportunity they are already given and working hard for a future payday they want it now. Millions of Americans are drowning in student loans and the football kids are whining they aren't getting paid. It's the whole culture of entitlement that saturates our nation. It's definitely "Generation ME" shining through.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

I loathe this argument because without the university itself these players wouldn't have a platform to perform on anyway...

This, plus it's very, very unlikely that Arian Foster brought any more money to the school compared to his replacement which, under any concept of fairness, would all he would rightfully be "entitled" to.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I loathe this argument because without the university itself these players wouldn't have a platform to perform on anyway. As it is they ARE getting compensated, it's called a full ride scholarship into elite universities. I've listened to interviews from some of these players and seen how they speak and write, there's no way in hell they are getting into some of these universities sans football ability. These kids are given a free education and the ability to one day be drafted into the NFL.

This guy knows whats up

 

[aubeirish]

Why the hell does he talk about rent and food expenses? Wasn't he on a full ride?

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Improper Benefits in the SEC

He CHOSE to live off campus. He CHOSE to not have a comped meal plan the dorms would have provided. I don't blame him, upperclassmen living in dorms is creepy at most big public universities, but you reap what you sow.