We all knew that change was in the wind for NCAA athletics. The existing situation in regards to student-athletes has been a glaring inequity for some years now. Only recently has national public attention been drawn to the issue.
With Mark Emmert and the NCAA apparently stuck somewhere in the 19th century, someone had to step forward and get the ball rolling towards fair treatment for the boys and girls down on the field playing their hearts out for their Alma Mater.
As we have come to expect from progressive California, the University of Southern California, through its athletic director Pat Haden, has announced that their school will begin a new program of providing full four year scholarships to student athletes in major sports read that revenue producing sports.
The move cannot but help recruiting at USC. Adding the four year scholarship to the package is huge to any young player who is also seeking a good college education while he or she is competing for the school.
Previously, athletic scholarships were offered only on a year-to-year basis. If all went well the year before and the recipient is still healthy, the scholarship is renewed. If not, for whatever reason, things could get pretty tough for the kid who just lost his scholarship stipend and still wants to continue his education.
The NCAA actually had a bylaw that prohibited multi-year scholarships up until 2011. Athletes at USC who are participating in Men’s or Women’s Basketball or Men’s Football are now eligible for a four year deal with the school.
Haden told the press, “In taking this action, USC hopes to help lead the effort to refocus on student-athlete welfare on and off the field.” While many applaud this action by USC, others wonder why it is necessary to ‘refocus’ attention on the student-athlete’s welfare when that is exactly what the NCAA was set up to do in the first place.
The group that really needs to ‘refocus’ is the group of people working with and around Mark Emmert at the NCAA offices. Those folks have definitely strayed from their organization’s stated goals and purpose.
Of course, Jim Delany, the head of the Big Ten conference…and a strong vocal supporter of student-athletes being treated more fairly, was not far behind Pat Haden in announcing that the Big Ten as well would be offering four year scholarships to its major sport student-athletes this coming year.
Look for the trend to continue.
