College: so easy even a cave man could do it." Hmm -- something I'd have to see to believe, but the Neanderthal fellas probably stand a good chance if their schedules look anything like those of Oregon's Dennis Dixon, Hawaii's Colt Brennan or Boston College's Matt Ryan.
That's right -- according to a recent New York Times article, three of the most dominant college quarterbacks in the country are currently enrolled in courses at their respective schools less challenging than a Dora the Explorer episode.
Ever attempted Leon the circus lion's hot dog juggle? Or raced down a hill on a one wheel-thingamajig, holding a healthy Dora/Boots the Monkey combo on back and a lunch pail in hand? Geez, don't even add boat paddling and the small Spanish tutorials. Work those brain muscles.
Too bad we can't say the same for Dixon's, Brennan's and Ryan's class schedules.
Dixon is currently solely enrolled in a billiards course; he officially graduated this summer.
Think about it. The same day you drag yourself out of bed, stumbling into your organic chemistry lab with loathing, Dennis Dixon is merrily skipping to his billiards class. Who would mind going to class if you got to play pool all day?
Ryan, who also already has a degree, is enrolled in three night classes that each meet once a week: personal finance, social stratification and literature. In this article, Ryan admits his easier schedule offers him the flexibility to sleep in, watch a few extra hours of film every day and take his girlfriend to dinner every Thursday night. He also saw his time spent in interviews with the new media as a quasi-communications internship.
He may convince some with the interview/internship spiel, but I'm not too sure about the dinner. I'm calling my advisor right now to give it a shot -- romantic dinner should be worth what, two credits?
Brennan is enrolled in three courses, including CPR and global communications, and is also working on a senior thesis -- he will graduate this month. "Basically, what your focus is on is Saturday and the game," Brennan is reported confessing in the New York Times article. "The distractions are a lot less."
If education is a distraction, boy are we in trouble.
Though the thought of these athletes' class schedules leaves me a little more than envious, I also believe in giving everyone the benefit of the doubt: Along with all the normal responsibilities required of college students, athletes have to add a lot more.
Most college athletes' days start with practices that begin before the roosters are up crowing.
Holidays, breaks and summers off are basically non-existent for student-athletes, and practices and game days take up tremendous amounts of time. For example, Virginia basketball players will fork over 30-plus nights for games alone this season, stretching from November to March.
Who can have better time management skills?
Frankly, college athletes are required to give up a lot, so maybe it's only right that they get a little back in return. Can we assume light class loads is their fair 'return'?
Many people say, "No."
In fact, some even endorse the idea that college athletes should be paid. It kind of makes sense as lucrative as big school athletic programs are -- sometimes bringing $30 to 40 million per year to universities and colleges.
Hey, when Penn State's Joe Paterno earns about $512,000 annually, and Oklahoma's Bob Stoops grosses more than $3 million, you have to wonder if players should be a part of the check-cutting. Paterno and Stoops may be the ones crafting the winning plays, but it is the players who make them happen.
But doesn't this mean students should start getting paid as well? When bright students graduate, go out and represent U.Va. at schools, hospitals, firms and companies nationwide, they bring in money for the school too, right? Where's their check?
Alas, paying college athletes (or students) is unlikely to happen any time soon -- think Reggie Bush. For the time being, however, the concern about players' less than rigorous academic schedules remains an issue. Should athletes be receiving the same degree as other students exposed to more challenging curricula?
College athletes are considered 'student-athletes' but has the 'student' part withered away so much that all is left is the 'athlete'?
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