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Update: The Pac-12 has released the full text of their letter and posted it on their website. You can read it here.
On the heels of the decision to allow unionization at Northwestern, the Pac-12 has decided to do it's part in changing the path of college athletics.
Last week, leaders from the Pac-12 gathered and compiled a letter with 10 proposed changes to the current NCAA model. According to the AP, the group also announced support for a new policy that would "allow the five wealthiest conferences to make some rules without the support of smaller Division I schools." They sent the letter detailing their plan of action to 53 presidents from the four other power conferences and ask for a response by June 4.
On Tuesday, the AP got a copy of the letter and summarized the main points. While it appeared that the conference decided to act because of the ruling for Northwestern, they did not want to go in that direction.
"It is clear from the recent statements of any number of individuals," the letter reads, "that while they may share our view that labor unions are not the answer, the time has come for a meaningful response both to the student-athletes' grievances and the need to reassert the academic primacy of our mission."
The full list of proposals in the letter can be seen in the AP article here. Among them are ideas to cover the full cost of admission for student-athletes, insurance assistance, guaranteed scholarships and to shorten seasons in "specific sports." In my mind, however, the most interesting proposal centers around freshmen in men's basketball.
"Address the "one and done" phenomenon in men's basketball. If the NBA and its Players Association are unable to agree to raising the age limit for players, consider restoring the freshman ineligibility rule in men's basketball."
One thing is clear: the current NCAA model is going to come to an end some time in the very near future. Do you think these proposals are taking college sports in the right direction? What would you want to see added to this list? Let us know in the comments.
Leach AMA
Mike Leach is taking to Reddit once again today promote his new book. If it's anything like last time, it's sure to be an... Interesting time. Be sure to get over to Reddit today at 3 PM as Coach Leach begins to answer questions.
Rowing Tourney Bound
Rowing Selected to Compete at NCAA Championships - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State women's rowing has been selected by the NCAA Division I Women's Rowing Committee to compete in the 2014 NCAA Division I Rowing Championships, the NCAA announced Tuesday afternoon.
Football
College football 2014 countdown: 100 things we're looking forward to in the upcoming season (Nos. 80-61) | Campus Union - SI.com
74. The inimitable Mike Leach. Leach is the most interesting man in college football. He’s an offensive mastermind. He’s a pirate aficionado. He recently co-authored the book Geronimo: Leadership Strategies of an American Warrior. On the field, expect Leach to keep airing it out. Cougars quarterback Connor Halliday attempted an FBS-high 714 passes last season. Only two others (Fresno State’s Derek Carr and Oregon State’s Sean Mannion) attempted more than 600.
California Football: Game-By-Game Predictions for the Golden Bears' 2014 Season | NCAAF | California Golden Bears
Having to go on the road against a WSU program that is on the rise is going to be too much for this young California squad. It might not be as big of a blowout as it was last year when the Cougars defeated the Golden Bears 44-22, but it is reasonable to expect a loss here.