On Tue May 19, Arthur Berman wrote:
----------
> George said that most students are 25 and under.  This may be (usually is)
> true but the rule still discriminates against those over 25 who are denied
> full access to what the university offers if they don't have the option of
> participating in varsity sports.
>
 
Robb's response to this is much more comprehensive than mine; I just wanted to add that I'm not really sure that "discrimination" applies here. I tend to think of it in terms similar to high school. While there are students older than 18 taking night classes to earn a GED, they are not allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities.
 
An interesting sidebar to all this (as well as to Arthur's other point, about paying the athletes) is the lawsuit the NC$$ just lost. "Restricted earnings" assistant coaches recently won a $67 million lawsuit against the NC$$ (who is probably going to appeal). One result, apparently, is the possibility of more lawsuits, covering such things as age restrictions, limits on # of games, and similar issues. According to SI (May 18), some of the larger schools (read: athletic powerhouses) are discussing either a major restructuring of the NC$$ or leaving it altogether. Like it or not, some of the issues Robb brings up could be coming in college sports.
 
George Downing
UNH '92
 
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