re: APU - where do you stand?

I thought the issue was whether or not "student-athletes" should be paid? I'm saying they shouldn't because their designation as students prohibits it (specifically due to IRS regulations) and they are already receiving a "fair" amount of compensation for their services.

Where am I answering with the question? Perhaps I'll just restate it.

I'm saying that these guys are enrolled in universities as students who have to take classes and make grades in order to play football. Whether they live and breathe football over classes is not the point. Their status is student-athlete and not just athlete because they still have to fulfill their academic obligations.

Whether or not a business has been built around that is not really the issue to me. If the universities want to profit (most don't, but those who do pour the money back into growing and improving their programs) from the national exposure their athletic programs receive, I don't see a problem with it.

It is a load of fun to watch and it is fun to play and I was given a lot of opportunities even though I never made a pro team. With that said, I had the grades and SAT to get into UGA and I did well on school because my parents instilled it in me.

I look back and see how many guys were run over by the system and cast aside. Even a lot of the ones who played pro ball. We had another one die too young due to heart issues this week. The crux of this issue is that we were not students first and we were students only to stay eligible. It is almost sad looking back on it to see what they did. Some do take advantage of the system and do well. I think most of them would have done well either way, but whatever.
... And don't even get me started with the gamblers and how they affect the game.