Tough Love for NCAA Fathers
In 2001, Butler was a student at DeVry University in Kansas City, Mo. and was planning on transferring to another school to play football as a defensive lineman. Then his girlfriend and future wife had a baby girl, Angelina. Butler decided to hold off on football for a year to help raise the child. Athletes these days are so self-centered. In 2003, he enrolled at Avila Institute in Kansas City, where he played one season of football before transferring to the University of Kansas. He walked onto the football team and played defensive tackle for the Jayhawks last season, recording 12 tackles and two sacks. This season should be his fourth and final year of eligibility. Instead, the NCAA told him in July that his eligibility has expired, because the year he had spent caring for his child counts against his athletic eligibility. He appealed the decision under Title IX (gender equality), but was informed that a pregnancy waiver is only available to women. For the NCAA to trivialize the importance of the father in the parenting process isn’t just stupid; it's downright irresponsible. And while the organization clearly doesn't understand parenthood in the least, there is something it understands quite well: publicity. Enter Clemson freshman Ray Ray McElrathbey, who doesn't just play football, he also takes care of his 11-year-old brother, Fahmarr. Last week they became a national story as publications and TV stations from coast to coast decried the heartlessness of NCAA rules that prohibited something as simple as McElrathbey having somebody pick up Fahmarr from school in the afternoons. SI finished its article in last week's issue by saying it was the NCAA's "chance to do the right thing." Well, the NCAA did the right thing, giving a waiver to McElrathbey that allows such things as a coach's wife picking up Fahmarr at school and other logisitical necessities. In addition, the governing body for collegiate sports will permit the establishment of a trust fund to provide Fahmarr with basic needs, such as food and clothing. So what's the lesson here? That justice is only available to those who have their case made in the national media? Like McElrathbey, Butler just wanted to do the right thing. And like McElrathbey, he needed the NCAA's understanding. Responsible parenting should be encouraged at every opportunity, especially in situations like Butler's. He shouldn't be punished for doing the right thing. What do you think? Should male athletes be allowed time off for paternity leave? Should the NCAA give some sort of dispensation or allowance for cases like these? Or should it be judged on a case by case basis? What's your take? This story was written by Michael Phillips, the Sports Editor at the University Daily Kansan. Watch Your Langauge
This news is pretty important. Imagine a Maryland basketball game or a football game at Florida or LSU – where cursing from the crowd is as much a part of the game as referees and coaches. Though BU's Dean of Students, Kenneth Elmore, said the new policy is a result of numerous complaints about the stream of obscenities from students at hockey games, the students are obviously none too pleased with this development. Today we want to know what you think. Has the language at college games gotten out of hand, or is this another example of a school being too PC? Week 3 - Quick Hits
- For all the talk of Urban Meyer's revolutionary offense, Chris Leak and Tim Tebow, people need to start talking more about Florida's defense, which looks to be the best in the nation. - USC's victory over Nebraska was pretty whatever. We're more interested in this Reggie Bush mess and whether Pete Carroll runs as clean a program as he's claimed during the past five years. --Oklahoma. Yes, they got screwed, but part of it is their fault. They had a chance to ice the game and didn't. More importantly, how will the Sooners react? Can Coach Bob Stoops get his players re-focused and ready to take Middle Tennessee State seriously on Saturday? - Obviously, Michigan showed they were a force with their domination of Notre Dame, but we still don't see them beating Ohio State when the two teams face off in November. -Larry Coker should be fired. Same with Chuck Amato. Al Groh, too. What's your quick hit?  |
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