March Madness Rant

Is it just me or has college basketball sold its soul. I just read an editorial on USA Sports today that debated whether '1 and Done' players should have their jersey's retired. For those of you who do not follow NCAA basketball, '1 and Done' refers to players recruited on a scholarship and then leave after their first year to go to the NBA. They don't even attend classes 2nd term and it's my guess they finish with zero credits.

So what do I consider wrong about this? A couple of things.

Why would you celebrate the career of a College drop out?
What don't they get about the concept of student athlete?
Why should these '1 and Done' players take the place of bona fide student athletes?
Do they even understand the meaning of bona fide?

There is a simple answer and that is the NCAA has sold its soul for the money that winning teams bring to their institution bottom lines.

There is the age old argument that players that stay the whole 4 years are taken advantage of because few of them make the NBA and therefore one can make the argument that the university is milking them for all they're worth.  The answer to that is 'not true' if they graduate. They get a free degree and at a place like Duke, that is worth at least a quarter of a million dollars. If they don't get a degree out of it and do not make the NBA then they have squandered the chance to get a degree.

So, how would I fix this sad situation where a great 'Programs' like Wisconsin and Gonzaga get beat out by the Kentucky's of the NCAA. BTW, it was great to see Connecticut win it all last year! It even encouraged a few '1 and Done' Wildcats to stay on for another year.

The fix is to award a scholarship to an incoming student athlete for 4 years. Tie it up for the full 4 years and if the player bolts for the NBA then that scholarship money is not available to a new recruit for another 3 years. When college coaches went recruiting they would then be looking for players who would stay the course, play at a high level, and show a little loyalty, and graduate.

A league for those athletes that do not want to put in the 4 years at college should be created. That is the way hockey players are developed in Canada. There is a junior league, where players up to the age of 21 hone their skills and get ready for the NHL draft. There is also a college/university league where student athletes also develop their skills and earn a degree. The NHL receives talent from both of these venues.

It is time to celebrate the student athlete, not to reward the '1 and Done's' by retiring their jersey!