My response–THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY.
THE GOOD
The fundamental issues of our education, our children, health, higher education, economy are cited as related.
THE BAD
Representation: Where are the black coaches, athletic directors, college presidents, women the same, players,
UGLY
Ranting, return to the past? One week and the king will solve? Screw the law.
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In 1964 the issue was Integration.
1970 , women’s sports (Title 1X )
Proposition 48 (SAT minimums )
Drugs, steroids, testing.
Head Injuries.
Gambling
Money, always money.
2025 ?
Portals, NIL, Fairness.
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The fundamental issue is fitting a “square peg into a round hole.”
BELOW ARE SOME QUOTES FROM http://www.tomparham.wordpress.com. and
https://littlegreenbookoftennis.com/
SQUARE HOLE, ROUND PEG?
On By ethomasparhamIn K. PHILOSOPHYLeave a commentEdit
Is it possible to house big time college athletics (with market values), philosophically within the purview of American higher education? Today’s article by George Will (College basketball season begins under odiferous clouds) includes a quote from Michael Oakeshott : ” To try to do something which is inherently impossible is always a corrupting enterprise.”
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Total Estimated Economic Value of IU’s National Football Season (2025–26).
| Category | Estimated Value (USD) |
| Direct Football Program Revenue (Incremental) | $10 M – $20 M |
| Baseline Annual Football Revenue | $60 M (ongoing) |
| Local Economic Impact (Tourism, Lodging, Spending) | $60 M – $100 M+ |
| Media & Brand Value (Exposure) | $20 M – $50 M+ |
| Total Estimated Economic Value | ≈ $150 M – $230 M+ |
Bottom Line:
Indiana University’s historic national championship season likely generated at least in the low hundreds of millions of dollars in combined direct revenue, local economic activity, and media/brand value. The total could exceed $200 M when counting the broader impact on the university, Bloomington economy, and future revenue streams.
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Perpetually in the transfer portal? Meet The Athletic’s All-Frequent Flyer Team
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1K3qpwHvh4PtTWvhcDcCtVE2CuBBaJ8_JIWuX6fZelb0/edit?tab=t.0
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“RULES BE RULES!”
Two nights ago I watched Elon men’s play Campbel University. Campbell’s 14 player roster featured six “graduate students” and six international players.
My guess is that the average age of IMPACT players is now 23-25 years of age.
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Once I questioned my own persistence to a respected professional. His adamant response was “… worth the effort? You’re damn right it is worth it. It’s our children. Child advocacy !”
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The KICKER–The portal and likeness monies will make very lucrative possibilities for the best borderline international players. True too of the very top Americans. But only a few. Already the first year rumor mill is adrift with wildly questionable numbers and propositions being floated.
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Pick a school, google men’s tennis . Tag the roster and see for yourself. Just recently I researched the total rosters of Division 11’s top six men’s teams. Of 63 players on the combined rosters, 62 were international.
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The just released survey by the Elon Poll requested solutions to college athletics problems. Between the Portal and Likeness changes, a Rubicon moment, Teaming with the NCAA, they listed ten pages of questions and suggestions to summarize how to reign in this “conundrum”.
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Another Reality
“ For every Serena or Naomi, there are thousands of families who went all in, only to come up empty-handed. It’s a system built on dreams, but powered by delusion.
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If the gamblers continue at the current rate they will create pain. If, as suggested , the Government engineers the future, grab your ankles .
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Okay, but how to plan, pay , personnel ?
It is pretty obvious some fundamental changes occurred in the 2025 FINAL FOUR college basketball tournament : No Cinderella, all four top seeds make it. Best bet is a large state University that can pay em, a seasoned and proven coach, some internationals to augment big, fast dudes. No need to recruit high school aspirants other than the rare Cooper. 18 years old—need not apply. Guards must be able to palm the ball. Players understand the coach is willing to give up my life for the school.
Athletic Directors must realize “HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL” rule will cause all kinds of ill will and bad behavior, for appoval or to sort out. And quickly a youngster with a hand full of cash will find mischief. “”They gonna wreck some of them cars.”
Plenty of questions. Here are a few for the School Presidents, Boards of Trustees, State Legislatures.
Do we give up academic freedom for federal money ? Sure ? Your soul could cost a billion bucks at some major institutions. Vote is due for all—soon.
Big time requests for a General Manager to pay the players–salary a million plus. And payroll for players (no salary cap ) and no telling how much.
A basketball budget that matches the cost of a needed new library? How big is my donor base? Do we
even consider faculty salaries? The faculty will.
Gamblers salivate. Parents pay. Community Colleges grow.
When we graduated from college my roommate and I were the last to vacate the dorm. He then rode off. Alone–I gazed over the campus and wondered, “…What do I do now?” I am always reminded of that sinking feeling , when watching the faces of NCAA basketball players the moment their team is through.
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College athletics has lasted through 30 plus US presidents. And hopefully many more.
Evolution doesn’t go backwards. What is assured is there will always be a pressing issue to solve.
Today–Portals. Get to work.
The Little Green Book of Tennis 