Tag: Sports Opinion

Fall 2019, Opinion

Females should not be excluded from playing football

By Abi Hernandez

Football was traditionally a sport for guys since 1869.

  But now more and more girls are interested in playing football. When guys hear this, they start complaining and bragging that the girls will just get hurt and say that it’s “not for girls.” Women should be allowed to play on football teams. 

In high school, I played football and was pretty good. At the beginning of the season, I got a lot of backlash for even thinking about playing football. When I finally did, it was rough at the beginning. Half of my teammates were not happy when they found out the new player was a girl. My fellow teammates treated me badly. But I would just ignore them and worry about what I was doing. Football

Even my coaches would treat me badly at times, as well as my own friends. Many people doubted me during this time, saying I was just going to let the team lose and I made them look weak and pathetic. I just wanted to open a new opportunity for the girls who would like to play as well.

Girls should be allowed to play football too, because this is a new opportunity and women have rights too. Just because I am a girl, that didn’t stop me. I had a couple of friends who supported me and helped me get away from the mean comments.

girl fbFootball is one of those touchy areas where men still dominate and girls are thought to be too weak and unskilled to play. But girls should be able to play football if they really want to. 

I understand that football is a very physical sport and can cause some health problems, especially for women.  If men can play football, women can play football. Not only can they play with other women, but they should be able to compete with men. It’s only fair. 

Other than the injuries, I don’t see why they won’t give girls a chance. The only thing I do see as a problem is women playing in professional football. High school is different because you are not going against 6-foot-4, strong men ready to bulldoze anything and everything in the way. I am all for girls playing football and trying to get equal treatment. But since the guys are physically stronger, it is more likely for women to get concussions or worse.

The big question is, can they play? Of course. Not every position in football requires you to bench 300 pounds or run a 4.3 40. There are several positions that if a woman wanted to play she sure could. A great example is a kicker. When I played, I was a center field, and on occasion, I was a cornerback. 

I got injured during my freshman year and I was almost paralyzed. I broke my knee and dislocated my shoulder because I wasn’t that big and the other guys were husky and shredded. During the summer, I recovered and worked until I was happy with my body size and my muscle mass. So I totally understand the concerns, but women still deserve a chance to play football.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Opinion, Sports, spring 2019

Trout underpaid as result of faulty statistic

The ink has yet to dry on Mike Trout’s  $430 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Angels, and yet people are already saying he is underpaid.

downloadIt was surprising to see the Angels spend big money on Trout, especially after their last two big signings were flops. Albert Pujols never lived up to the numbers he was projected to have. Josh Hamilton was just unable to stay sober to let his talents match his contract. Most recently Shohei Ohtani had surgery on his arm midway through his rookie year.

The Angels have had bad luck with free agency and have not made the playoffs since 2014. They have not won a playoff series since 2009.

Trout, 27, is considered the best player in baseball, hands-down. His resume includes two American League MVPs, seven All-Star appearances and six Silver Slugger awards.

Baseball, like most major sports, has fallen victim to the analytics and what they show. That’s how players are valued now. The latest trend in analytics for Major League Baseball is wins above replacement (WAR). Trout’s WAR percentage is 64.9 , which puts him in some very infamous company that includes Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, Rogers Hornsby and Jimmie Foxx. Babe Ruth is 13th on the list, with a WAR percentage of 45.4, according to FanGraphs, a website for statistics for Major League Baseball and Minor League baseball, with statistical analysis, graphs, and projections.

 Those are some of the all-time great players in Major League Baseball history. The gamehas changed and evolved, so let’s compare Trout to some modern players. In his first season in 2013, Trout played more than 150 games. His war was 54.1. In second was Josh Donaldson with 35.7. Trout averages 9.0 WAR a season, meaning he alone is worth nine victories a season.  Two other players have only done this once, Bryce Harper in 2015 and Mookie Betts in 2018. They both were MVP seasons.

trout

WAR is valued at $9 million a game, on average. But that number goes up with division games and playoffs, making WAR value more than $35 million for a division playoff game. These numbers are not universal, because not all teams are valued the same.

So if Trout moved to another team in a big market, his value could easily double or triple. The truth of the matter is that his value cannot be truly measured. Until the Angels make a deep playoff run with this once- in-a-generation talent, that won’t be known.

The money spent on Trout does not leave a lot of room for the franchise to add more big-name players around him. Time will tell if it is worth it to pay all that money for one player, or if teams are better off building from their farm system. 

WAR is not a perfect statistic and can be manipulated by changing the criteria. But it’s clear to say that Trout may be underpaid when he’s $70 million shy of being paid half a billion dollars to play a game.

Fall 2017, Sports

NFL player determined to grow education opportunities in hometown

Chris Long of the Philadelphia Eagles is donating the rest of his year’s salary in effort to increase educational equality.

Long, a defensive end in his first season with the Eagles, has already donated his first six game checks to give two scholarships for students in his hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia.

His next 10 game checks will be used to launch the, “Pledge 10 for Tomorrow” campaign, which includes four organizations that branch out to three communities in effort to grow equal education opportunities.

Long is taking initiative with the platform he has access to in the NFL to promote positive changes in society, starting with the children of America receiving equal education opportunities.

Although athletes in various professional sports advocate giving to charities and organizations, Long is one of the few who is making the most of his professional career to provide for his cause.

Athletes donate and help with various societal issues but do not continuously speak out and push their followers to do the same.

I believe more athletes who have the money to give should be more involved with society and the various problems Americans are facing. It is not only equal education, but so many more such as job opportunities, environmental advances, and the overall well-being of cities and towns.

Long is not the top earning player in the NFL by far, which presents the question of why can’t the top paid athletes throughout the league do more?

It is not a rule that players are forced to help society in any way they can, but it should be encouraged. Instead of buying mansions, sports cars, and other luxuries, players can do more for the people struggling in society or put their resources toward creating a better environment and healthy city or town they came from.

I continually read and hear about professional athletes who grew up in ghettos or middle-class neighborhoods where life wasn’t always the easiest. Their families, siblings, and friends didn’t always get the newest or nicest things because parents were working to put food on tables.

As professional athletes who get paid more than enough to sustain a healthy lifestyle, these players could make a difference by helping families and neighborhoods that struggle like those players once did so long ago.

  That’s not to say only the athletes who struggled at a young age to find better opportunities should be the only players to help. As a whole, leagues should be pushing everyone within their systems to help various causes to create a better society for future generations to be more successful.

With athletes beginning to use their platform to create and promote social change in different aspects in our American culture, it is only a matter of time before fans and followers begin to join the movement of creating a better world.

Long is creating a positive example of changing society for the future of America. He is creating a movement people will eventually follow when they realize this is allowing kids to receive an education that will benefit them in the future.

Even though his organization is meant to help his hometown of Charlottesville, it is a big step for the city, and Long did not have to do this. Hopefully, his actions will push others to be more involved around the country and give everyone a chance to receive an education they deserve.

If Long was able to come to this decision of helping society in any way he can, whether money is necessary or not, I hope more athletes realize there is an endless amount of opportunities to help our society grow and better itself.

Fall 2017, Sports

Kickoff injuries not worth brief excitement

In professional football, the kickoff should be replaced with a game mechanic that doesn’t sacrifice personal safety for a moment of entertainment.

With so many scandals and controversy coming out of the NFL, it’s understandable that the folks in charge of making big sweeping changes have a lot on their plate. But there’s a glaring problem that both the public and the league may not be able to put off for much longer.

Kickoffs in football are inherently exciting, and a driving force for the way the flow of regular gameplay is established. The tables can turn in a kickoff in such an abrupt way that they might even decide the fate of an entire game. But it comes at a high price.

It’s no secret that, in the NFL, more injuries occur during a kickoff than any other moment in the game. There’s simply too much time to gain too much speed, and then players are expected to collide headfirst with others to bring things to a dangerous halt.

According to the New York Times, a few years ago when the NFL decided to move the kickoff just five yards downfield, touchbacks increased to nearly 300 percent more than the previous number.

This sounds like a frustrating and boring result, weakening what is arguably one of the most exciting parts of a football game. But the change had the desired, and frankly humane, result—it led to a 40 percent decrease in the number of concussions sustained during a kickoff compared to the previous year.

If this simple change of five yards can make such an enormous difference, why are we allowing the injuries to continue at all?

If the idea of curbing hundreds of needless injuries doesn’t appeal to the institution as a whole for some reason, then maybe player skill might be a good motivation to consider nixing the kickoff.

The moment of kickoff, while certainly exciting, employs so much randomness so as to almost be as effective as a coin toss. Sure, the ability of a player to work in conjunction with a team is still important to the process. But the shape of the ball and the fallibility of kicking something hard and fast into the air creates massive chaos on the field.

Some would even argue the chaos is completely arbitrary, and it only serves to shake up the flow of the game in favor of a weaker team. If one team gains a noticeable lead, a chance at taking back the reigns may be just one kickoff away.

It’s true that kickoffs have been around for a very long time, and removing them would generate a giant backlash from many who think they should stick around. But the greater truth is that football, as a sport, isn’t sacred. It can, and should, adapt as the decades go on, in order to better serve the fans, the teams, and the individual players.

When talking about the safety of players, I think there’s no better reason to make a change than to preserve the lives and livelihoods of the ones who have to actually make their living on the field. If throwing away kickoffs means football can continued to be played more safely than it has in the past, then it’s a small price to pay.

Fall 2017, Opinion

BackTalk: NFL players kneeling creates noise

Silent protests from NFL players prove nothing

by TINA GONZALEZ / Editorial Assistant

During the past year or so, football players across America have taken it upon themselves to start a silent protest.

They have the right to disrespect the people who sacrificed their lives so that they have the opportunity to play the game that gives them income, publicity, and a life. By no means it is right for anyone in American to have their rights taken away, no matter the color of their skin.

However, it is in no way moral or logical to protest about the issue of racism and police brutality by deliberately disrespecting the country’s flag and anthem. It is a great country that we are able to live in. Many people years before gave their all to make this country as free as it is. It is sad that our country still has issues with racism, but there are better ways to make your statement than by being discourteous to the flag of the country that gives you the freedom to kneel.

President Donald Trump does not use words wisely and doesn’t say what he means in the right way. But he is right about saying how disgraceful these football players and owners are to ignore a song and flag that gives them freedom. In kneeling, you are also disrespecting the people who fight for our country. People who are fighting for our lives, for our freedom, do not deserve the rudeness and disrespect that the NFL players are giving.

Protest and fight for what you believe in. There is nothing wrong with that. But think of what and who you are blaming. It is not the flag’s fault or the people’s fault for the cruelty that happens in the streets, it is ours. It is the people among you that you should be protesting.

American is a home. It is a family. Just like with any other family and home, there is dysfunction. But the people, not the home itself, cause that. It is OK for high-profile players and celebrities to use their platforms to voice their opinion on current issues. But it is important that they voice their opinion the right way, by holding walks and conferences. High-profile people think more thoroughly about their actions because it has a major effect on their supporters. It is important that they do not disrespect the one thing and the people who make it acceptable for you to have freedom.

The NFL and other supporters of the kneeling protest are referring to a picture of Martin Luther King Jr. kneeling. But the difference between a great iconic man kneeling and selfish football players kneeling is that Martin Luther King Jr. was kneeling for prayer. The NFL players kneeling are disrespecting the flag and everything it stands for.

There is no right way to protest. There are always going to be people who don’t agree with how things are done. Thankfully, the NFL’s protest is peaceful. But the way the NFL is protesting is not the right way to protest for racism and police brutality. All it is doing is dishonoring the one thing and the people who make this the country way it is.

We want a “fair” society, though that may never be accomplished because there is always a group or a person who wants things different. But that is the beauty of this country. We get to express our own opinions.

It is OK to protest whatever your heart desires. But don’t disrespect the one thing that gives you the right to protest.

Kneeling football players have right to stand against injustice

by DOM PUENTE / Staff Writer

NFL players protesting the injustices that are going on in America against people of color by kneeling during the national anthem are causing an outrage throughout the country.

Those claiming these players are disrespecting their flag, national anthem, soldiers, and veterans who lost their lives are oblivious to the actual reasons for their protest. Countless people put up a front for defending what they believe to be is the perfect country, which everyone should be grateful for. But it’s not.

Throughout 2017, masses of enraged Americans of all colors and nationalities have marched down highways and streets, protesting injustices that continuously happen.

Our veterans have laid their lives on the line to allow us to have freedom of speech, to peacefully protest. These players are doing so while thousands of Americans believe this country is regressing.

No action has been taken to help correct the atrocities that have already taken place, or to prevent further injustices from taking place.

These NFL athletes are using their platform to send a message throughout America that this is not the greatest country right now. There is constant police brutality, senseless murders and racism that fill the streets of America, and the hundreds of thousands of Americans speaking about and protesting for changes are constantly being ignored because brainwashed America believes that it only happens in ghettos, or in crime-heavy cities and neighborhoods.

These people also believe that police officers are doing their jobs and keeping the streets safe. However, the streets are filled with protesters of all races who beg to differ when unarmed young adults, teens, and children are being gunned down in neighborhoods because an officer was “technically” in the right to do so. People with the ability and power to fix these situations are pushing these issues to the back burner.

Players kneeling during an anthem and not standing for the flag is because some believe that they are not being heard, and the minorities are being treated unfairly. They believe the country we live in now does not represent what the flag and anthem stand for. People are being ignored, and these players constantly being talked about negatively are speaking for the people who will not be listened to. These players are right for protesting what they believe in.

Former San Francisco 49’rs starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick began this form of peaceful protest and said, “I am not going to stand up and show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color…”

I believe the hundreds of thousands of Americans of various races who march and protest throughout various cities in the country feel the same way. Yet their opinions do not matter, or they are automatically being told they’re wrong.

We should not stand for a country that looks the other way when racism prevails and oppression continuous to hinder America. These are the reasons for NFL players taking a knee. It is not to be disrespectful to the fallen soldiers or the men and women fighting for our rights overseas. The players kneel to show they are against a country full of people who have the chance to make things right, yet believe this nation is perfect the way it is, though horrendous acts of racism and prejudice still take place.

The people that argue this form of protest being disrespectful are nonbelievers of the current social issues and only argue that simply kneeling disrespects our soldiers. These people also do not understand the reasons for NFL players protesting and the reason for players utilizing their platform.

No form of protest can make everyone happy. Protest is not meant to make people happy. These players are using their platform to bring social issues to the forefront of conversations, and it is working. Whether it enrages people or gives people a sense of urgency to continue to protest and let their voices be heard, the players are right when you understand the actual reasons and stop being blind.

Fall 2017, Opinion

Word on the Street

How do you feel about NFL football players kneeling during the National Anthem?

image_6483441-3Honestly, I really don’t think it’s that big of an issue, because it’s their First Amendment right to say what they want to say. I do think the flag stands for our rights and the people who fought for those rights.”

Racheal Klein – Music Education, Sophomore, Lubbock

 

image_6483441-2Well actually, I feel like the players have their own rights. But the way Donald Trump is treating other people, it is affecting other people and the players too. They’re defending themselves against Donald Trump.”

Manuel Martinez – Business Administration, Freshman, Levelland

 

IMG_0123Honestly, I feel like it’s a big disrespect to me. I grew up in a military family, so it hurts.”

Trace Riol – Diesel Mechanics, Freshman, Levelland

 

 

IMG_0113For me, it’s more about the soldiers. When you know one or are personally related to one, you understand, but you want respect.”

Cecilia Gerrero –  General Studies, Freshman, Levelland

 

IMG_0120I think it could go both ways. I have family that have served and could see why they would be offended. However, I also think that they are doing it in a non-violent way. But they could have gone a different way about it.”

Nadien Sanchez – Performance and Education, Freshman, Levelland

 

IMG_0108I have mixed feelings about it. One, you have your right to protest, which is OK. But the other half of me thinks it’s disrespecting our flag and country.”

Nev Rios – Biology, Sophomore, Shallowater

Fall 2017, Sports

Bryant deserves both Laker jerseys retired

Kobe Bryant has given his best years to the NBA.

Now, the NBA is deciding to celebrate the former Laker the best way possible.

Bryant has changed the great game of basketball. It saddened me when he announced his retirement after the 2015-2016 season. The Los Angeles Lakers finally came to an agreement on what jersey number should be retired. The franchise has determined that both jersey number 8 and 24, would be retired on Dec. 18.

It doesn’t surprise me. Bryant deserves that, if not more. He has worked hard his entire basketball career. He was drafted right out of high school, and his career statistics are unbelievable. Many believe he is better than Michael Jordan. Even if some don’t believe that, his records speak for themselves.

Bryant was the first player in NBA history to have at least 30,000 career points and 6,000 career assists. He was just the third player in NBA history to average 40 points in a calendar month, which he has accomplished four times. His 81-point game against Toronto on Jan. 26, 2006 was a night my dad and I will never forget! It was the second highest in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain, who has the record of 100 points.

My family, friends and NBA fans around the world were astonished by Bryant’s performance that night. My dad was so excited that he even bought a t-shirt representing Bryant and his 81-point game. I’m not saying Bryant is perfect, but he sure is close to it. He had a gift, and he utilized it well.

Kobe Bryant Opinion

So, I do agree with the Lakers that both numbers should be retired. Bryant started with number 8 and switched to 24 during the middle of his career. It would only make sense that both numbers should be retired. It wouldn’t feel or look right if another player was wearing one or the other. He has worn both jerseys for 10 seasons. He has won three NBA championships with the number 8 jersey and two with 24.

The best thing about this whole situation is Bryant never demanded to have both jerseys retired. He didn’t feel entitled. When the franchise announced that they will be retiring both numbers, Bryant said to ESPN in a news release, “As a kid growing up in Italy, I always dreamed of my jersey hanging in the Lakers rafters, but I certainly never imagined two of them. The Lakers have bestowed a huge honor on me, and I’m grateful for the fans’ enthusiasm around this game.”

Jeanie Buss, the team’s, controlling owner, said “Kobe’s jerseys are taking their rightful home next to the greatest Lakers of all time.” She is correct. Bryant’s jerseys will hang in the rafters with some of the greatest Lakers of all time, such as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal and Jerry West.

I am very pleased with this decision. I’ve been a fan of the Lakers for a while, and so has my dad. I grew up watching him. He has set the tone for other great NBA players doing great things for the league.

I’ve been to a Lakers game once, and I knew something didn’t feel complete about it. Now I know why. The next time I go I’ll be sure to look up at the rafters to see two jerseys from one of the greatest NBA players of all time, in their rightful place.

Fall 2017, Sports

Future of college basketball in need of reform

Mike Krzyzewski says he believes the model of college basketball needs to be changed.

After the FBI released its findings in an investigation citing coaches, agents and high-level employees of Adidas for corruption and bribery, the overall image of college basketball has been tarnished.

Krzyzewski, the head men’s basketball coach at Duke University, explained that not all of college basketball is bad, and not every coach and player is going askew.

I agree with him because times change and recruiting methods differ from years past. Athletes are being sought after as young as middle schoolers and those beginning careers as a high school athlete.

I don’t believe it is a negative situation for players to be recruited early. But there are certain guidelines that should be established and new rules that should be implemented to adapt to the new recruiting styles coaches, shoe companies and schools are using.

Following the investigation, it was reported that some recruits were given more than a $100,000 for their commitment, along with additional benefits and money from Adidas and agents.

Coach Krzyzewski’s comments posed the thought of possibly focusing more on the players and families. He also favored the idea that shoe companies can provide opportunities for players and families.

Athletes follow top programs that can offer them the most opportunities to provide for their families. Many student athletes come from poor backgrounds and struggling families. While recruits taking money to make a decision is wrong, these kids see the opportunity to help their families.

The idea of helping my family who is struggling to make ends meet is more than enough incentive to make a decision of that nature to help my loved ones.

Along with taking money for a number of reasons, these student athletes do not receive a lot in return when they attend class and play throughout seasons.

With the perception of how bad college basketball has become, I believe that with refining the image, allowing players to have more opportunities to receive additional money and help from shoe brands could display the NCAA’s willingness to work with student athletes and their families.

If advances are made to create this type of system that favors student athletes in college basketball, then other collegiate athletes in different sports are going to feel that the same should be done for them.

This might become a big disadvantage for creating this type of system. However, the NCAA should promote an image of wanting the student athlete to thrive and build success out of similar opportunities.

I feel that doing this for all sports will be a big payoff for the NCAA as a whole, not only creating a positive image for college basketball but uplifting the image of all sports in college.

Another advantage of college basketball being revamped in this way is that there will be a decrease in these behind-the-scenes scandals that involve corruption and bribery. Giving more help to players and their families will allow them to succeed and not worry about having to break rules and possibly put their futures and possible livelihoods at risk.

Coach Krzyzewski’s idea of improving the system of college basketball should include the well-being of players and their families.

Fall 2017, Sports

Personal issue becomes reality TV for NFL running back

by DOM PUENTE//Staff Writer

DOM SPORTS OP

Eddie Lacy has continued to receive negative remarks for his weight issues that have become public throughout past seasons.

The former running back for the Green Bay Packers faced criticism for the weight gained the past three seasons. Although he did have two 1,000-yard rushing seasons for the Packers, many critics and fans pointed out that the down fall of his production has been his weight.

While Lacy made the point that he understands the argument that his past coaches and followers made, he reminds his followers in an ESPN article written by Kevin Van Valkenburg that he isn’t ignoring the fact that the low production may be due to his weight.

But in the article, Lacy presents the point that he is only human. I related to this problem Lacy is facing because I understand the frustration of controlling weight issues.

The sports world creates the persona of being a finely-tuned performance machine, when all athletes are actually human and face different issues behind closed doors.

I sympathize with Lacy, because it can be hard controlling weight loss and gain. Tons of people and athletes deal with this type of situation, but the lime light is never cast upon those other athletes because they are over or under weight.

I understand that it is in any team’s best interest to correct any problems in order to get better. But when a head coach and organization such as Green Bay specifically say it is a player’s weight and continues to address it in such a manner, that can be demoralizing for a person.

As a normal non-professional athlete, I would be embarrassed and over-whelmed with the thought of everyone who has social media can continuously make negative comments about my weight or a personal problem I am facing.

Lacy makes that point in the article, mentioning the countless notifications he has received being called “fat” or being body shamed. His weight has been made a focal point of game-day discussions when he steps onto the field on Sundays for his new team, the Seattle Seahawks.

After stepping away from the Packers last season, Lacy felt that things would look up after moving to Seattle. However, I am disappointed with the Seahawks organization for the way they are handling Lacy’s weight problem.

They Seahawks had come to an agreement with Lacy that allows Seattle periodical weigh-ins to keep his weight in check throughout the season. If it was acceptable, Lacy would receive a bonus. However, if he failed, Lacy would see less playing time until his weight was under control.

I can agree with this type of deal if it was kept within the organization. But instead of keeping it in the “house,” the Seahawks and Lacy’s agent openly post updates after he walks off the scale. Lacy says he had presumed that the weigh-ins would stay private, but the organization had other plans.

By having public weigh-ins, it only brings more negativity to an athlete who already is receiving endless amounts of criticism from everyone who has the ability to talk about it on a social networking level.

I see society perceiving professional athletes as having “god-like” abilities when it comes to training, performing, and achieving what we call greatness in the sports world. Yet we don’t notice the flaws of performing at these levels, such as injuries, long-term damage to bodies from playing for years, and, at times, mental wear on athletes.

Sports enthusiasts, do not hear about athletes going through difficult times in their lives, whether it be physical or mental issues until they are past their prime or retired.

For Lacy, he is constantly facing demons night and day because his weight has been made the focal point of his career in the NFL. He achieved great things at Alabama in his college career, which should be an example when future teams are curious about what Lacy can bring to them.

Instead of finding more reasonable solutions to handle Lacy and his weight issues, the Seahawks are publicizing his weigh-ins as if it is reality TV.

At the end of the day, Lacy is one man, one athlete, one human being, who has emotions, feelings, and personal problems he has to deal with each day. Continuing to talk about Lacy and his weight as a casual topic on Sunday mornings, or as a segment on “Sportscenter,” or even as a simple negative post on social media, can take a toll on a person mentally, no matter the status of the individual.

Fall 2017, Sports

Low concession prices surprise fans at new Atlanta Stadium

by NICOLE LOPEZ//Sports Editor

hamburger-fries-drink

In a world where concessions at sports events are over-priced, there is one place that isn’t like the rest.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta is the place to go if you want quality food and drinks for a surprisingly reasonable price. I know the Mercedes-Benz Stadium concession prices isn’t something new, since it was talked about a little last year when the stadium was still being built. But, I don’t think it’s being talked about enough.

I didn’t hear about the low prices until I was watching “Sunday Night Football” when Green Bay was playing Atlanta. The commentators were discussing concession prices, and my parents and I couldn’t believe it.

At the new Atlanta stadium, a regular soda is only $2, with bottomless refills! The price of pizza slices, nachos, and waffle fries prices is $3, and the most “expensive” item on the menu is chicken tenders, which cost $6. Even a 12-ounce can of Bud Light is only $5! That is unheard of, compared to other concession prices at other stadiums.

I remember going to a Los Angeles Lakers game and the food and drinks were very pricey. My husband and I ate before the game, because we both knew the prices were going to be expensive. I’ve also seen the Padres play at Petco Park in San Diego, and concessions there were pricey as well. One beer was around $7, and a soda was around $5. I think a hot dog was around $6.

It’s surprising to think concession stands can actually not be over-priced. It’s blowing my mind every time I think about it. A lot of people may not see this as a big deal, but it is! I’m one of those people who would like to eat at a sports event and not spend $50 on myself while only purchasing three items. The concession stand prices these days are outrageous.

Sports owners need to take notes from Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons, and Rich McKay, president of the Atlanta Falcons. Even though the Falcons may lose revenue on the reduced concession prices, the Falcons organization is expecting the revenue to increase from ticket and sponsorship sales. It’s a good strategy.

McKay told the press in an article that his goal was to “change the concession experience and the way people perceive it” and to “create a core menu that allows a family or a group to go to a game and not have to eat beforehand because the food is so expensive.”

McKay is right. People perceive concession stand prices as costly, and they’re more than likely going to buy food somewhere else before the game. With concession prices alone, organizations are losing money because of the high prices.

If you lower the prices for concessions, more people are going to eat at the concession stand. If all organizations lowered the concession stand prices, they would easily make more money.

I know for sure if I’m ever in Atlanta, I would definitely be attending an event at the new stadium and I wouldn’t hesitate to buy food or beverages from the concession stand either, (and more than likely a beer).

Fall 2017, Sports

NCAA ruining college football with unneeded rules

by DOM PUENTE//Staff Writer

NCAA/

With the college football season in full swing, the NCAA continues to dictate the game with pointless rules and an outdated perspective.

Thousands of sports fanatics tune in to watch college football every year, while the fan base continues to grow with younger generations eager to experience college football.

As I have become one of those young fans who enjoys the game, I feel college football has been lacking an exciting factor to create more order and gain more money for the NCAA.

Through the years, the NCAA has flooded the game of football with rules that do not affect the game in any shape or form.

An example of pointless rules are celebration penalties. A player and a team should not be penalized for celebrating an accomplishment, whether it be a game-deciding touchdown, a tackle that could decide the game’s outcome or even a simple touchdown.

Being told there are only a few ways to display emotions after something big is a disappointing use of power. Having penalties such as excessive celebration and unsportsmanlike conduct due to celebrating can hinder the outcome of a game. The NCAA feels a player is being over the top with his personal expressions, which is a bad look for the game.

Players and coaches may not feel the same way about the type of celebrations being penalized or that they may fall into the gray area for the officials to call. If that is the case, the rules of celebrations should not be as strict or even used.

Younger fans such like me enjoy over-the-top celebrations, as they bring an exciting atmosphere to football. Regulating celebrations is a form of regulating emotions, which should not be a loud. It is a form of excessive power the NCAA uses to take advantage of and holds players back from expressing themselves.

The efforts of making a game safer by implementing rules can create a better game for players and the people participating in football.

The game of football has been played for decades, yet the NCAA continues to flood in rules that hinder the game, as if there are not hundreds of rules already in place in a text book the size of a dictionary.

If rules are continuously being made, they should be placed in an effort to make the game better overall. They should not determine if a player should be penalized for diving into the end zone if no one was near the player.

Rules such as this should be excluded from the game of football. They benefit an era of football that is dead. The older generations loved watching offenses run the “Power-I,” yet it is hardly ever used because the game has adapted and evolved.

I see the game as being outdated, with rules benefiting an older generation who does not appreciate the flair and excitement the players are trying to create.

Change can scare people. However, I am not implying a total makeover of the way the game is played. Creating a better game that appeals to the excitement a younger audience can admire should be a top priority.

When Oregon began their uniform and style transition, players flocked to the university in order to play for the Ducks. They weren’t the best team in the country, yet the style and little change inspired other teams to do the same and change the status quo.

This became an on-going trend that has changed the way coaches recruit and how schools and the NCAA market college football.

With changes such as bright and attention-grabbing uniforms, reformed celebration rules that can keep the audience excited during the game can bring more attention. Having crazy uniforms and celebrating big plays can be perceived as negative, but it is just kids expressing themselves and displaying excitement for their accomplishments after putting in countless hours of hard work.

The game has become a way to make money and bring in sponsors along with marketing opportunities. The focus needs to be shifted back to the players and creating a game that is fun and exciting, while bringing people back for more without questioning the NCAA’s decisions and rules.

After all, the players are what keeps the sport going. That applies to any sport, whether it be men’s or women’s sports in junior leagues, high school, college or the professional level.

We turn our televisions on and flock to stadiums in order to watch athletes play sports. The NCCA might create rules and regulations, but athletes do not have to play.

They can do anything else with their lives, yet they make the sacrifices to play a game that we love to watch. Without the athletes, we don’t have sports, which is a discussion the NCAA needs to have because they are working in their best interests, not for the athletes.

College football players are the reason why colleges have million-dollar facilities, stadiums and bring them schools millions.

While the NCAA meets to discuss rising topics, they need to talk about ways to create a more exciting game for the players, instead of ways to create a game that is already outdated, bland, and dull.

Fall 2017, Sports

NFL players get paid too much money

by NICOLE LOPEZ//Sports Editor

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The NFL season has begun once again, and many people are excited to see how far their team will go this year.

I love watching football, and I know the players work hard for their money. But I can’t help thinking that maybe they make too much of it.

I kept up regularly with the NFL news during the off-season though, since I watch a lot of football.  I remember hearing on ESPN that Matthew Stafford, quarterback for the Detroit Lions, had signed a five-year contract extension worth $27 million per year. This contract made Stafford the highest-paid player in NFL history!

I know this topic has been going on for quite some time now. Many people, including me, feel NFL players get paid too much for what they actually do. I’m not saying what they do isn’t great. But, I’m saying getting paid millions of dollars for playing football shouldn’t be on the highest-paying jobs list.

Doctors, firefighters, and military personnel don’t even get paid that much money, and they’re actually risking their lives every day. Someone can argue that football players risk their lives because of potential injuries, and the long-term effects of playing football can be damaging to their health.  Some of that is true. But, it doesn’t come close to what military personnel go through every day. Military personnel are actually risking their lives on a day-to-day basis. They can end up dying from the work that they do. When is the last time a NFL player died during a game? Doctors and firefighters are saving lives. NFL players aren’t saving lives. They’re saving us from being bored every Sunday, Monday, or Thursday night. But that’s about it.

NFL players might be the best in the world. But, do they really need to be making millions of dollars every year? Stafford is going to be making too much money! That’s more than I can imagine. Also, I don’t think he’s worth the money. I’m not just targeting him, though. I can make any NFL player an example, including my favorite NFL team.

For example, I don’t think quarterback Aaron Rogers should be getting paid a lot either. I think he should be getting paid more than Stafford, but that’s a discussion for another day.

It’s not a favoritism thing. I’m not trying to single anyone out. I love watching the NFL as much as the next person. But maybe they can lower the sum they get paid. I think that’s a great solution. Even though they’re not risking their lives, they do entertain the public, and deserve some amount of money. The NFL team owners should really think about how much they’re paying these players. If we cut some of the players’ salaries, we can use that money for more important things. The money can go to charities, people in need, lower ticket prices, or raise salaries for people who deserve it.

The NFL players play extremely hard, and they do risk their time to play the game we love to watch. I hope maybe someday, though, the NFL owners can see the players are getting paid too much for what they do.

Sports, Spring 2017

Fining NBA coach for opinion hurts league image

by DOMINICK PUENTE//Editorial Assistant

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Having the ability to speak out about problems within different sports should not be hindered by league offices with fines or other punishments to maintain their image.

The NBA recently fined Grizzlies coach David Fizdale after he ranted about the officiating after their first playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs.

After comparing the number of free throws the Grizzlies had with the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard, Leonard had more free-throw opportunities than the entire Grizzlies team.

The league fined Fizdale $30,000 after his rant, which I believe is unnecessary and hurts the league overall.

Whether Fizdale was right about his team being treated unfairly because Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and his team have pedigree, while Fizdale and the Grizzlies are rookies, or just lack the experience, is another topic for debate.

However, fining coaches and players for speaking their mind is idiotic. Coaches and players should have a voice in the organization to express their thoughts about how they are seeing things and what they feel about the league and the officials.

Having these things said can improve the overall shape of the league to suggest improvements, or simply let the league commissioner and office know what needs to be fixed.

As for Fizdale, he should have every right to express his concerns. The league office demands players and coaches have press conferences after games and throughout the season. If the NBA sets those guidelines, coaches and players should have the right to express their feelings on any issue, even if it is expressing disgust toward officiating or the NBA overall.

Although the NBA is a business, the coaches and players should be able to utilize freedom of speech without having to be fined or punished.

Throughout the years, the league has fined countless coaches and players for expressing their thoughts on the NBA. Yet when the league has something to say, whether it be good or bad, no one is looking over the league’s actions.

The league is made up of fully-grown men and women who are educated enough to process situations and come up with their own responses. For an organization to glorify a response from a player or coach who states a positive response, then burn another player for expressing his concerns, is not just.

As for the idea of utilizing criticism from coaches and players to help build the NBA, I think, as a collective whole, the league office is not comprehending how well that could benefit the league and allow more positive outcomes.

Allowing coaches to talk about the concerns of players with the NBA and the overall system should be allowed to better the league, which, in turn, will bring better results and more people to the sport of basketball.

Instead of fining individuals thousands of dollars for their own opinions, the league should consider the criticism as advice or hints to work on what needs to be fixed to create a better system and cohesive organization.

I do understand that Fizdale was fined for ranting about the officiating, while all three officials have officiated more than 400 playoff games combined. There is still room for error in even the most experienced officials.

The difference in the number of free throws does indicate that maybe the officials were not partial to the Grizzlies. While it might not be about pedigree, Fizdale had every right to be upset and should have been able to voice his concerns without receiving a fine so the NBA could save face.

Sports, Spring 2017

MVP race heats up with Westbrook, Harden

by CHANISE RAY//Staff Writer

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Russell Westbrook is one of many obvious picks for the 2017 MVP award in the National Basketball Association.

However, Westbrook, the star guard of the Oklahoma Thunder, has people thinking what will happen if he doesn’t win. Russell Westbrook has had an amazing season so far, which is the reason he is even in the running for MVP. A rival player on the Houston Rockets, guard James Harden, has shown he is not someone to mess with as well. Although there is already talk of Westbrook taking the MVP home, Harden hasn’t shown a hint of dismay and continues to show his dominance early in the playoffs.

Westbrook has continued to amaze me as he breaks records and shows his versatility. He recently broke Oscar Robertson’s NBA record with his 42nd triple-double. However, that may not secure his chances of winning the MVP. I recently saw a stat that the Thunder have won just 55 percent of their games, and no player since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976 has won the MVP award on a team that had a winning percentage less than .561. Reading this made my opinion change about who should be the MVP.

Typically, the MVP is, of course, the most valuable player. But he should be the most valuable for the winning team.

Harden is currently another obvious pick for the MVP this year. Some say he is having one of the best offensive seasons in NBA history, scoring more than 2,000 points, grabbing 600 rebounds, and contributing 900 assists. The Rockets superstar is giving Westbrook a run for his money in the race to the 2017 MVP.

Although the race still seems pretty neck and neck to me, Westbrook’s triple-double feat shouldn’t be taken lightly. Regardless, I do believe that if either one of the amazing athletes that I have mentioned do win the MVP, they will be very well deserving of it. Both Westbrook and Harden have shown incredible strength during this season while playing similar roles for their teams. With the OKC Thunder recently losing their star player, Kevin Durant, to Golden State, you can tell they have suffered from that loss. Pushing forward, Westbrook continues to carry his team on his back.

Harden, on the other hand, has always been the go-to player for the Rockets. His size and structure remind me of a shooting guard. However, the way he handles the basketball is graceful and effective. He uses his speed to attack the basket. Also, he is seen as a threat behind the 3-point line.

Westbrook’s game is quite similar. He also uses his speed to create shots for himself. However, Westbrook seems to be a well-rounded player, being one of the first players to almost average a triple-double.

Amazing enough as that sounds, I wonder who will receive the 2017 MVP. It will truly be a surprise, whoever wins.

Sports, Spring 2017

Sports organizations have right to boycott N.C. bill

by STEVEN GEHEGAN//Sports Editor

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Sports can play an instrumental role in social change, and right previous social injustices.

The state of North Carolina has made news lately for its unjust bathroom bill that has recently been repealed. While there were many reasons for the change, one was sports related. In a smart move by the National Basketball League, the All-Star game was moved out of Charlotte, N. C.  Also, the Atlantic Coast Conference pulled its football and basketball conference championship games from Greensboro, N. C. While moving sporting events out of a state might not seem like a big deal, it cost these cities millions of dollars in lost revenue, because of all the people who flock to the state for the games.

It seems strange that it took North Carolina so long to repeal the bill, because the NBA and the ACC gave the state plenty of time to change the bill. The NBA waited so long that it was starting to get bad press for not moving the All-Star game fast enough, which seems unfair. Changing bills takes time in our system of government, and it was fair for those organizations to give the state time to change the bill, unlike what the National Football League did when moving the Super Bowl out of Arizona serval years ago.

With all the bad press that North Carolina got for that bill, you would think that they would learn their lesson. But it just seems that the state is bitter. There was a new bill just passed that said that the State of North Carolina would pull their funding to the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University if the ACC ever boycotted the state of North Carolina again.

This just seems like a desperate move from a group of angry adults. The ACC has every right to protest a bill that is as unjust as that one. This bill only effects those two university because they are state funded. It would have no effect on Duke University. Since it is privately funded, the state cannot do a thing to them.

This just seems like a petty move that other sports organizations need to do something about. While it may seem like the state has the ACC’s hands tied, and the ACC is moving its championships in football and basketball back to Greensboro in the near future, other leagues can help them out. For one, the ACC may not be able to move the playoff games, but the National Collegiate Athletic Association can. But they seem to care more about money than helping others, so that seems the least likely to happen. But the NBA and the NFL can pull their All-Star and Super Bowl out of the state for as long as the bill remains in place.

The state of North Carolina does not seem to learn its lesson from the past bill. It needs for other people and organizations to help the ACC.

Sports, Spring 2017

Rice speaking out about domestic violence experience

by DOMINICK PUENTE//Editorial Assistant

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With domestic violence and sexual assault cases becoming common in sports across the globe, former Baltimore Raven Ray Rice is attempting to help prevent sexual assault by telling his story.

In September of 2014, Rice was released by his team after a video of him punching his fiancée became public. While being one of the best running backs in the NFL at the time, this incident caused the fall of his career.

After investigations were complete, Rice attempted to get his career back in order and return to the NFL. However, due to sexual assault cases beginning to cause more uproar, teams refused to sign Rice to avoid tarnishing the franchise name.

Three years later, Rice has begun to speak to programs and different schools about the topic of decision making and facing consequences after choosing the wrong path.

Although Rice has faced negative headlines and stories, I believe he has become a better and respectable man for his actions now that he is attempting to help kids learn how terrible sexual assault is and how it can impact lives in a negative way. Not only do these actions affect him, but he has finally understood that what he had done affected the lives of others.

Although people may or may not believe in second chances, the fact that Rice is attempting to help people through his mistakes shows that he deserves to be given a second chance. Few guilty parties of sexual assault can own up to their actions and consequences to talk to young kids to help them before they make the same mistakes he made.

Rice has visited Don Bosco Prep High School in New Jersey recently to talk about his sexual assault incident, and he also has been volunteering at New Rochelle High School in New Jersey for the football team throughout the year.

His message of being able to have quality decision making, along with perseverance, are traits that kids need to be taught at an early age to decrease the chances of sexual assault in the future.

Many athletes who face sexual assault allegations do not go the extra mile past forgiveness and apologizing while continuing their careers in sports. Rice has gone an extra step to talk to college and high school students to spread awareness. Yet when the topic of sexual assault is brought up, Rice is one of the notable people brought up out of hatred and spite.

Whether coaching at Don Bosco High as a running back coach is what Rice wants to do with his life, or returning to the NFL for another shot, he should be granted his wish as long as he stays on a clean path and does not make any more life-changing mistakes.

He has gone out of his way to help shape the minds of young students and athletes while educating the younger generations on sexual assault. Rice is doing more than any other athlete who has been involved in sexual assault.

While sexual assault is an occurring problem, having the ability to prove to the public that he has overcome the obstacles he has faced during the past three years should be good enough to reinstate Rice with the rest of society.

Rice deserves a second chance to do what he wants as a career. Instead of being labeled as a monster, he is attempting to rewrite his legacy in a positive way, and he is proving why he should be thought of as a reformed man.

Sports, Spring 2017

Relocation of Raiders could hurt city of Oakland

by STEVEN GEHEGAN//Sports Editor

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It seems that the National Football League cares more about making money than its fan.

After moving the Rams out of St. Louis to Los Angeles, the league wants to continue to allow teams to move from places with strong fan bases to places where support is nonexistent. Now the NFL is going to move the Raiders from Oakland to Las Vegas. For several reasons, that team will never be able to thrive there.

One reason the move is confusing is the fact that the Raiders are moving to a place where the NFL will not be able to support a team. The city of Las Vegas is the tourist capital, where people go to gamble and have a good time. But people will not come to see any NFL team when going on a vacation. Most people are loyal to a team that they grew up around or an area that they live in. So why put a team in Vegas, where not that many people live in the surrounding area? Vegas is a place for tourists to go.

It could be a fun place for the fans of the visiting teams, but it would seem hard for that team to draw in a home crowd. However, it might be easier for the Raiders to draw fans than the Rams. The Raiders have had more recent success and are projected to be a good team for the next several years with Derek Carr on offense and Khalil Mack on defense. But with Vegas mainly catering to tourists, it would be hard for the Raiders to draw a consistent home crowd like they have in Oakland.

Another problem with moving a team to Vegas would be the issue of gambling. The NFL has always taken a hard stance against sports betting. So it seems strange to put a team in one of the biggest hot spots for gambling. Betting on sports can compromise the integrity of the game. In most areas of the country, it is still illegal to gamble. So why would the NFL want to put a team full of rich players in a town where it can be easy to get carried away? The easier it is to have access to gambling, the more likely players might do it. This could cause problems for the Raiders and the NFL the same way in did in Major League Baseball and for Pete Rose.

Another problem would be mainly for the players mostly. But who would want to live in Vegas? While it may be a cool place to visit, most people would never want to live there. For one thing, the heat is unbearable, plus there is the fact that the city of Las Vegas might not be around in the distant future. A huge city in the middle of the desert is quickly running out of water for the people who live there.

For these reasons, the NFL needs to leave teams in the city that they are thriving in, instead of trying to fit teams in cities they do not belong in.

Sports, Spring 2017

Underrated career of Romo impacts Cowboys franchise

by SERGIO MADRID//Editorial Assistant

Wild Card Playoffs - Detroit Lions v Dallas Cowboys

Underdog. Undrafted. Underappreciated. Underrated. And maybe still underestimated.

The Cowboys have yet to release former starting quarterback Tony Romo, probably holding out for the right deal to be made before the draft. But Romo’s time in Dallas is likely nearing an end.

Growing up Hispanic, you learn to deal with the inevitable. Your sisters are going to watch Selena a million times over, and neither God nor you can do anything about it. When you’re the only boy in the family, your best hope is to have a good male role model to save you from an estrogen-infested home. Lucky for me, I had a couple of uncles to do just that.

My uncles would pick me up, or throw a cookout, and put on the game. More often than not, it was a Dallas Cowboy game.

Another thing about being Hispanic, you have a shortage of guys to idolize and look up to, especially when your favorite sport is football. So, for me, being able to watch a guy such as Romo lead the Cowboys on Sundays was a pretty big deal.

Romo was quick to reach rock star status. Of course, it’s not very hard to do when you’re the starting quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys and you date women the caliber of Carrie Underwood and Jessica Simpson. Even if you’re not a fan, according to guy-code, you’re kind of forced to respect the guy.

But it is not his dating career that makes Romo such a well-respected man in the sports world. It is his heart and commitment to every guy who has shared the field with him.

Romo is, and always has been, a selfless player. He would rather die trying to win the game than sit out one play. So many times Romo went down, only to get back up and save the day with one of his famous, and sometimes not so famous, game-ending drives.

His toughness is a big attribute to his amazing play, though it was also his undoing as Romo has suffered many unfortunate injuries during his career. None sting as much as the collarbone fracture he suffered during a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks last year.

Romo got his shot at starting quarterback through an injury to Drew Bledsoe, where he came in and showed that he gave the Cowboys a better chance to win. It would also be the way he was dethroned by an impressive third-round draft pick from Mississippi Sate.

Dak Prescott, like Romo, was unexpectedly impressive. He played at a veteran level as a rookie and held himself as a true professional. On top of that, Prescott led the Cowboys to a divisional-round showdown against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, the best game of the 2017 NFL playoffs.

Lately, the big talk surrounding Dallas has been their impressive offensive line. But it wasn’t always so. In fact, Romo was one of the voices that convinced Jerry Jones to start using first-round draft picks on linemen to protect him.

Romo spent so many years running for his life and doing everything he could to singlehandedly lead his team to many late-game victories. Now Dallas has a suitable offense, a defense on the rise, and a formidable coaching staff, which is a formula for success in the NFL.

It must be a bitter taste for a competitive guy such as Romo to watch a franchise he’s carried for so long finally get all the pieces to the puzzle, then not be able to fit in the overall picture.

Romo is certainly not a man without his faults. He plays big, so you can expect a lot of good, and just as much bad, from him. In no way am I trying to take anything away from true Cowboy legends Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, two Super Bowl champions who did so much for the franchise. But Romo is the quarterback I grew up watching. To know he will soon be leaving Dallas burns a bit.

Romo is the most exciting, most spontaneous, most courageous player I have ever seen play the game. Wherever he ends up next, I’m sure he’ll do the same. Despite what the naysayers may think, that’s my quarterback.

Sports, Spring 2017

March madness conference bids hinder tourney talent

by STEVEN GEHEGAN//Sports Editor

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With the biggest tournament in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college basketball ongoing, each conference should send its best programs, not those that happen to win a conference’s post-season tournament.

When you use a post-season conference tournament to decide who the automatic bid should go to, this creates several problems that mostly affect smaller schools and conferences. First is the fact that those tournaments can devalue the regular season. This has more affect on smaller conferences, since most fans, like myself, like to watch the games that pit the power conferences against each other, or the major conference that people choose to follow.

These tournaments devalue the regular season for teams in a conference that has only one bid to get into the National Tournament. While this way may seem more entertaining to some, what is the point of the regular season? Why would anyone watch their regular season, or, for that matter, why even play the regular season if the only way to get the bid is to win the conference tournament? If you want the casual fan to start watching these small colleges play, then you are going to have to give them a reason to tune in during the middle of the season.

Another problem with the conference tournaments is the fact that the best team does not always represent the conference. While this may not seem like a major problem to some, it is to those conferences that those colleges represent. If a college wins its conference by multiple games, then it would make sense for that conference to send that school that won the regular-season conference tournament, than that team has an even smaller chance of knocking off a higher seed.

The better the team that makes the NCAA tournament, the better chance that conference or that college will benefit from it, such as the case several years ago when Wichita State University and Creighton University had success in post-season play for the Missouri Valley Conference. This caused the tourney selection committee to take that conference more seriously, and this helped a traditionally one-bid conference to get another one. Then these smaller colleges can get better recruits and even have the programs getting good enough to get into a power conference school, as Creighton did moving from the Missouri Valley Conference to the Big East Conference.

  There are a lot of good smaller college teams that do not get a chance to get into the big tournament every year because of these useless conference tournaments. I do not believe in getting rid of them. I believe that non-power conferences should take a cue from what the Ivy League Conference used to do, which is give the automatic bid to the team that won the conference in the regular season.

If these non-power conference colleges want to gain more attention, then they need to give automatic bids to the conference’s best team, not the team that won the conference tournament.      

Sports, Spring 2017

Calipari upset with practice of early season firings

by DOMINICK PUENTE//Editorial Assistant

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With March Madness approaching for men’s basketball, Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari recently made his opinion clear about colleges firing coaches midway through the season.

With a disappointing season for the NC State men’s basketball program, the university came to a decision in late February to fire Head Coach Mark Gottfried.

A few days after the firing, Calipari gave his opinion on firing a head coach mid-season saying, “You can fire me at mid-season, but you’re going to have to pay me $3 million. Oh, you’ll let me stay now, won’t you?”

I understand the matter of backing your counterparts, whether you are a coach vouching for a coach, or players doing the same thing for each other. However, Calipari does not seem to be worried about the future of the NC State players, just the coaching lifestyle.

It is for that reason that I could care less about the future of Gottfried, because he will find a new home at a quality college. Coaches make more than enough to support their families, along with their expensive and luxurious habits, while athletes are told that attending a university is a big enough reward.

If that is the case, then coaches should be happy coaching with a teacher’s salary, because it is an honor to be a part of the program.

I respect coaches and their choice to help young men and women grow as adults, but Calipari is already being paid millions. Saying that additional millions should be required on coaching contracts if they are fired is beyond ridiculous and ignorant.

Coaches will move to other programs. That will be the case for Gottfried, and he has accomplished great things at NC State and has built an amazing resume.

He will find a job and should not receive a “bonus” just because he was let go by the university for not seeing eye-to-eye at that moment.

Also, there is a different culture between Calipari and the rest of the coaches within the NCAA. Calipari has built the Kentucky basketball program to where he would not have to go out and recruit through the country. He could send the top athletes in the country a full-ride scholarship, and that would be the process.

Speaking on behalf of all the coaches is not right. Calipari is nowhere near the same level as other coaches with the luxuries of basketball he has obtained from a winning program.

Every coach is expected to create winning seasons and championship-caliber teams every year. Universities understand that there may be a rebuilding process or a few years to grow an experienced team.

However, some of these contending teams have made winning seasons out of sub-par players and experience. But Calipari does have it easier with an advantage of attracting five-star athletes with ease.

Calipari can vouch for other coaches, but he is the one with the best recruits and millions on his contract. All coaches make more than enough to live and will find jobs when they are let go or move on.

While people feel sorry for the coaches making millions and the universities making millions, players continue to sit on the side and not even see a penny.