> > Universities should be allowed either to pay their athletes without any > average non-athlete). Limits placed on athletic "scholarships" (which > really are wages for services rendered) appear to me to be restrictions > on free trade. > > Let's call a grant a grant, and a salary a salary. > > As old subscribers to this list know, I believe that need-based grants > are more in keeping with the spirit of intercollegiate athletics. > > Luiz F. Valente > OK, Folks. Let's have a little reality-check here. I know the Rick Telanders of the world claim we're exploiting the student-athlete. Now let's here the other side of the story. A scholarship, athletic, academic or whatever, enables a student-athlete to get a free education. In the case of college hockey, the student-athlete has other options (i.e. Major Junior). Nobody is dragging the student-athlete to their school and telling them they have no other option. This MAY NOT be true with football or basketball, but the bottom line is: It costs a LOT more than just the scholarship money to put a student-athlete through school and 90% of athletic departments (yes, even the Big Ten, Big East and the like) run in the red or close to it. As an athletic administrator, I can tell you that this is NOT because we're out there spending money with no regard. Most athletic departments are the first to be cut and the last to have their budget supplemented. Let me point out again, that it costs more than a scholarship for each student-athlete. Coaches' salaries, equipment costs (yikes!), ice time, travel (try that one on for size; most college hockey schools are rather isolated) and various other factors jump the cost for each student-athlete per year dramatically. You had better be selling 4000 or more tickets per night, Brian Holzinger or not, to cover your costs. NO we should NOT pay student-athletes. UNLESS they are going to cover some of these incidentals. Give them an education and pay? Then we're just major junior hockey. Most of these kids DO use their education. Persistence rates for student-athletes, as well as average GPA, are FAR above the average student body. I would suggest checking with the folks in Kansas on this. They compile those statistics every year. At LSSU, Anthony Palumbo came to school in 1985 looking to build a pro hockey career. He is from Soo, Ontario, and was well aware of his opportunities in major junior. However, he opted for an education as well. When he was done, the Rangers offered him a meager contract. He said no and came back to get his master's degree. He is now a successful banker in Sault Ste. Marie. His background as a Laker hockey player helped him in the community and his dedication to education helped him earn a job. The opportunity is presented to each student-athlete, but it's up to him/her to take advantage of it. A student-athlete should not be looked down upon or penalized for leaving school if the deal is right. The problem there is greedy agents (only some) and kids with stars in their eyes. The best advice to a kid contemplating an early department: one-way, guaranteed contract. That kid will be able to come back and finish school when they're ready. In the mean time, why not make the top salary they can make, while they can make it? And by no means should we pay student-athletes. You want to stop some of the corruption with big-time athletics? Find me a backer and let's start a major junior basketball or football league. You will see the problem solve itself! S. Monaghan Assistant Athletic Director Lake Superior State University