Being a sports enthusiast, I couldn’t help reading the stories, comments, and opinions on the latest troubled college athlete and coach. It saddens me, but also allows me to reminisce.
After much speculation, I believe it all came down to a Superstar who felt a scholarship to a major university wasn’t enough and a high-profile coach who felt winning wasn’t enough. It didn’t start out that way because the athlete already has had everything most young people could ever hope for (I’ll talk about the coach in Part 2). Exceptional talents and skills, the opportunity to play the sport he loves on a national stage, a free education, and access to top-notch coaches, trainers, facilities, and resources to propel him to professional status, should he choose that route.
So did the superstar (and some teammates) honestly forget the NCAA rules on “improper benefits?” If yes, then they all made an honest mistake. His lesson learned should be whatever you do in life, always know and pay attention to the rules because if you intentionally or unintentionally break them and get caught, you will suffer consequences—big or small, sooner or later. But, if he intentionally ignored the rules, the question is why?
I attended a Division III school on a track scholarship (no track, no facility). In my third year of college, I used my meager scholarship stipend to buy my first car (a Dodge Colt, which I kept for 10 years).
After looking back, it’s evident my four years of college shaped who I am (today):
- Happiness– played and excelled in the sport I love (devoted spectator)
- Intelligence– graduated with a B.S. Degree (got my MBA several years later)
- Beauty– developed my physical and mental well-being (still wear the same size)
- Success– learned to compete in life and accept successes and failures in a positive spirit (always embrace life’s twists and turns)
- Wealth– acquired everything listed above and it didn’t cost me a penny (PRICELESS!!)
Today’s youth (and some parents) may not agree on the value of my scholarship, but maybe herein lays the answer. Did this Superstar (and teammates) make a poorly calculated decision because he didn’t know the value of what he had or was he convinced he needed more to live up to his Athlete Rockstar status?
