College football kicks off new era with enhanced scholarships: Editorial

vernon adams.JPG

Quarterback Vernon Adams, who transferred from Eastern Washington University, signs autographs at the University of Oregon's fan day last month. The Ducks open the season against Eastern on Saturday.

(Kristyna Wentz-Graff/Staff)

The top division of college football starts a new season and a new era Thursday. In Oregon, much of the attention will be on new University of Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams and new Oregon State coach Gary Andersen. But the most significant change is taking place behind the scenes. Players for the Ducks and Beavers, as well as athletes at other schools in the five major  conferences and some other schools, will for the first time receive cost-of-attendance scholarships that pay for living expenses beyond those covered by traditional athletic scholarships.

The higher-value scholarships have drawn criticism from some education advocates, but they are justifiable and overdue. Universities demand too much time from athletes, including optional offseason workouts that really aren't very optional if you want to improve enough to earn or hold onto playing time, for them to have realistic opportunities to earn money through part-time work. Add to these demands the fact that many athletes come from lower-income families, and a player's financial situation can become untenable quickly.

The cost-of-attendance scholarships are designed, in part, to compensate student athletes so that they have a realistic chance to survive economically without outside sources of income. Some, though not necessarily the NCAA, also see it as recognition of how much revenue schools generate from major sports such as football and men's basketball. Regardless of which justification you prefer, cost-of-attendance scholarships should be a step forward. But that will prove true only if universities and the NCAA adopt adequate safeguards to ensure that the system isn't abused. Much is at stake for all involved.

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The change in scholarships comes at a time when college sports, and football in particular, are both enjoying great popularity and enduring increased controversy. Attendance at football games actually has dropped slightly, but that's partially because of the sport's increasing popularity on TV. That popularity has led networks to shell out record amounts for broadcast rights, which has helped provide schools with the money needed to increase the value of scholarships and build palatial sports facilities.

Off-the-field controversies have long shadowed college sports, but in the age of social media their stain becomes more apparent. Both Oregon and Oregon State have dealt with fallout in the past year from alleged rapes by athletes. The UO incident involved three basketball players, one of whom had faced sexual assault allegations at a previous school before transferring to Oregon. A Baylor transfer football player was convicted of sexual assault last month. The list of schools that have had athletes arrested for one reason or another since this time last year is almost endless.

Problems arise on playing fields and in classrooms, too. Illinois dismissed its football coach a week before the season because of allegations about his treatment of injured players. North Carolina is facing  NCAA sanctions for academic abuse that involved bogus class credits for athletes. Then, there's the growing concern over the health consequences of football, and particularly head injuries.

So, while universities should value scholarships at a level that gives athletes a chance to pay for necessities without outside help, they also need to ensure that those athletes really are students and represent the university off the field in a way that alumni, fans and taxpayers can respect. The NCAA has agreed to increase academic qualifying standards for athletes in 2016. Some schools, including California in the Pac-12 Conference that includes the Oregon schools, have set standards well above the NCAA minimum. Those are good steps. As the North Carolina case shows, schools also need to protect the integrity of classes that athletes take once they are admitted. None of this will be easy.

New University of Oregon President Michael Schill said the school does not plan any staffing changes or other significant moves in response to the cost-of-attendance scholarships. But, he added, if it becomes obvious that additional compliance staff or other changes are necessary he will take action. Steve Fenk, Oregon State associate athletic director for communications, likewise said OSU doesn't have any changes planned. But he added that the university already was offering some of the services - such as financial planning seminars for athletes - that some schools have added in response to the higher-value scholarships. Administrators at both schools should continue to keep their eyes open as they move into this new era.

As Schill correctly pointed out, high-level athletics bring value to a university. Success on the athletic field can boost a university's profile and help attract both students and donations. It can contribute to both diversity and school spirit. But all of that is diminished if sports compromises the academic mission or tarnishes the university brand. As schools increase their investment in athletes, they have an obligation to ensure that their athletics programs' positives far outweigh the negatives.

--The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial board

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