Here we are. Over a week past the election. I think it’s about time I relax, take a deep breath and start complaining about something other than politics. For me, the next logical step is sports. When I first sat down to write this article, though, I struggled to find something that I could realistically malign for 500-900 words. I mean, things have been pretty good lately. The Packers are 6 and 3 and they just finished putting the smackdown of the century on the Bears, which I’m sure made Jay Cutler feel nothing because it’s clear by his play and demeanor that neither the city of Chicago nor the sport of football mean anything to him. On top of that, while the Badgers suffered a couple disappointing losses to start the season, it’s hard to complain when they’ve won four straight in decisive fashion and have a player with a realistic chance of winning the Heisman
Continuing, Bret Bielema’s Razorbacks still haven’t won a game in SEC play (#karma). Beyond this, basketball is back, which I love. I’m not a huge fan of the Bucks, but hey, they just won consecutive games for the first time in 602 days, and that’s something to hang your hat on. Finally, not to be forgotten, Badger Basketball officially returns Friday when they will unveil their Final Four banner.
So it seems like there’s nothing to complain about, right? That’s what I thought until I stumbled across a news story from a couple weeks ago. It seems our very own lovable, funny man, Nigel Hayes, has jumped onto a lawsuit seeking to gain compensatory rights for collegiate football and basketball players. As much as this bothers me, I guess I really shouldn’t complain as being pissed off about something is really a godsend for opinion writers. I shouldn’t, but I will.
Let’s get one thing straight, Division I athletes that are on scholarship are being compensated. Depending on the university, that compensation could be in the range of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even if an athlete is not on scholarship, they are still being given privileges and benefits that are not granted to normal students (hereafter referred to as muggles).
Nigel, and the other athletes involved in this lawsuit, I understand what you’re saying. I understand how much money you bring into your universities and their athletic programs. I understand that you feel like you are being deprived of something you have worked to achieve. But Nigel, if you’re biggest problem right now is that you want to be sitting on a couple million before you make more millions in the NBA, that makes it really hard for muggles like me to empathize with your cause.
Right now, you are going to one of the best universities in the country, and you’re doing so for free. So, hunker down, practice hard and play well. Do that and you will make it to the next level and start to make the money that I agree you deserve.
Other than that, life is pretty good for a Wisconsin sports fan. But I don’t want to jinx anything by being too happy. So I guess I’ll just say: Rodgers should really bring back his fumanchu. I miss that fumanchu.
What’s your take on compensating collegiate athletes? Do you agree that what they already receive is good enough? We’d like to hear from you. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
