I spent 14 years as a college football coach and another couple of decades as CEO, sales manager and salesperson in various organizations. Here’s why I felt it necessary to tell you that.

Click the green play button above to listen to Dan Hawkins’ Tirade

Apparently Dan Hawkins, Head Football Coach at Colorado (yes, the same zen-seeking guy who was at Boise State) lashed out recently about an anonymous letter he had received about his players having a two week hiatus before practice started instead of the usual three.

Here’s the deal. Division I athletes receive tuition, room, board, books, workout clothes, accolades, academic advisement, career counseling, public adoration, etc., etc., etc. Unfortunately, the same is not true for other students at the university. The last time I checked very few salespeople got all of that either. In fact, the two weeks these athletes had off didn’t include Christmas break, Easter or spring breaks, reading days, scattered holidays throughout the year, etc.

Ah, the college life, what a gig! The people who don’t get any time off are the coaches who recruit, plan, meet, attend clinics, coordinate fundraising, coach the players, supervise off season workouts, etc. etc. College students (even athletes) go to class merely several hours each day, don’t work on weekends and frankly most (or their parents) have to kick in the tuition, room, board and expenses on their own.

Our two sons both chose to attend private colleges. Each did well and my wife and I have spent in excess of $400,000 for all of this expense. Any scholarship money? I don’t think so.

The problem? Here it is. And it isn’t about two versus three weeks. It’s the hand-holding, artificial world creation, “molly coddly,” and free ride that the athletes get from the time they are initially recruited until the time their eligibility runs out. Then they try to go and get a job (since very few even come close to the NFL) - only to find out that they must now pay for their own meals, for their own lodging and their own expenses. And that the tuition they pay is going to be extremely expensive – it’s gaining experience, insight and seasoning. Unfortunately, they are no longer handled as they had been in the past. For some it’s a shock. And, by the way, they may only start out with one week’s vacation. Ah, ain’t that a shame?

Submitted by:

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading …