Shabazz Napier's Postgame Comments

[Cotton]

It's VOLUNTARY. IF you don't want to take the risk then don't sign up.

Okay, but when somebody breaks a leg for your entertainment, you just cast them aside and say tough luck? Are we talking about gladiators from Rome or football players in 2014? Surely we've come further as a society then this.

[hoglady]

Don't athletes who live on campus have meal plans?
If they choose to live off campus and don't get enough money for food - then maybe they should move back in a dorm.

I'm all for paying these athletes. The NCAA doesn't appear to give 2 hoots about the student/athlete. But I also don't believe these athletes are going hungry.

[Cotton]

Don't athletes who live on campus have meal plans?
If they choose to live off campus and don't get enough money for food - then maybe they should move back in a dorm.

I'm all for paying these athletes. The NCAA doesn't appear to give 2 hoots about the student/athlete. But I also don't believe these athletes are going hungry.

FYI. Most scholarships include housing and a full meal plan. To put it simply, cafeterias usually close 8-9pm. Athletes are burning an incredible amount of calories and usually need to eat 4-5 meals a day. Thus from 9pm until bedtime at 1 or 2am they are on their own for food.

Now factor in trying to eat cafeteria food all day every day of the week. It's impossible. We always said the best weight loss plan there is, is a meal plan. Try to eat that stuff every day and you'll lose your appetite pretty quickly.

[Pancetta]

Ok I believe that athletes should share more of the pie than they are currently, but lets just put the you can't eat every day in the cafeteria to bed. You can. I did it for weeks on end. I also took food out b/c I had an unlimited meal plan so I didnt and still dont view that as stealing. I didnt have a car so sometimes I would catch a ride and go out with friends. I used spare money to have fun. Now here is where I agree with him. I got spare money not from parents who didnt have it to give but from my excess scholarship, pell grant, and odd jobs. I was given about 3 grand above my actual room, board, books in scholarship money b/c I had mental talent to excel. Yet athletes cant be given 3 grand extra for their physical talents?  I can get a job  doing the professor's scut work as a GA but these kids can't get paid for doing the coach's job? Doesn't seem right to me.

[HognotinMemphis]

It's VOLUNTARY. IF you don't want to take the risk then don't sign up.

Yeah, that is realistic. 90% of these players have no where else to turn. They have to take it.

[avatar]

There are so many rules the athletic departments have several paid employees just to make sure student athletes follow all of them. You can do some surfing on NCAA website but you'll get bored after the first 50 pages of rules.

APR is a whole nother monster. However, it should be noted that Student-Athletes have higher graduation rates and GPAs than the general student body.

napier never took an english class. 4 years in a university and he can't speak english. apr is a joke. all you need is a few malleable profs

[avatar]

harry edwards is a brilliant sociologist who was a mentor to john carlos and tommy smith. these 2 track stars gave the black power salute on the podium at the olympics in mexico city in 1968.

"Edwards told Time magazine that he "wants to serve as a role model—the promising athlete who gave up the possibility of a career in professional sports to become a scholar instead." "We must teach our children to dream with their eyes open," he said. "The chances of your becoming a Jerry Rice or a Magic Johnson are so slim as to be negligible. Black kids must learn to distribute their energies in a way that's going to make them productive, contributing citizens in an increasingly high-technology society."

listen to kikko haydar after the mississippi game and the listen to napier. now ask yourself who you would want to be in 20 years

[RNHog]

Okay, but when somebody breaks a leg for your entertainment, you just cast them aside and say tough luck? Are we talking about gladiators from Rome or football players in 2014? Surely we've come further as a society then this.

YUP. I didn't make them sign up. If I do something wrong at work, it doesn't affect anyone else but me.

Just another thuggy, thinks the world owes them something athlete.

[RNHog]

FYI. Most scholarships include housing and a full meal plan. To put it simply, cafeterias usually close 8-9pm. Athletes are burning an incredible amount of calories and usually need to eat 4-5 meals a day. Thus from 9pm until bedtime at 1 or 2am they are on their own for food.

Now factor in trying to eat cafeteria food all day every day of the week. It's impossible. We always said the best weight loss plan there is, is a meal plan. Try to eat that stuff every day and you'll lose your appetite pretty quickly.

Please. I know a football player that had a cafeteria meal voucher AND a meal voucher for Chik-fil-A while in college. These folks don't go hungry. They eat the best, get the best health care in school, and for the most part the best housing. Give me a freaking breatk.

[RNHog]

harry edwards is a brilliant sociologist who was a mentor to john carlos and tommy smith. these 2 track stars gave the black power salute on the podium at the olympics in mexico city in 1968.

"Edwards told Time magazine that he "wants to serve as a role model—the promising athlete who gave up the possibility of a career in professional sports to become a scholar instead." "We must teach our children to dream with their eyes open," he said. "The chances of your becoming a Jerry Rice or a Magic Johnson are so slim as to be negligible. Black kids must learn to distribute their energies in a way that's going to make them productive, contributing citizens in an increasingly high-technology society."

listen to kikko haydar after the mississippi game and the listen to napier. now ask yourself who you would want to be in 20 years

It's a no brainer with the last part of your post.

[PORKULATOR]

Napiers comment just showed how ignorant UConn is to the college game. They weren't allowed to be in the tournament last year because they were to damn stupid to be eligible for college basketball. College=academics you tool shed. The only chip he shoulda had on his shoulder was a frito. And he shoulda used it to make frito pie.

[hoglady]

FYI. Most scholarships include housing and a full meal plan. To put it simply, cafeterias usually close 8-9pm. Athletes are burning an incredible amount of calories and usually need to eat 4-5 meals a day. Thus from 9pm until bedtime at 1 or 2am they are on their own for food.

Now factor in trying to eat cafeteria food all day every day of the week. It's impossible. We always said the best weight loss plan there is, is a meal plan. Try to eat that stuff every day and you'll lose your appetite pretty quickly.

UConn has around 10 different cafeteria's and cafe's on campus. Serving a wide variety of foods. In addition - They have grab and go's for made to order sandwiches, salads and grinders that are open until 10 every night. Most of the eateries are all you can eat. Each of these always have breakfast, brunch, salad bar and pizza along with the standard fare.
How do you starve with that available for you?

We are discussing a kid who went to a $50,000 a year prep school. I'm sure the food provided by UConn pales in comparison.

[RNHog]

UConn has around 10 different cafeteria's and cafe's on campus. Serving a wide variety of foods. In addition - They have grab and go's for made to order sandwiches, salads and grinders that are open until 10 every night. Most of the eateries are all you can eat. Each of these always have breakfast, brunch, salad bar and pizza along with the standard fare.
How do you starve with that available for you?

We are discussing a kid who went to a $50,000 a year prep school. I'm sure the food provided by UConn pales in comparison.

Just another entitled college player. The idiot should be thankful he had the gift of basketball to attend a school like Uconn on scholarship.

[Cotton]

I don't expect most of you to understand, because you've never been in those situations. It's easy to sit around and speculate, but if you haven't walked the walk, you have no idea what it's like.

Moreover, you all continue to miss the main point. This isn't about Shabazz Napier. This is about the exploitation of athletes, a corrupt system that needs to be changed.

[ricepig]

I don't expect most of you to understand, because you've never been in those situations. It's easy to sit around and speculate, but if you haven't walked the walk, you have no idea what it's like.

Moreover, you all continue to miss the main point. This isn't about Shabazz Napier. This is about the exploitation of athletes, a corrupt system that needs to be changed.

Ok, we give him/them another $2000/semester for incidental, I bet he still goes "hungry."

[waphill]

Moreover, you all continue to miss the main point. This isn't about Shabazz Napier. This is about the exploitation of athletes, a corrupt system that needs to be changed.

Actually, this thread IS about Shabazz Napier and his postgame comments.

[Cotton]

Actually, this thread IS about Shabazz Napier and his postgame comments.

Smh.

Instead of seeing the message, you see the messenger.

[Inhogswetrust]

Don't athletes who live on campus have meal plans?
If they choose to live off campus and don't get enough money for food - then maybe they should move back in a dorm.

I'm all for paying these athletes. The NCAA doesn't appear to give 2 hoots about the student/athlete. But I also don't believe these athletes are going hungry.

IF they live off campus then that takes up time. Yet they have no extra time according to some.

[waphill]

Smh.

Instead of seeing the message, you see the messenger.

Just trying to get you to lighten up a bit!

[Inhogswetrust]

Yeah, that is realistic. 90% of these players have no where else to turn. They have to take it.

No they don't. I see where you are going. Especially not 90%. Not all athletes families are dirt poor. Some are but not all. Plus they don't' HAVE to choose to be an athlete. There are other ways to get college paid for. There are other ways to make good money and live a decent life financially.

[Inhogswetrust]

Okay, but when somebody breaks a leg for your entertainment, you just cast them aside and say tough luck? Are we talking about gladiators from Rome or football players in 2014? Surely we've come further as a society then this.

Yes we have. Schools have really good medical staffs and connections to outside medical practices and hospitals. Todays athletes have choices and they aren't put to death by the whims of the emperor. Should schools take care of athletes medically very well, absolutely. MOST athletes on scholarship when hurt to the point they can no longer play are kept on a scholarship of some sorts so they can finish school. As I've said in another post read the NCAA website. There are a lot of things available to athletes than most people don't know about.

[Inhogswetrust]

FYI. Most scholarships include housing and a full meal plan. To put it simply, cafeterias usually close 8-9pm. Athletes are burning an incredible amount of calories and usually need to eat 4-5 meals a day. Thus from 9pm until bedtime at 1 or 2am they are on their own for food.

Now factor in trying to eat cafeteria food all day every day of the week. It's impossible. We always said the best weight loss plan there is, is a meal plan. Try to eat that stuff every day and you'll lose your appetite pretty quickly.

I've eaten at school cafeterias a LOT. Lived in Yocum when I started at the UA. Food is fine usually. Is it seasoned like at home, nope. People that live off campus usually don't eat as nutritious. One problem is younger folks grow up today eating out a LOT and don't know what nutritious food is. Nutrition and diet is one thing our new staff stresses and the players have responded to very well.

[Inhogswetrust]

napier never took an english class. 4 years in a university and he can't speak english. apr is a joke. all you need is a few malleable profs

I hate to admit it but ALL colleges have athletes that can't speak english very well. Including the UA.  One of our former coaches used to have athletes learn how to give interviews.

[Inhogswetrust]

I don't expect most of you to understand, because you've never been in those situations. It's easy to sit around and speculate, but if you haven't walked the walk, you have no idea what it's like.

Moreover, you all continue to miss the main point. This isn't about Shabazz Napier. This is about the exploitation of athletes, a corrupt system that needs to be changed.

Is the system perfect, NO. But to think it's so corrupt it needs to be changed dramatically is false. I've got quite a few former athlete friends. Some even went on to have successful careers in the pro's. Have they said things about the system they didn't like, of course. BUT they also don't think they were exploited to the point you think they are. I can't speak for all athletes obviously.

[Cotton]

Is the system perfect, NO. But to think it's so corrupt it needs to be changed dramatically is false. I've got quite a few former athlete friends. Some even went on to have successful careers in the pro's. Have they said things about the system they didn't like, of course. BUT they also don't think they were exploited to the point you think they are. I can't speak for all athletes obviously.

Im a former athlete. Majority of my friends as well. The system is corrupt. People see the fame and glory, but don't understand the grind or struggle.

To think the system is fair or just is absurd. NCAA controls every aspect of your life making billions off you, using the pathetic excuse that a full scholarship is enough, when in fact it has been PROVEN that it does not cover all costs.

[ricepig]

Im a former athlete. Majority of my friends as well. The system is corrupt. People see the fame and glory, but don't understand the grind or struggle.

To think the system is fair or just is absurd. NCAA controls every aspect of your life making billions off you, using the pathetic excuse that a full scholarship is enough, when in fact it has been PROVEN that it does not cover all costs.

Ok, what sport and at what level did you play? How many held a gun to your head to accept that scholarship, assuming you had one? Nobody says it's easy, or that some modifications need to be made, but all this, "the man is keeping me down", crap is that, crap.

[Kevin]

hard to cry poor student-athlete, then 30 minutes later having $400 dollar headphones on your head.

[ricepig]

hard to cry poor student-athlete, then 30 minutes later having $400 dollar headphones on your head.

Now, you've read in this thread that those and the tats were gifts.....

[choppedporkextrasauce]

Napiers comment just showed how ignorant UConn is to the college game. They weren't allowed to be in the tournament last year because they were to damn stupid to be eligible for college basketball. College=academics you tool shed. The only chip he shoulda had on his shoulder was a frito. And he shoulda used it to make frito pie.

The real ignorance is your post. It's like the Elephant in the Room.

[talley]

Im a former athlete. Majority of my friends as well. The system is corrupt. People see the fame and glory, but don't understand the grind or struggle.

To think the system is fair or just is absurd. NCAA controls every aspect of your life making billions off you, using the pathetic excuse that a full scholarship is enough, when in fact it has been PROVEN that it does not cover all costs.

If you were starving, you could have dropped out at any time and did what most did AND TAKE OUT LOANS! If you didn't want to do that you could have easily just started working!  You could have become a welder, a contractor, a oil and gas guy, etc etc etc.  You HAD CHOICES! To sit here and compalin like you didn't get nothing is stupid.  Every college student struggles!  Thats college!  Every college person eats ramen noodles and tony's pizzas!  That is part of college! once again though you had choices!  You know how many people would love to "mistreated" like these athletes!

[EastexHawg]

Now factor in trying to eat cafeteria food all day every day of the week. It's impossible. We always said the best weight loss plan there is, is a meal plan. Try to eat that stuff every day and you'll lose your appetite pretty quickly.

Do you think none of us were ever 18-22 years old and attending college?  I was 6'4" and 175 pounds when I started college.  As part of my room and board payment I got 20 meals per week in the cafeteria.  The only meal that wasn't available was Sunday night...we were on our own for that one.  By the end of my freshman year I weighed 195 and the next year I weighed 225.

I didn't have money when I was a college student.  My dad was a 100% disabled vet and I did well to have clothes to wear and occasionally enough cash to split a pizza with my roommate and our girlfriends or maybe buy a six pack.  But, that was okay because almost no one I knew had a bunch of money.  I ate in the cafeteria almost every meal for the two years I lived in the dorm.

Maybe back then we weren't smart enough to realize the level of torture involved in eating university-provided cafeteria meals...or maybe I wasn't as hard to please as today's college students.

[choppedporkextrasauce]

If a student athlete doesn't get a degree it is their fault not the schools.

It is according to the NCAA.  that's why UCONN was banned, that's why the UofA was close to being banned.

[hoglady]

I don't expect most of you to understand, because you've never been in those situations. It's easy to sit around and speculate, but if you haven't walked the walk, you have no idea what it's like.

Moreover, you all continue to miss the main point. This isn't about Shabazz Napier. This is about the exploitation of athletes, a corrupt system that needs to be changed.

I understand what you are saying.
I agree it's shameful the way these kids are used.
BUT you don't say you're starving when you aren't. There are plenty of people in this country TRULY starving, who know on a daily basis what it's like to have no food to eat. If he wants to make a point, use something else - that's actually truthful.

[nationwish]

I just wonder how many schools are using his comments as negative recruiting. It's just too easy to say "Look at what their star player said about life at that school. Our players will not go hungry."

[hoglady]

I just wonder how many schools are using his comments as negative recruiting. It's just too easy to say "Look at what their star player said about life at that school. Our players will not go hungry."

I had to laugh at that.
I can see it now.

[Cotton]

If you were starving, you could have dropped out at any time and did what most did AND TAKE OUT LOANS! If you didn't want to do that you could have easily just started working!  You could have become a welder, a contractor, a oil and gas guy, etc etc etc.  You HAD CHOICES! To sit here and compalin like you didn't get nothing is stupid.  Every college student struggles!  Thats college!  Every college person eats ramen noodles and tony's pizzas!  That is part of college! once again though you had choices!  You know how many people would love to "mistreated" like these athletes!

Great idea! Throw away $40,000 of scholarship money, then take out $40,000 in loans to pay for school so you can get a job and work through college just so you can have some extra spending money. You're a genius!

I understand what you are saying.
I agree it's shameful the way these kids are used.
BUT you don't say you're starving when you aren't. There are plenty of people in this country TRULY starving, who know on a daily basis what it's like to have no food to eat. If he wants to make a point, use something else - that's actually truthful.

How many people say daily "Im starving" when really they are just craving a small meal? He isn't literally saying I'm starving, he's saying many student athletes don't have any spending money and can't afford to go get food after hours.

A regular student can get a job while going to school. Student athletes are essentially working a full time job with their sport.

Add up all the hours an athlete spends in his/her sport and the scholarships don't even equal minimum wage. But hey TV, Universities, and businesses are making BILLIONS off of them and that's okay. Give me a break.

[Kevin]

don't forget about the $5500 in pell grant most athletes get.
a check in august, & one in january.

[Cotton]

don't forget about the $5500 in pell grant most athletes get.
a check in august, & one in january.

Most athletes? So you're saying most athletes are low income families?

Pell grants are not athlete exclusive so your statement is as misleading as it is false.

[talley]

Great idea! Throw away $40,000 of scholarship money, then take out $40,000 in loans to pay for school so you can get a job and work through college just so you can have some extra spending money. You're a genius!

Thats my whole point... you're getting a 40,000 scholarhip GIVEN to you, which most people have to pay for and then ALSO DONT EAT GOOD!!!! that was the entire point!

You act like athletes have it hard!  It's college, everyone has it hard! No one lives it up! 

[Cotton]

Thats my whole point... you're getting a 40,000 scholarhip GIVEN to you, which most people have to pay for and then ALSO DONT EAT GOOD!!!! that was the entire point!

You act like athletes have it hard!  It's college, everyone has it hard! No one lives it up!

Or we could just give them more money so they don't have to struggle... Good lord what a ground breaking idea.

But since you're jealous you weren't an athlete you don't want any one else to have anything better than you. Take a seat.

[kingofdequeen]

ya'll see those clothes he was wearing on the podium?  for sale right now.  on his and his teammates efforts. 

when HiM is the voice of reason, you're in a bad spot.

[hoglady]

Or we could just give them more money so they don't have to struggle... Good lord what a ground breaking idea.

But since you're jealous you weren't an athlete you don't want any one else to have anything better than you. Take a seat.

I think most in this thread would agree there needs to be changes in the system and these athletes should be getting more spending money. That the NCAA has some ridiculous rules that should be simplified and addressed.

[Cotton]

I think most in this thread would agree there needs to be changes in the system and these athletes should be getting more spending money. That the NCAA has some ridiculous rules that should be simplified and addressed.

I hope so.

I also agree that "starving" isn't the correct term, and I understand the perception of a tattooed athlete that has a few nice looking things doesn't help the argument.

I just hope to see changes made soon. It's gone on long enough.

[ricepig]

I hope so.

I also agree that "starving" isn't the correct term, and I understand the perception of a tattooed athlete that has a few nice looking things doesn't help the argument.

I just hope to see changes made soon. It's gone on long enough.

Do you have an opinion on what you think the proper amount of "help" should be?

[Cotton]

Do you have an opinion on what you think the proper amount of "help" should be?

Yes, but I can't put an exact number on it. Personally I don't think it should be a large sum. Especially because you would begin to alienate smaller schools. Unless they decided to separate FBS into 2 or 3 levels. It has to be a number affordable for smaller schools, yet enough to reward the student athlete. Somewhere equal to what pale grant is would be a fair number. 3,000 or so a semester and for the summer.

[Inhogswetrust]

It is according to the NCAA.  that's why UCONN was banned, that's why the UofA was close to being banned.

Yep. BUT we have to hold someone responsible for athletes since some athletes can't do it themselves just like regular students. That rule is so schools won't use them ONLY as a hired gun.

[Inhogswetrust]

Thats my whole point... you're getting a 40,000 scholarhip GIVEN to you, which most people have to pay for and then ALSO DONT EAT GOOD!!!! that was the entire point!

You act like athletes have it hard!  It's college, everyone has it hard! No one lives it up! 

There is some living it up. However IF you live it up too much you will not last long in college.

[Cotton]

There is some living it up. However IF you live it up too much you will not last long in college.

Truuuuuuu

[ricepig]

Yes, but I can't put an exact number on it. Personally I don't think it should be a large sum. Especially because you would begin to alienate smaller schools. Unless they decided to separate FBS into 2 or 3 levels. It has to be a number affordable for smaller schools, yet enough to reward the student athlete. Somewhere equal to what pale grant is would be a fair number. 3,000 or so a semester and for the summer.

$3000 a semester above the full cost of tuition and room and board? Is this for all athletes across the board, men/women, full/partial scholly, revenue maker or revenue drain?

[Cotton]

$3000 a semester above the full cost of tuition and room and board? Is this for all athletes across the board, men/women, full/partial scholly, revenue maker or revenue drain?

It would be included in a full scholarship in my hypothetical model. Somebody with half a scholarship would receive half that, ect.

I'm brainstorming this aspect as we go. Keep picking, it's a fun discussion.