Ralph Nader's Idea

[Mean Green 93-98]

http://www.cbssports.com/general/story/14853447/ralph-nader-calls-for-ending-athletic-scholarships

[drex]

Great idea...let's wipe out any chance for a bunch of kids to get a college education. If athletic scholarships go then let's get rid of music scholarships, merit scholarships and the whole concept. When a professional idiot Nader is.

[THOR]

i don't disagree with nader. athletes generally only help the country with entertainment value, whereas music, merit scholarships lead to other occupations which actually help out the community, be it teachers, researchers, etc. i would hate to see this happen, but it makes a bit of sense.

it's not just about kids getting an education, it's about kids helping out the community and making it better.

[FloMoGrad]

And educating members of our community who may not otherwaise have the means to attend college, that doesn't help out the community? Professional athletes generally only help the country with entertainment walue, but as the NCAA does such a great job of reminding us, the rest of the athletes that don't go pro, go on to become teachers, dr's, lawyers, business people. They add value to the community.

[NorthTexan95]

i don't disagree with nader. athletes generally only help the country with entertainment value, whereas music, merit scholarships lead to other occupations which actually help out the community, be it teachers, researchers, etc. i would hate to see this happen, but it makes a bit of sense.

it's not just about kids getting an education, it's about kids helping out the community and making it better.

You're kidding, right? The vast majority of college athletes on scholorships go on to earn college degrees and excell in many different professions ...including teachers, researchers, etc (have you not seen the NCAA commercials about this? ). When I was growing up my coaches in middle school and high school had a huge impact upon my life. I wouldn't who I am today without them. Where did they get their education to become coaches and teachers? Oh, yeah! College! Many of them attend college on athletic scholarships!

I agree with the poster above who said if you want to get rid of athletic scholarships you need to get rid of many other scholarships as well.

[GrayEagle]

Maybe we should not keep score and just give a participation trophy. That would dispel the "win at all costs" stigma.

While we're at it, let's just give a certificate of completion and do away with degree requirements. And, we could do away with college campuses and do everything online.

Ralph Nader is a joke. He has made numerous runs for president and gathered about as much support as the Socialist Party candidate. I'm embarrassed that the chose to call his party the Green Party.

[MeanMag]

athletes generally only help the country with entertainment value, whereas music lead to other occupations which actually help out the community

This is a bit to draw everyone offsides...

LOL?

[ValleyBoy]

Nader, a former presidential candidate, argued that his plan would also help reduce the "win-at-all-costs" mentality in high schools, by reducing the incentive of college scholarships.

I have to disagree with the above statement from Nader. The "win-at-all-costs" mentality in high schools has nothing to do with the number of players from that team that will receive college sports scholarships. First to even get a sports scholarship the player has to first be a good student. How many of us have seen kids play high school sport's that do not go to the next level because they just cannot make the grade. Most colleges can not afford to take the chance on the kids now because of the chance to lower there APR. If they have trouble making the grade in high school how will they make the grade in college.

Also most high school are not sports scholarship mills.

[GreenGuy123]

Athletic scholarships....why not? As long as academics come first.

Pay players....no!

[forevereagle]

Athletic scholarships....why not? As long as academics come first.

Pay players....no!

We already pay players, it's called an education.

[MeanGreenTeeth]

We already pay players, it's called an education.

As much money as schools like UT make off football I think you could make an argument that they should be paid. Let's not pretend that college football isn't a business (at least at the BCS level).

[Mean Green 93-98]

As much money as schools like UT make off football I think you could make an argument that they should be paid. Let's not pretend that college football isn't a business (at least at the BCS level).

If UT and similar schools were allowed to pay players, it would just increase the gap between us and them, because we could not complete, if we could afford to pay players at all on top of full scholarships. Actually, that would have to be the final straw leading to a new superdivision.

[KRAM1]

Again Ralph Nader opens his mouth and shows how stupid he really is about most things. I thought that guy had finally faded into the woodwork. You know he's saying something stupid by watching to see if his lips are moving. The guy is a joke!

[GreenAlums]

i don't disagree with nader. athletes generally only help the country with entertainment value, whereas music, merit scholarships lead to other occupations which actually help out the community, be it teachers, researchers, etc. i would hate to see this happen, but it makes a bit of sense.

it's not just about kids getting an education, it's about kids helping out the community and making it better.

Warren.....seriously???? Footbal coaches are teachers (gainfully employeed) and football players can turn in to teachers too. Athletes turn in to physical therapists, exercise physiologists and tons of other valuable American citizens that contribute. Even if they are entertainers as professionals there are jobs created for hot dog salesmen! The entire industry is part of the bigger machine of capitalism.

I've always diagreed with Nader!!!

Edited March 25, 2011 by GreenAlums

[MeanGreenTeeth]

If UT and similar schools were allowed to pay players, it would just increase the gap between us and them, because we could not complete, if we could afford to pay players at all on top of full scholarships. Actually, that would have to be the final straw leading to a new superdivision.

Probably.

[TWISMUNT]

What a jackass! I'm sure Nader never made the team or got picked last or something. I'm also sure when he wasn't paying his way through his Ivy league education he never took the time to notice what the life of a student athlete is really like. But instead of talking about how difficult it is to devote the majority of your time to a sport while maintaining a GPA to stay in school, lets state the obvious fact that a lot of people wouldn't be able to afford college and that is myself included. A lot of times a scholarship opens the door for young men and women to recieve an education that would otherwise not be available to them. It sucks that not everyone gets that shot, but I certainly dont want to hear any bitching from a guy that is just trying to ruffle feathers to keep his name in the paper since he will never get voted in to the white house.

[Travis]

I don't necessarily mind them exploring this. I would like to see all the options and alternatives before I rush to a decision. I would call the current system bad if there was a better one proposed.

[UNT90]

i don't disagree with nader. athletes generally only help the country with entertainment value, whereas music, merit scholarships lead to other occupations which actually help out the community, be it teachers, researchers, etc. i would hate to see this happen, but it makes a bit of sense.

it's not just about kids getting an education, it's about kids helping out the community and making it better.

I'll bite on your bit.

But, uh.... the only value of music in this society is entertainment. Kinda the same as athletics, don't ya think?