whichever side you want to take, I was always better at coaching than playing….lol….I also was just not fast enough.

A normal person does not do that to a 9 yr old girl.

For some reason, that sentence kind of stood out……

What is it that you see happening to the sport that makes you sick. When I watch a basketball game, there are no agents or whatever interrupting the play to negotiate a contract; there are simply ten guys playing ball against each other. I also don’t understand why everyone bemoans the one and done rule. The NBA and the union agreed that it is best for the professional game if all players got some seasoning/maturing in them before suiting up (I happen to agree with that).

The kids don’t have the “right” to play in the NBA. It is a job and if the employer wishes to set an age limit then he can. The kid can play elsewhere until he hits the correct age. Frankly, I think the one and done rule not only benefits the NBA, but benefits the kids if they would take advantage of that year (or two or more) by going to school and growing up a little and seeing what the world is like. So, what exactly are you upset about and what kind of changes are you proposing?

The boys in blue play good ball, have fun, and are beaming with pride over the name KENTUCKY stamped on their chest, I’ll be heppy. All the rule makers be damned!!

would likely destroy College athletics and therefore [insert your team here] in it’s wake, is why most fans choose to ignore the horrendously ugly side of this business and just enjoy the entertainment value of it.

Then there is the fact that most people still believe in the altruistic notion of school spirit, amateurism, sock-hops, malts and drive-ins. In other words, this crap isn’t on the radar of most sports fans. If you care that the kids are getting screwed in this process, well…welcome to the minority.

its not EXACTLY what I am talking about but very close. I know NASCAR and basketball are not the same but hey, I may be nuts.

With the advent and enthusiasm surrounding the broadcasting of sporting events, whether by radio or tv, marketing the events has become a billion dollar business with multiple groups cashing in.

Fear not, there are still many players, Patterson to name one, who still enjoy the college experience for what it is and what it represents. All of them aspire to play in the pros while many realize that the odds are against them and take advantage of the scholly bestowed upon them.

I would think that an athlete that doesn’t feel certain that a professional career in their sport is feasable might try the marketing end of it. They have an in-depth knowledge of the sport and obviously, the money is good.

Just remember to keep buying that brand though, for it is just as important these days as the play on the field/court/pool/track/etc. With better brand recognition you can often acquire better athletes to perpetuate the cycle. Why else has UK been getting such good TV gigs (slight decline recently,yes) if it weren’t for it’s EXPANSIVE network of fans who often and for no reason buy anything that has the UK logo with a wildcat on it? Count me as guilty! :) Hell, I’ve even bought stuff just because it happened to be the RIGHT kind of blue!

All in all, it IS a distressing thing to see the predatory side of a sport. Some of the actions by the folks engaged in those activities can wrench your guts. You just have to remember that there ARE good folks out there who care about the sport and DO try to safeguard its integrity. WIth the shrinkage of newspapers and the popularity of internet media, not too many things will get by the public. Rumors fly faster and burn deeper trails than ever before. Much of the investigative legwork by national media types can be easily started with online blogs, journals, community chatrooms, etc. Find a rumor and begin the official inquiries.

Nice to see you care and like ontherocks said….welcome to the minority. :)

GO BIG BLUE!