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TechnographUnwritten code of college athletics
By The Daily Texan, U-Wire
Posted: 5/12/08 Section: Opinion Columns
The institution of college athletics is in need of major reform. The control that athletics has over the media and universities as a whole only perpetuates the sometimes higher-than-the-law attitudes of players and unfair practices of athletics officials. Sports officials such as Bianco and Gundy dedicate their energy to keeping players on their pedestals, but their vengeance only creates a facade to mask the underlying, decrepit institution of college athletics. Last month, Texas Tech student newspaper The Daily Toreador reported that Tech overspent its travel budget to the Gator Bowl by more than $200,000, and officials were demanding higher travel allowances. The Longhorns went $68,850 over their travel allowance for the 2007 Pacific Life Holiday Bowl in San Diego. According to UT athletics' financial report for that trip, the team spent $38,117 on awards, $94,760 on complimentary tickets and $275,109 in supplemental staff pay - plus $17,618 on entertainment alone. And, the team's total spendings on that trip were $550,000 more than that of the band and cheerleaders. It's no wonder that athletics officials think they are invincible from the media and that some players seem to think they are invincible from the law.
A select few UT athletes enjoy a luxurious life of private cars and charter planes instead of buses and coach class. They are held to different admissions and academic standards than many fellow athletes and peers, and much recognition and revenue is dependent on their talent. But their actions have the potential to tarnish the image of UT athletics as a whole.
Even with the rash of arrests in the past year, University athletics programs will be harbingers of money and fame regardless of whether they give access to the media, which points to an unfortunate truth: They don't need journalists, but journalists need them - and in this type of relationship, it's the public that suffers the most in that it is less likely to get the truth beyond what happens on the field.
A select few UT athletes enjoy a luxurious life of private cars and charter planes instead of buses and coach class. They are held to different admissions and academic standards than many fellow athletes and peers, and much recognition and revenue is dependent on their talent. But their actions have the potential to tarnish the image of UT athletics as a whole.
Even with the rash of arrests in the past year, University athletics programs will be harbingers of money and fame regardless of whether they give access to the media, which points to an unfortunate truth: They don't need journalists, but journalists need them - and in this type of relationship, it's the public that suffers the most in that it is less likely to get the truth beyond what happens on the field.
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