KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2010 / SPORTS
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QUOTE OF THE DAY
"The critic is one who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing"
FACT OF THE DAY
Along with Xavier Henry, the Memphis Grizzlies have yet to sign Grivis Vasquez, the 28th pick in the NBA draft. Last season, they signed their first-round picks to 120 percent of the rookie salary without incentives.
Trivial
TRIVIA OF THE DAY
Q: What freshman led Kansas in scoring before Xavier Henry?
A: Brandon Rush in 2005-06
Kansas Athletics
College athletes shouldn't see paydays
MORNING BREW
The ongoing and never-ending argument over whether or not collegiate athletes should be paid leads to no definitive answer. I haven't heard an idea (or come up with one myself) that warrants anything close to a second thought. After all, I like to think watching Hard Knocks on HBO this year and Googling "Darrelle Revis contract holdout" has made me into somewhat of a pundit myself.
After all my extensive research, there's only one logical answer: it can't be done. Why? It won't work. There's not a single way you can justify it. And there are three big reasons why.
1) NEGOTIATING 101
Imagine that, in fact, college athletes do get paid. Contracts would replace letters of intent and picking an agent would be just as important as picking a school. If a freshman outplayed the "contract" he signed out of high school, it would open the door for negotiations exclusive to professional sports. If we started paying athletes in college, the business of it all would rival the importance of college, the reason why these teams exist in the first place.
Think about it: if you really want to turn it into a business (which is what paying these athletes would amount to), wouldn't a holdout be inevitable in college?
"Sorry coach, but I'm not going to Western Civ unless I get a bonus." Ridiculous? Not in that world.
2) HISTORY IS AGAINST IT
For now, the only compensation student athletes receive for their services is a scholarship.
Right?
The likes of Dez Bryant, Reggie Bush and LeBron James have felt the repercussions of toeing the line between amateur and professional. The culture we live in
today isn't conducive for such a change as paying an 18-year-old more than his or her tuition. There is no precedent for the kind of radical transition the NCAA would have to make in terms of regulation of and punishment regarding paying student athletes. The government's interest in changing the college football postseason format should tell you how much the NCAA likes to change.
3) AT WHAT COST?
Big-time athletic programs such as Kansas basketball, Florida football and the likes make a staggering amount of money for their schools. Ticket sales, concessions and other legitimate businesses thrive on the support fans give to their teams. And for now, the universities have their say in where that money goes after its made. And simply put, there just isn't enough left to give to the athletes. That means the money allocated by the university would have to include athlete's wages, taking away from another university program. Entire institutions would have to re-format their budget to adjust to a decision based on one part of that institution? That won't happen. Then
what? Private donations are out, not in this economy. I know I'm not okay with more expensive tickets so these guys and girls get paid. Not after Northern Iowa.
It's not even a question of how much money to pay them, however. It's a question of whether or not the NCAA wants to open its doors to even more scandals, sanctions and wrongdoing. John Callipari is just one example of the corruption that can infiltrate college sports, and there are already too many like him. Introducing student-athletes into the business side of sports leaves college sports vulnerable in too many ways.
BASKETBALL
ESPN College GameDay makes its return to Fieldhouse to host rivalry
BY TIM DWYER
tdwyer@kansan.com
Kansas' coaches playfully mocked ESPN's College GameDay crew for choosing Bramlage Coliseum over Allen Fieldhouse in a Late Night in the Phog skit last season. They probably never saw it, but the popular preview show will rectify the perceived slight, coming to Lawrence for a record fourth time in the seven-year history of
the show.
ESPN will broadcast the Jan. 29 contest between Kansas and in-state rival Kansas State, coincidentally on the 150th anniversary of the state.
Last year's Sunflower Showdown at Bramlage was an instant classic, with the Jayhawks edging the Wildcats 81-79 in overtime.
"This is a great way to showcase the KU program and the Big 12 in what will be a big celebration for our state," coach Bil Self said.
Self said he's excited to show off Allen Fieldhouse's renovations, which will be new to the GameDay crew since they last visited the Fieldhouse two years ago.
— Edited by Leslie Kinsman
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The Braves were shut out over the final six innings. Atlanta chased Colorado starter Esmil Rogers with two outs in the second inning, tagging him for seven runs and eight hits.
Heyward tripled with one out in the first to start a three-run burst.
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Prado doubled and drove in three runs and Jason Heyward tripled, doubled and scored twice.
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hit a two-run triple in the fifth.
Seth Smith hit an RBI double in the sixth. Peter Moylan relieved and walked Iannetta before giving up a pinch-hit, two-run double to Ryan Spillorghs.
Colorado pulled within 10-8 with successive three-run innings in the fifth and sixth. Fowler
DENVER — Maybe early in the season, Colorado manager Jim Tracy pulls his starters and puts in a pitcher for mop-up duty. Not now, not with the Rockies trying to stay in the playoff race.
Brian McCann matched his career best with four hits. Martin
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Colorado surprises Atlanta
With one out in the eighth and the Rockies trailing 10-8, reliever Jonny Venters walked Chris Iannetta and Melvin Mora singled. One out later, Dexter Fowler walked and Gonzalez singled. Kyle Farnsworth relieved, and Troy Tulowitzki and Helton delivered their hits. Matt Belisle picked up the win.
Down 10-1 in the third inning, the Rockies did everything they could to come back, stunning the Atlanta Braves 12-10 Wednesday. The Rockies finished off a three-game
sweep and won their fourth straight overall.
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