Thinking out loud: Thoughts on NCAA ruling this week

Thinking out loud…while wondering where we've heard of Lenoir-Rhyne before this past weekend…

• Is this the end of 'amateurism' as we presently know it?

• Or has it already left us, and we're just now figuring that out?

• The NCAA this week formally moved toward athlete compensation – allowing student athletes to be paid for sponsorships and endorsements beginning as early as 2021.  The proposals will be voted upon by membership in January.

• The working group committee deciding on what can and can't be done – including Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman – recommends student athletes can be paid for selling autographs, memorabilia and personal appearances, without the appearance of any school logo or branding.

• All financial terms must be disclosed to athletic departments before a deal can be reached, or the athlete risks eligibility.  Most likely, campuses will need to add to their compliance staffs in order to research and regulate fair-market prices to restrict potential abuse.

• Athletes may also hire agents to help them with marketing deals, but not to seek pro sports opportunities.  Expect a ceiling or a 'cap' on potential earnings by athletes as well.

• Too much here?  Or not enough and long overdue?  And what happens when a star player earns more than a coach?

• I can see both sides to this.  First, college athletics is a multi-billion dollar industry today.  It seems fair to allow those who have had this empire built upon their backs (and thousands of others) share in at least some of the gain.

• But John Q. Public really doesn't know what the overall value of a scholarship means these days, either.  It goes well beyond simply paying for tuition, books, room and board.  Training.  Tutoring.  Private coaching.  Facility use.  Travel.  Swag – tons of swag.  All things a typical student usually can't take advantage of for personal consumption.

• It's probably time, however, for the NCAA to move along into the 21st century.  We don't live in the 1970's, '80's or even '90's…despite the words that often come from my fingertips.  There is more to offer student athletes today – so putting it simply, they should now have the opportunity to reap at least some of the millions they sow.

• The NCAA is now turning to Congress to ask for assistance in creating national guidelines, so states don't have different laws governing these new standards…which also includes boosters providing endorsement money to athletes, provided it isn't used for recruitment.

• Yeah, right.  Like that'll never happen.  America, we'll have a problem, won't we?

• Plus, there will be a much greater inequity between male and female student athletes, with males undoubtedly receiving the majority of sponsorship opportunities.  Title IX can't save the ladies.

• As for the immediate eligibility for first-time transfers, that new rule could still be voted upon in May…despite last week's mention of pushing the vote out to membership in January of 2021, and the DI Board of Directors recommending against approval.  For now.  A potential vote by the Division I Council could still come on May 20th.

• Both PC and URI stand to gain considerable depth on their men's basketball rosters for next season should the first-year transfer eligibility rule pass, and not have the vote delayed until January.

• The ProJo's Kevin McNamara has been covering the Friars and college hoops for nearly as long as I have – more than 30 years.  This week, in its' infinite wisdom, newspaper ownership let him go.  I get it, considering the climate, but then again I don't. 

• Full disclosure – Kevin is a friend, a co-host (for the syndicated This Week in the Big East) and one-time neighbor.  But our loss is certainly going to be someone else's gain.

• My goodness.  So happy – and relieved – to read the news first reported by KMac that URI radio analyst Don Kaull and his wife Caroline are recovering well from their battle with COVID-19.  

• And the same for long time Pawsox official scorer and RIIL official Bruce Guindon and his wife Jo-Ann, per Brendan McGair of the Pawtucket Times.  Please be safe out there.

• A 2019 study from Temple University found that nearly one-quarter of Division I athletes in this country were suffering from "food insecurity" during any given month.  In other words, outside of campus capabilities or training tables, many student athletes were actually going hungry.

• Can you imagine this problem improving itself during the pandemic?  And what about the thousands of athletes at Divisions II and III? 

• They have Daishen Nix.  Jalen Green.  Isaiah Todd.  But the G League is not a threat to the college game.  A select team might pull a few talented players away prematurely from college basketball, but those that decide to go probably weren't long for the rah-rah of a campus, anyway. 

• The overwhelming majority of good-to-great players still want to play in the NCAA Tournament, or at least have the chance to do so.  One shining moment is still a carrot-on-the-stick for many.

• If an athlete is good enough to 'go pro,' right out of high school, more power to them.  And yet, mistakes will still be made.

• If college basketball figures out a way to help players who make mistakes with their decisions – and they should – college hoops should survive quite nicely.  After all, college is for discovery, for growing up, for learning.  And for making mistakes. 

• Athletes should be afforded the same privileges as anyone else within the student body.  See above, concerning their ability to have and hold a side hustle.

• Ya' know…players who are selected for the NHL Draft don't give up their amateur status – they can keep skating for their college teams.  That would be one great place for hoops to start.  Make all players eligible to be drafted, with the option to keep playing/training/learning with their college teams.  Be smahtah.

• The Big East, Atlantic-10 and Colonial Athletic Association are in preliminary discussions on a regional scheduling alliance for next year, in an effort to alleviate potential travel costs, primarily within secondary sports.

• From the defensive line at Brown, to fan favorite/cult hero in New England…that was some ride James Develin had.

• Through the Arena League, the defunct UFL (UFL?), to the Bengals and eventually the Patriots?  Disney might not accept this movie script for its unbelievability.

• No doubt the Patriots' running game suffered last season, in part because Develin wasn't in the backfield due to the neck injury that forced him into retirement this week.

• It's also why Dan Vitale was signed from Green Bay to play fullback in this off-season. 

• Praised by both Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, Develin's day has finally come after three Super Bowl rings and a Pro Bowl.  Max results for max effort.  A great story has found an end.

• Not for nuthin', but the only times the Patriots haven't reached the SB since 2014 are when Develin was hurt. 

• But perhaps another story is just beginning.  Brown defensive lineman Michael Hoecht signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams, and being a native Canadian he's also a prime target within the CFL.

• Did the Patriots' draft surprise you?  Make you tingle with excitement?  Of course not.  Really, but when has it ever done that, especially in recent memory?

• New Patriot LB Josh Uche's high school coach was none other than Bryant's current head coach, Chris Merritt, at Miami's Christopher Columbus High School.

• I'm giving rookie-to-be kicker Justin Rohrwasser the benefit of the doubt on his controversial tattoo.  He's a kid.  Kids do dumb things.  So do a lot of adults.  He's been contrite about it.

• Funny how it apparently was NEVER previously an issue in Huntington, WV at Marshall.  Or, while in Kingston, RI at URI for two years, either.

• Really big ups to Rhody football on their huge weekend – WR Isaiah Coulter drafted by Houston in the 5th round (the 1st URI draftee in 34 years), with WR Aaron Parker (Dallas) and OL Kyle Murphy (NY Giants) signing free agent deals.

• Sixteen straight years that a UDFA has reached the Patriots' final roster.  Who ya' got for this season?  BC TE Jake Burt and Arkansas LB De'Jon "Skuta" Harris may have the early lead in the clubhouse, based on their signing bonuses.

• Is there a big FA hire on the horizon?  Still think if they believe they can win this year, Cam Newton is the guy to drive the bus.  Not Andy Dalton.  Someone will figure this out.  Might as well be the Pats.

• As you might expect, the NFL Draft had a ratings bonanza – an average of 15.6 million viewers tuned into the 1st round from start to finish, smashing the previous record of 12.4 million in 2014.

• And yet, while the league continues its' Kevin Bacon-in-Animal-House-like "all is well!" pronouncement, the NFL is slashing salaries and implementing furloughs for employees in an effort to cut costs.

• Anyone else getting the feeling they ain't tellin' us somethin'? The regular season schedule is still set to be released on or about May 9th. 

• No real surprises on the Patriots all-decade team for the 2010's, released this week.  As a voter, the biggest issue seemed to come from including Danny Amendola as a receiver over LeGarrette Blount as a running back. 

• Blount scored 34 TD's during the decade, 18 in 2016 alone, which led the NFL.  Amendola scored 12 over his five seasons in New England.  Amendola got the slot.  Apples and oranges?

• The longer this 'thing' goes on, more and more people will be touched by the humanity of it all.  Include Pro Football and Patriots' Hall of Famer Andre Tippett in this group, as he lost both his mother and stepfather to complications from the coronavirus this week.

• The NBA says it's opening some training facilities, but probably not until the week of May 8th.  And even that date isn't firm, largely due to differences in when states will reopen for business.

• You don't want it, I don't want it.  But it's best to get ALL of this behind us, isn't it?  2020 should be toast.  We've all been burned in some form or fashion.

• The only reason – and I mean ONLY reason – we haven't moved on to next year in the NBA and NHL already…is $$$.  The commissioners, the leaders – they're businessmen, first.  Remember that.

• The Last Dance, Week 2 (Episodes 3 & 4) continued with strong overall ratings, nearly as high as Week 1.  For ESPN, it is their most-watched original content in 16 years.

• Could you keep up with Dennis Rodman and Carmen Electra on 'vacation' in Vegas?  Highly doubtful…but you'd like to try, amiright?

• If you watched the first two episodes, you remember the tale of MJ and Danny Ainge on the golf course before Jordan scorched the C's for 63 in the '86 playoffs?  Long time Boston Herald and Celtics' beat reporter Mike Carey was in that foursome.  He passed away this week.

• Carey also wrote the recently-published book about PC's Marvin Barnes, "Bad News."  He was a friend of Marvin's for many years, through the ups and numerous downs.  It is a fascinating, and eye-brow raising read.  God speed, Mike.

• Brown President Christina Paxson wrote an op-ed for the New York Times this past week, calling for reopening colleges and universities this fall to be a 'national priority.' 

• Best thing I've seen in the NYT in months, maybe years.

• Harvard answered that call by saying they will reopen for the fall, albeit with contingency plans for remote learning if needed or required.

• The NCAA rejected a request by the Group of Five conferences (including the American) that would temporarily allow some schools to go below the minimum requirement of 16 varsity-sponsored sports on their campuses in order to save money.  

• Good call on that one, regardless of financial situations.  Any sport cut from any campus is highly unlikely to ever start up again – once it is gone.

• Atlantic-10 Commissioner Bernadette McGlade this week updated the contingencies within her league for the fall, including plans for moving seasons around and possible cancellations altogether.  The A-10 is definitely a jet-league, with teams covering seven states and DC.

• The Big East has these issues as well.  Neither conference is in a no-fly zone, for certain.  Right, Creighton?

• If JetBlue is now requiring all passengers to wear face masks for air travel on its' planes, shouldn't all airlines follow suit?  In theory, couldn't we get back to whatever 'normal' is a bit sooner this way – short term pain, long term gain?

• Major props to Providence AD Bob Driscoll, named this week as the Division I-AAA (non-football) Athletic Directors' Association Builders' Award honoree.  "Bob the Builder" has orchestrated athletic facility construction on campus, overseen improvements within the classroom (combined GPA 3.22), and assisted with community service outside of the campus, too. 

• The Friar basketball team also wrapped up its' team honorees for the recently (non) completed season, including Emmitt Holt (Unsung Hero), Kalif Young (Marvin Barnes Defensive Player), the Friar Fanatics' student group (Duffy Dwyer Fans of the Year) and both Alpha Diallo and Luwane Pipkins (Jimmy Walker MVP).

• The Men's Basketball "Donors of the Year" are Bill and Stephanie Kalogredis.  Bill is a '71 PC grad, and also a Villanova season ticket holder.  Don't judge, he does bleed black and white.

• Big pick up for UConn hoops next season, with James Bouknight's decision to return.  If fully healthy, the Huskies look like an upper-half team in next seasons' 11-team Big East.

• Creighton's Damien Jefferson has announced for the NBA Draft, but is keeping open an option to return.  If he leaves, the Jays could lose three potential starters from next years' team.

• Georgetown has picked up two grad transfers for next year, point guard Jalen Harris from Arkansas and 6-7 wing Chudier Bile from Northwestern State in Louisiana, by way of Bradley.  They are losing Omer Yurtseven to the draft after just one season and may also lose Mac McClung.

• The outpouring of praise and sympathy last week following the passing of long time Johnston, RI coach Dan Mazzulla was an example of his life presence here.  His son Joe's eulogy (now an assistant with the Celtics) was touching.  His youngest son Justin currently plays at Vermont. 

• And Coach Mazzulla's passing came just after the news of Armand Batastini's death.  Batastini coached youth basketball in Providence for more than 60 years, and his daughter Christina was a two-time player of the year who moved onto Stanford and the professional ranks.  Two titans, indeed, in a small-but-hoop-crazy state.

• While the PGA will re-start next month, the Northeast Amateur at Wannamoisett in Rumford, RI will not…for the first time in the 58-year history of one of amateur golf's premier events.

• So disappointing is the news of the Cape Cod League shutdown this summer.  The league executive committee voted late last week to not play this season, the first time summer baseball won't be on the Cape since 1946.  The plan is, however, to bounce back in 2021 after a 22-month "off season."

• Other summer leagues have yet to reach final decisions on playing, including the NECBL and the Futures Collegiate Summer League.  Both are delaying starts to their seasons, but this week both report they remain hopeful of playing.

• The Little League World Series also announced a shutdown, which is especially unfortunate around here. RI teams have won the New England region and played in Williamsport, PA six times in the past nine years, and Barrington LL won't have the chance to defend its' NE crown.

• Look at it this way – at least no one will be able to scream at ESPN for exploiting 12-year-old kids again…like you hear every year.  Stupid is as stupid does.

• Like the plan MLB came out with this week – three regional "divisions" of 10 teams each and no traditional AL or NL, with no fans to start?  I do.  Better than no baseball at all, and reduced travel theoretically should increase safety for players, team officials and media. 

• The season could start in late June or around July 4th – which is about the time a traditional season really begins to have meaning, anyway…doesn't it?  Just sayin'.

• If you still want a refund for any tickets purchased, MLB is now 'allowing' teams to offer them…thanks in large part to that class-action suit filed in California last week.  But, they don't have to, so…good luck with that.

• The Final Season That Never Was, and May Never Be.  The Pawsox farewell at McCoy has really turned into a virtual kick-in-the-teeth on their way out the door, hasn't it?

• To their credit, they have continued to contribute to the community in several ways – feeding hospital workers and first-responders, families in need and providing gear for medical use. 

• But their new Worcester home, Polar Park, may not be ready in time for 2021 with pandemic-related delays.  Would Pawtucket – or Rhode Island – even want them back temporarily? 

• Would you?

• Lenoir-Rhyne University, located in Hickory, NC and alma mater of Patriot top draft pick Kyle Dugger, is also the former school of ex-Providence basketball coach Rick Barnes…now at Tennessee.  But you knew that already, didn't you?

• Interested in having your questions on local Rhode Island sports (and yes, that includes the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics, whenever they play again) answered in a somewhat timely fashion? Send 'em to me! It's your chance to "think out loud," so send your questions, comments and local stories to jrooke@weei.com. We'll share mailbag comments/Facebook posts/Tweets right here! Follow me on Twitter, @JRbroadcaster…and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/john.rooke ...

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