Winning is important, but when did getting ‘an honest education’ go out of style?
In 1974, a young basketball player graduated from Petersburg High School in Virginia. Choosing to enter the ABA Draft instead of attending the University of Maryland, Moses Malone signed a five-year contract with the Utah Stars for $1 million. The third-round pick played professional basketball for twenty more years in ABA and then the NBA.
In 1974, a million dollars was a lot of money, and I remember arguing with fans about Malone’s pass on attending college and obtaining a degree. My take was that he could earn a degree later. Others felt that earning a degree now was the better option.
Moses Malone was unique in the true sense of that word—he was one of a kind. He went from high school to the pros, and few players in any sport–then or now– can make that kind of jump. But how many players are as special as Malone?
The reason I’m bringing this up now is because a recent NCAA decision brought it back to mind. The NCAA dismissed recommendations made by two NCAA panels and decided that it, too, should ‘follow the money.’ How so? The oversight organization bought the argument made by the University of North Carolina that the NCAA has no jurisdiction over academics, including whether players are taking ‘real courses.’ That’s a matter for the schools only. How sad! UNC was engaged in the most egregious misrepresentation of academics in the history of college athletes.
“The Division I Presidential Forum (of the NCAA), said most member schools weren’t enthused about giving the NCAA that kind of authority over academics,” was cited as the reason for making the recent decision.
It’s hard to imagine that collegiate academic integrity has fallen so low.
Yes, many youngsters dream of playing college and pro ball, and there is nothing wrong with dreaming. There is nothing wrong with working toward a goal, either. But if a high school senior is admitted to a college or university on the primary grounds of athletic ability, then that school is also bound to see that a youngster receives an education of value. Furthermore, that child’s parents should be asking serious and probing questions about class and degree requirements.
Former NCAA hoops star, Antonio Smith, inspects an abandoned home where he spent last winter (photo, Lansing State Journal)
It bothers me enormously that we’ve gotten to the point that we don’t automatically connect winning games with quality education. Winning is important, but when did getting ‘an honest education’ go out of style?
College should be a time for exploring and expanding life. Sometimes that experience includes athletics. However, no parent should allow their child to become a commodity ‘used’ by the NCAA or any of its member institutions. Sadly, though, it happens in D-1 sports.
For proof, examine the basketball schedule at your major school. Examine the amount of travel required. Then consider what it means in terms of the integrity of the education that players receive.
How can he or she be in class, at the library, or in a study group and also participate in a three-to-four day tournament at the same time? Missed time cannot be made up. It is lost.
It’s a bet. A bet that the player places his or her chips on being the next Moses Malone. But most aren’t, though, and will never be. If these student-athletes don’t get a quality education, what then? Most won’t have the non-athletic skills necessary for life away from sports.
