Remember when you viewed, read about, or attended a sporting event to escape “the news?”
Now, unfortunately, sports are often “the news.”
Whether it’s lawsuits, athletes being arrested, gambling scandals, or threatened work stoppages, the fun of sports is being drained away.
It’s sad but, it’s a reality.
I’ve shared before that I was an equipment manager for the University of Kansas football team while in college. I received a monthly stipend, overtime pay during preseason, a per diem when we traveled and was eligible for in-state tuition.
I got more out of the program than many of its players. I’ve always supported compensation for college athletes, and those dollars should not be restricted by presidents, Congress or boosters.
However, the merry-go-round of transfers which leads to players playing for four teams in four years or players being eligible for six or seven years and playing until they are in their mid-20s must end.
Last week, the NCAA approved a major change to athlete eligibility. It made the news, but I think was underreported.
Players will now be granted five years of eligibility to be completed within five years of high school graduation or an athlete’s 19th birthday, whichever comes first. It is just a matter of time until this is challenged in a courtroom, but it is worth the fight.
Several college athletes have successfully sued to remain in college and play a sport not only for wins, but for the money. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss won an additional year of eligibility by suing the NCAA over a medical waiver.
Learning a valuable lesson, the NCAA wants to end judging athletes on individual cases – likely because it keeps losing. Instead, there is now a blanket policy.
Seeing that African American players are the respective anchors of Power 4 conference college football and basketball, this new rule will have a major impact on Black families.
The education of young Black players must begin now. It should begin with parents and include coaches and administrators.
The clock is ticking faster now on college eligibility and the irresponsible action of moving from team to team for a few dollars or a shallow reason will be more difficult.
The money will still be there, but the mobility will not. Seemingly never-ending college careers are also rightfully coming to a close.
Black athletes should get all they can when they can, but they must realize this train is coming to a stop sooner rather than later.
The college playbook is being revised. Learning the new plays is now necessary in the Black community.
In addition, my guess is that a review of eligibility standards is also coming soon to college athletics. As more fans and alumni become disgusted with the courtroom drama and million-dollar salaries of some college players, there will be more attention paid to graduation rates, and academic performance.
It’s a new world in college athletics and Black families should be prepared to face a new level of responsibility in educating their young athletes in current and future realities.
The Reid Roundup
As fan balloting for the All-Star game ends on July 2, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker was not in the top six of National League outfielders. Certainly, NL manager Dave Roberts will name him to the team…At the halfway point of the season, Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable is American League manager of the year. One of two Black MLB managers, Venable has the White Sox in first place in the AL Central and four games over .500 on June 30…Based on voting, the NL will have a Black starting shortstop in the All-Star Game in Philadelphia. CJ Abrams of the Washington Nationals is first, followed by L.A. Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts…NL manager of the year at the season’s midpoint is Oliver Marmol of the Cardinals. Often called baseball’s worst manager by misguided fans, Marmol has shown his ability to lead, adjust, and win in 2026…Former NBA star John Wall, a longtime Washington Wizard whose career was derailed by injuries, was recently named the Howard University president of basketball operations. Wall says he hopes to become an NBA general manager.