Just What is A Student Athlete?

       Ever wonder how college athletes are able to keep up with practice schedules and classroom schedules at the same time? The old story of taking easy, no work subjects isn't just a myth. In fact two former athletes from the University of North Carolina are suing their alma mater for failing to give them meaningful educations for their services. The thing is, they didn't get paid either directly or by providing them with an education that would have any meaning for their futures, according to a New York Times article today.
       So when you go to college and take classes that don't require any work or even that you show up for classes, mainly because no classes are scheduled, they're a fraud foisted on an unsuspecting student. Of course these courses are a good deal for the college since there's almost no cost associated with the offerings. The only costs are the printing costs, the paper used and the mention of the courses in their list of required subjects needed for graduation.
       It's like some online schools that will mail you a diploma for a price. Or organizations that will appoint you to be as licensed minister of the faith, again for a cost. Now. it's becoming public knowledge that prestigious colleges are basically doing the same, but instead of charging a fee, they're getting free athletic skills  to earn the school a high income.
       But don't fault the universities, not even the NCAA or the conferences, because it's simply the American way. Just screw anybody you have to in order to succeed. After all, in the end, the end justifies the means. And what is the end, you may ask? The end is money, lots of money, in your pocket. Well that and a degree of power. So ya see, college is just a business after all. Profits and losses, quarterly reports and CEO compensation.
       And what about the employee, the athlete? What about them indeed. They're no different than the lowly corporate employee. Keep them under foot and brook no nonsense from them. But colleges have an even tighter grip on these athletes, They can't easily transfer to another school. And if they do, what difference will it make to the student? None.