Nick,
I liked your take on people who think sports are fixed. I think you may have attacked the one's who say that a little too personally, because I don't feel that a comment such as claiming a game is fixed is a reflection of one's character, but that's just my opinion. Half the people say that stuff just to get people fired up who lost. Anyway, that wasn't really the point of this....
I completely disagree with your statement that "Even college athletes get such great kickbacks from boosters that a few dimes is not worth risking their current fame."
I think this statement is about as far from true as you can get. Sure, we sometimes read about the high profile athletes that get perks and shady gifts from boosters, but that is not even close to the majority of athletes. Most athletes are not much different from other students, and in fact, until recently may have been in a worse financial position that many students at the same colleges and universities.
Athletes often over extend themselves financially to attend a university at which they could play a sport. And of course not all of the sports can offer full scholarships to their players even if the program is fully funded within NCAA regulations. Part of this problem was so bad that it was even addressed by the NCAA about 8 years ago (forgot the exact year, but around then) and the NCAA allowed athletes to take a job. It was one of the most ridiculous rules that the NCAA had imposed on athletes -- they couldn't take a job like the rest of civilized America. I don't know when you went through school, but I'm sure that others who were at college during that time period remember many of the athletes at smaller schools struggling to have spending money -- or atleast not having more than the average student.
Also, look at the cost of some colleges for these athletes that are their only to play their sport. They typically come from modest backgrounds as a whole and all of a sudden are surrounded by students whose parents can afford the $30k/year for that school, plus a new car and new clothes and spending money at will. On the other hand, the athlete gets the tuition paid, but their parents aren't necessarily in the position to support their son running around and doing the things that the 'regular' students are able to afford.
These athletes are very susceptible to taking small bribes to fix a game. Usually, from what I've encountered, is that they end up betting on themselves and running the scores up more, so that does go along with your ego theory.
College players are eager to give out information that will give their friends an edge in betting. Even if they don't go so far as to throw a game, they come dangerously close and more often cross the line when it comes to betting and their sports. Even on this board there are some people who are probably better off keeping some athletes' names out of their post when it relates to injuries and morale on the team. This sort of thing is in clear violation of NCAA rules.
Another collegiate issue that often arises is that not all athletes are very happy in their present situation and with their coach. But there's not always a lot that can be done about that becuase of lost scholarships, transfer periods, etc. Those athletes, from my own experience, are much more prone to giving out information, even if it's not so far as shaving points.
What about the athletes that bet on themselves? Most of the time this isn't a secret from their teammates, so the entire team knows that they need to cover a 30 pt spread, and won't let up until it's done. Those games don't necessarily have readily-available information out, but friends and the local bookie know what's going on.
The typical college athlete is not a high profile person. Who can readily name the guards at UMBC? Sure, we may follow and track the Dukes and UCLAs of the world, but many many teams slip through the cracks. I firmly believe that games are being fixed in college. And I believe that it extends into the professional ranks as well, although I don't think it reaches the elite level of the MLB, NBA, NFL, etc. But the minor leagues are surely fixed from time to time, and anyone that has played in the minor leagues of any of those sports has surely seen a teammate's or opponent's career ruined by his gambling -- forcing him to throw games until he breaks even.
I liked your column and I understand the point you were getting at. I especially agree with the closing statement, pretty much accept it or find a new hobby. Very true.
-Wondo
I liked your take on people who think sports are fixed. I think you may have attacked the one's who say that a little too personally, because I don't feel that a comment such as claiming a game is fixed is a reflection of one's character, but that's just my opinion. Half the people say that stuff just to get people fired up who lost. Anyway, that wasn't really the point of this....
I completely disagree with your statement that "Even college athletes get such great kickbacks from boosters that a few dimes is not worth risking their current fame."
I think this statement is about as far from true as you can get. Sure, we sometimes read about the high profile athletes that get perks and shady gifts from boosters, but that is not even close to the majority of athletes. Most athletes are not much different from other students, and in fact, until recently may have been in a worse financial position that many students at the same colleges and universities.
Athletes often over extend themselves financially to attend a university at which they could play a sport. And of course not all of the sports can offer full scholarships to their players even if the program is fully funded within NCAA regulations. Part of this problem was so bad that it was even addressed by the NCAA about 8 years ago (forgot the exact year, but around then) and the NCAA allowed athletes to take a job. It was one of the most ridiculous rules that the NCAA had imposed on athletes -- they couldn't take a job like the rest of civilized America. I don't know when you went through school, but I'm sure that others who were at college during that time period remember many of the athletes at smaller schools struggling to have spending money -- or atleast not having more than the average student.
Also, look at the cost of some colleges for these athletes that are their only to play their sport. They typically come from modest backgrounds as a whole and all of a sudden are surrounded by students whose parents can afford the $30k/year for that school, plus a new car and new clothes and spending money at will. On the other hand, the athlete gets the tuition paid, but their parents aren't necessarily in the position to support their son running around and doing the things that the 'regular' students are able to afford.
These athletes are very susceptible to taking small bribes to fix a game. Usually, from what I've encountered, is that they end up betting on themselves and running the scores up more, so that does go along with your ego theory.
College players are eager to give out information that will give their friends an edge in betting. Even if they don't go so far as to throw a game, they come dangerously close and more often cross the line when it comes to betting and their sports. Even on this board there are some people who are probably better off keeping some athletes' names out of their post when it relates to injuries and morale on the team. This sort of thing is in clear violation of NCAA rules.
Another collegiate issue that often arises is that not all athletes are very happy in their present situation and with their coach. But there's not always a lot that can be done about that becuase of lost scholarships, transfer periods, etc. Those athletes, from my own experience, are much more prone to giving out information, even if it's not so far as shaving points.
What about the athletes that bet on themselves? Most of the time this isn't a secret from their teammates, so the entire team knows that they need to cover a 30 pt spread, and won't let up until it's done. Those games don't necessarily have readily-available information out, but friends and the local bookie know what's going on.
The typical college athlete is not a high profile person. Who can readily name the guards at UMBC? Sure, we may follow and track the Dukes and UCLAs of the world, but many many teams slip through the cracks. I firmly believe that games are being fixed in college. And I believe that it extends into the professional ranks as well, although I don't think it reaches the elite level of the MLB, NBA, NFL, etc. But the minor leagues are surely fixed from time to time, and anyone that has played in the minor leagues of any of those sports has surely seen a teammate's or opponent's career ruined by his gambling -- forcing him to throw games until he breaks even.
I liked your column and I understand the point you were getting at. I especially agree with the closing statement, pretty much accept it or find a new hobby. Very true.
-Wondo
