College Sports in 2011: Where Did We Go Wrong?

As the NCAA Tournament concludes this weekend, it offers an opportunity to think, reflect and wonder about the state of college sports in this day and age.

Tell me what comes to mind when you hear these names and teams: Cam Newton, Jim Tressel, Jim Calhoun, North Carolina Football, Southern Cal Football, Bruce Pearl, The Fiesta Bowl, A.J. Green,  and out of sheer history John Calipari.

Disturbing isn't it? The sad thing is I left out others, but you get the point.

This is what college sports have come to:

 Damn integrity! Damn Academic Fraud! Damn Illegal Benefits! I WANT MY TEAM TO WIN!!!

One could blame so many for this: the NCAA (isn't everything their fault?), Conferences, School Administrators, Boosters (make that Boo$ter$), Coaches, TV Networks, the Athletes themselves; there's a slice of Blame Pie here for all.

Maybe, just maybe, the problem begins with each and everyone of us as a fan.

I don't like that one anymore than you, but maybe we as fans of our schools put pressure on all of the aforementioned to win at all costs, that we may have started or at least not slowed the chain of thinking that has led us to waiting for the next report of a school facing an investigation.

Has our desire to trash-talk, buy our team merchandise with "Champions" on it and see our team hoist a trophy trumped our sense of right and wrong? Has it trumped our memory that these "players" are still students? Has it trumped our belief that Coaches' primary focus is to make these athletes better people before making them better pro prospects?

Do you ever wonder what it would be like if ESPN showed a team's Overall GPA instead of their Overall Win-Loss Record?

There really is no easy solution to fixing the cesspool that major college athletics has become.

Maybe it should start with every fan contemplating this thought:

"When you sacrifice your integrity to win, you have already lost."

How did College Basketball exist before Charles Barkley's commentary?

Love him, hate him, agree with him, disagree with him, laugh with him, laugh at him. Charles Barkley's commentary during this tournament has been an added bonus of Turner's role in the new TV coverage.

Although he may be controversial with his views on, well anything, one has to respect the conviction and humor that Sir Charles brings to the studio. Whether he is criticizing The Big (or "Little") East, One-And-Done Players or the number of hours in the studio during early rounds, Barkley always keeps things interesting. What is incredibly appealing is the candid honesty he adds to the coverage. He has no problem offending Rick Pitino on national television or causing cringes from producers and is hilarious in either capacity.

Many people may dislike him for not always being politically correct on camera, but there are many more who appreciate him for the same reason.

Barkley is to March Madness what Dennis Miller was supposed to be for Monday Night Football...the voice of the fan. 

Mark Cuban warned us...

Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has been guilty of saying many "interesting" quotes over the years. However, last January when the NFL scheduled the Cowboys/Eagles Playoff Game in Dallas opposite of a Mavericks home game, Cuban gave us this gem:

"I know we're just little piss ants compared to the NFL, but seriously, the NFL is turning into the ugly American of sports leagues; they don't give a crap about anybody but themselves."

Ironic that a man named Cuban would use the term "ugly American" but he then followed with the prophetic warning: "It'll come back to haunt (the NFL) someday."

Perhaps now we have arrived at that day. In a time where Americans pay $3.50+ for a gallon of gas, struggle to support families and pay bills, the NFL is experiencing a lockout because billionaires and millionaires are squabbling over who can fill already over-flowing bank accounts more. These same Americans just want to enjoy the sport that takes their minds off daily struggles, not have it taken away by those who could never or no longer have to understand them. One could fairly say that right now the owners and players of the NFL "don't give a crap about anybody but themselves."

This internal struggle may be what finally kills the great empire that is the NFL's popularity and somewhere in Dallas, Mark Cuban is smiling.

Welcome

This is a blog from a Sports fan. My name is Michael, from North Carolina and I will discuss everything from the NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR, College Sports, editorials, etc. You will see my predictions, opinions and reflections on all things Sports. I welcome any and all feedback (keep it clean please) that you would like to share.

I will post multiple times a week about whatever is relevant in the world of sports that week.

So welcome and enjoy some "Uncommon Sense."