Comments on: The UConn/Butler trainwreck proves it: we need to be done with one-and-done http://dirtyhippiesportstalk.com/2011/04/05/the-uconnbutler-trainwreck-proves-it-we-need-to-be-done-with-one-and-done/ Shrill on Sports Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:42:02 +0000 hourly 1 By: Sam Smith http://dirtyhippiesportstalk.com/2011/04/05/the-uconnbutler-trainwreck-proves-it-we-need-to-be-done-with-one-and-done/comment-page-1/#comment-507 Sam Smith Thu, 07 Apr 2011 02:41:43 +0000 http://dirtyhippiesportstalk.com/?p=186#comment-507 <i>Your whole argument assumes that the purpose of colleges is to produce exciting sports teams.</i> No, my whole argument accepts, for the moment, everybody else's assumption to that effect. MY solution is to completely get rid of all athletic scholarships and let universities stick to being, you know, universities. The pro leagues can set up their own developmental systems and kids who have no interest in college can go play ball. Your whole argument assumes that the purpose of colleges is to produce exciting sports teams.

No, my whole argument accepts, for the moment, everybody else’s assumption to that effect. MY solution is to completely get rid of all athletic scholarships and let universities stick to being, you know, universities. The pro leagues can set up their own developmental systems and kids who have no interest in college can go play ball.

]]> By: Kevin S http://dirtyhippiesportstalk.com/2011/04/05/the-uconnbutler-trainwreck-proves-it-we-need-to-be-done-with-one-and-done/comment-page-1/#comment-506 Kevin S Thu, 07 Apr 2011 02:38:06 +0000 http://dirtyhippiesportstalk.com/?p=186#comment-506 I do think the one-year-of-college requirement is ridiculous. They should either require 2+ years of college or just let players go into the NBA from high school. That said, I'm not sure I can support a requirement for more years of college. Your whole argument assumes that the purpose of colleges is to produce exciting sports teams. But they're supposed to be institutions of learning, and any requirement that aspiring pro athletes attend college before going pro just puts a lot of students on campus who don't really want to be there or learn anything. I'd rather see players be allowed to go into the NBA draft after high school (just like they can go into the MLB or NHL drafts at that age). The problems with the high-school/AAU system will straighten themselves out after a few ambitious high-schoolers don't get taken in the NBA draft. Of course, I would prefer it if the NBA also stopped using NCAA basketball as a farm system and established a legitimate minor league for players who aren't smart enough for or interested in college. Unfortunately, that may never happen. I do think the one-year-of-college requirement is ridiculous. They should either require 2+ years of college or just let players go into the NBA from high school. That said, I’m not sure I can support a requirement for more years of college.

Your whole argument assumes that the purpose of colleges is to produce exciting sports teams. But they’re supposed to be institutions of learning, and any requirement that aspiring pro athletes attend college before going pro just puts a lot of students on campus who don’t really want to be there or learn anything. I’d rather see players be allowed to go into the NBA draft after high school (just like they can go into the MLB or NHL drafts at that age). The problems with the high-school/AAU system will straighten themselves out after a few ambitious high-schoolers don’t get taken in the NBA draft. Of course, I would prefer it if the NBA also stopped using NCAA basketball as a farm system and established a legitimate minor league for players who aren’t smart enough for or interested in college. Unfortunately, that may never happen.

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