Pat Fitzgerald urges against union

[ABQCOWBOY]

What evidence do any of you have that he's lying?

I mean I get it... you have to think he's lying since you think you're taking the high road in this debate, and hearing about an athlete going hungry goes against the morally superior position. But other than that, why would anyone doubt what he says? There are more athletes than just Napier who are saying this as well. Are they all lying?

The same evidence that you have he is telling the truth I suppose.

I have not seen any other comments from other athletes that make this claim but if they are out there, then I'm sure you will show me.

I have, however, heard certain athletes and former athletes say that they also found it hard to believe Napiers comments. I have also listened to coaches who have voiced opinions contrary to his statements. I mean, there are plenty of former athletes on this site who can probably attest to the validity of his statements. Do you get feed if you are a major college athlete or are you forced to go to bed starving? I would actually welcome comment on this from those who have actually experience the process. I was never a college athlete so I can not say what is true and what is not.

I am, however, very skeptical.

 

[peplaw06]

I generally give people the benefit of the doubt when they say things (that aren't blatant lies) until there is evidence presented that the person is lying. Seems like you start off skeptical... unless it comes from the university, coaches, or players who say what you want to hear.

Jabari Parker was on ESPN last week and they asked him about the Napier comments, and he echoed them... Said it happens.

Like I said, the NCAA regulates how much food these guys get. They regulate if you can have cream cheese with your bagel. How can anyone start off skeptical that these athletes may go hungry from time to time? Has the NCAA really earned the benefit of the doubt here?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I generally give people the benefit of the doubt when they say things (that aren't blatant lies) until there is evidence presented that the person is lying. Seems like you start off skeptical... unless it comes from the university, coaches, or players who say what you want to hear.

Jabari Parker was on ESPN last week and they asked him about the Napier comments, and he echoed them... Said it happens.

Like I said, the NCAA regulates how much food these guys get. They regulate if you can have cream cheese with your bagel. How can anyone start off skeptical that these athletes may go hungry from time to time? Has the NCAA really earned the benefit of the doubt here?

No. I try to use a logical process to make determinations on things. I ask myself, why would UConn, a major University and a College Basketball Power, spend the money, the time, the effort, the very considerable resources it takes to recruit players that they obviously do, only to bring them to campus and place them in a situation where they are starving at night? Why would a University who knows that the way to continue to win and thus, make money, set up a situation in which their athletes are at a clear disadvantage, due to a simple lack of nutrition, which can easily be correct by simply feeding their players? Why would they set up that kind of none productive environment, knowing that it would likely hurt their chances of winning, hurt their chances of recruiting in future (after all, what athlete would ever sign with a school that would starve their players?) and would likely open themselves up to such public ridicule that it would become disastrous to their entire University? Not to mention the fact that it's probably illegal to actually starve people to begin with.

I think not. I think it's much more likely that this young man probably isn't taking advantage of the facilities UConn is providing. I think it's much more likely that this young man is probably much more interested in getting paid then he is getting to Mess Hall. Take notice of his comments immediately after his statement about starving at night. He said, "it's hard for him to see his jersey getting sold while he struggles to eat. "To some credit, you feel like you want something in return."

Interestingly enough:

A UConn spokesman said in an emailed statement that Napier is provided food.


"Shabazz Napier, like all our scholarship athletes, is provided the maximum meal plan that is allowable under NCAA rules. UConn does not have a cafeteria devoted specifically to student-athletes, but they have access to the same cafeterias which are available to all our students," Phil Chardis said in a statement.


UConn's Student Athlete Handbook outlines that UConn's athletes with a meal plan have access to the all-you-can-eat dining facilities that are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.


http://ctmirror.org/uconns-napier-on-altheletes-unionizing/

 

[peplaw06]

UConn's Student Athlete Handbook outlines that UConn's athletes with a meal plan have access to the all-you-can-eat dining facilities that are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

You better get dinner eaten before 7:00 p.m.!


FREEEEEEEEDOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!!

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

"FREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"


FIFY

 

[peplaw06]

So you still don't see how a college kid could go to bed hungry if forced to eat before 7:00 p.m.?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

So you still don't see how a college kid could go to bed hungry if forced to eat before 7:00 p.m.?

I don't see how it can be blamed on the NCAA or the University. Can circumstance get in the way? Sure but that's with anything in life. Now, if circumstances continually get in the way, then that's life style.

 

[Rogah]

What evidence do any of you have that he's lying?

The fact that he gets free meals all day long as part of his room and board tends to discredit the notion that he is going to bed hungry. If he is going to bed hungry, it is his own fault for not having a good dinner at the appropriate time.

 

[Rogah]

So you still don't see how a college kid could go to bed hungry if forced to eat before 7:00 p.m.?

This is an incredibly lame argument. Oh no! He has to eat by 7:00!! Oh the humanity!!!!!

Hell I go to bed hungry every single night if that is the criteria we are using.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Why does anyone here care if some athletes unionize? What skin is it off your nose?

 

[Rogah]

Why does anyone here care if some athletes unionize? What skin is it off your nose?

I don't really care whether they do or don't, I'm just saying they would be stupid to do so, and that it will hurt other college sports tremendously. However, since I don't particularly care too much about women's field hockey, I certainly won't lose any sleep when that program gets cut.

 

[peplaw06]

NCAA says NOW that the student-athlete can have unlimited meals and snacks... But no, these guys must have been lying.

 

[peplaw06]

I don't see how it can be blamed on the NCAA or the University. Can circumstance get in the way? Sure but that's with anything in life. Now, if circumstances continually get in the way, then that's life style.

Thats the whole point... These student-athletes have to live a lifestyle that other students don't live. They have strict schedules for playing their sport, and they have strict schedules for when they can eat. They've worked their butts off all day, and have to eat by 7:00 p.m. Even if they do eat by 7:00 p.m., because they've expended so much energy throughout the day, when they inevitably have to stay up until 1 or 2 in the morning studying for their classes, if they get hungry before they hit the pillow... TOO BAD.

Other students, if they get hungry when they're studying late at night, and the cafeteria or campus is otherwise closed, then they can at least work a job for spending money to get some food late at night. The whole point is the student-athletes are not like other students.

 

[peplaw06]

This is an incredibly lame argument. Oh no! He has to eat by 7:00!! Oh the humanity!!!!!

Hell I go to bed hungry every single night if that is the criteria we are using.

It's only lame because it doesn't fit with your preconceived notions of how these things work. You thought they had everything paid for and could do whatever they wanted. Not true. Sorry.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

NCAA says NOW that the student-athlete can have unlimited meals and snacks... But no, these guys must have been lying.

I don't understand where you are going with this? The NCAA doesn't put together Mess Schedules for Universities. At some point, you have to be able to close the Sub or whatever facilities you may have in order to actually clean and keep sanitary. There must be some schedule that is adhered to. However, the statement put out there that they need money because they go to bed hungry at night seems to be failing the smell test. As I said, I'm sure that occasionally happens but it's not the fault of the NCAA or the University. If you put the food out there, that's meeting the responsibilities necessary. If the students don't eat, you can't force them to.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Thats the whole point... These student-athletes have to live a lifestyle that other students don't live. They have strict schedules for playing their sport, and they have strict schedules for when they can eat. They've worked their butts off all day, and have to eat by 7:00 p.m. Even if they do eat by 7:00 p.m., because they've expended so much energy throughout the day, when they inevitably have to stay up until 1 or 2 in the morning studying for their classes, if they get hungry before they hit the pillow... TOO BAD.

Other students, if they get hungry when they're studying late at night, and the cafeteria or campus is otherwise closed, then they can at least work a job for spending money to get some food late at night. The whole point is the student-athletes are not like other students.

I don't agree. Yes, Student Athletes have a different schedule but even then, accommodations are made and meet to facilitate simple things like getting fed. If you are suggesting that Athletic requirements are taking precedents over being feed, I will require proof of that statement because, as I've stated earlier, it is not in the best interests of these programs to starve these Athletes. There is no logical reason for this so I would require some kind of proof as to why you believe this process is taking place. Major athletic programs often have spreads set aside for athletes, specifically, to eat. This is not uncommon at all. I just don't think that the whole, I go to bed starving statement is indicative of what the college athlete's experience actually is. I mean, if you are intentionally trying to cut weight, I can see that. I have done that more times then I can count when I was younger but not as a general rule or practice set fourth by the Universities. That I would have a hard time believing.

 

[peplaw06]

I don't understand where you are going with this? The NCAA doesn't put together Mess Schedules for Universities. At some point, you have to be able to close the Sub or whatever facilities you may have in order to actually clean and keep sanitary. There must be some schedule that is adhered to. However, the statement put out there that they need money because they go to bed hungry at night seems to be failing the smell test. As I said, I'm sure that occasionally happens but it's not the fault of the NCAA or the University. If you put the food out there, that's meeting the responsibilities necessary. If the students don't eat, you can't force them to.

It's not just about schedules... It's also about the fact that prior to yesterdays NCAA about-face, the student-athletes had strict regulations on how much food they could be given... that includes schedules of cafeterias, but it encompasses other things as well, such as how much pasta you can have and if you can have cream cheese with your bagel. Napier is talking about he whole thing... not just schedules of the cafeteria.

You presented UConn's statement... I just tried to show you how, by their own statement, there are strict regulations on what, when, and where they could eat. You think Napier's lying, so my point was is the school lying too?

You seem to miss the point with regularity. I can't tell if you're doing it intentionally or not. I am leaning toward you doing it intentionally because your position is untenable. But as I've said, I could be wrong.

 

[peplaw06]

I don't agree. Yes, Student Athletes have a different schedule but even then, accommodations are made and meet to facilitate simple things like getting fed. If you are suggesting that Athletic requirements are taking precedents over being feed, I will require proof of that statement because, as I've stated earlier, it is not in the best interests of these programs to starve these Athletes. There is no logical reason for this so I would require some kind of proof as to why you believe this process is taking place. Major athletic programs often have spreads set aside for athletes, specifically, to eat. This is not uncommon at all. I just don't think that the whole, I go to bed starving statement is indicative of what the college athlete's experience actually is. I mean, if you are intentionally trying to cut weight, I can see that. I have done that more times then I can count when I was younger but not as a general rule or practice set fourth by the Universities. That I would have a hard time believing.

Apparently not enough accommodations have been made in the past to get the athletes fed. I know that to be true because a) student-athletes are saying so and I have no reason to doubt them, and b) the NCAA has impliedly verified the veracity of the statements by coming out now and saying the athletes can have unlimited meals and snacks.

Stop taking his comments about "starving" so literally. He's not saying he's malnourished to the point he can't keep on weight. He's saying he goes to bed hungry at night sometimes. Have you ever said, "Man, I'm starving," when you weren't literally starving? Napier is clearly not starving... He's using hyperbole to bring attention to the fact that the NCAA makes billions of dollars off of him and other athletes, and he's not even allowed to eat if he's hungry before he goes to bed.

And apparently, the NCAA is starting to see how ridiculous their arbitrary requirements are. Just like most people who understand what is going on here.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

It's not just about schedules... It's also about the fact that prior to yesterdays NCAA about-face, the student-athletes had strict regulations on how much food they could be given... that includes schedules of cafeterias, but it encompasses other things as well, such as how much pasta you can have and if you can have cream cheese with your bagel. Napier is talking about he whole thing... not just schedules of the cafeteria.

You presented UConn's statement... I just tried to show you how, by their own statement, there are strict regulations on what, when, and where they could eat. You think Napier's lying, so my point was is the school lying too?

You seem to miss the point with regularity. I can't tell if you're doing it intentionally or not. I am leaning toward you doing it intentionally because your position is untenable. But as I've said, I could be wrong.

Dietary requirements are not set by the NCAA. Those are set by team nutritionists and/or Federal Standards. Napier is muddying the water if he is trying to get into why certain athletes can't eat bowls upon bowls of pasta, while others can or what have you. If you don't want to be governed by dietary standards, then don't compete in major college athletics. This is not a reasonable.

You suggest, somehow, that I am somehow ignoring the point. Well, I am not. I am telling you that there is no point in Napiers views, as they pertain to College Athletics. If you don't want to eat right, then don't sign up to play the sport.

As a wrestler, I knew that I would need to cut weight in order to complete. I did that. As a football player, I new that I would have to put weight on and I did that as well. It's part of playing any given sport and it's part of being an athlete. It is not open to supposition.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Apparently not enough accommodations have been made in the past to get the athletes fed. I know that to be true because a) student-athletes are saying so and I have no reason to doubt them, and b) the NCAA has impliedly verified the veracity of the statements by coming out now and saying the athletes can have unlimited meals and snacks.

Stop taking his comments about "starving" so literally. He's not saying he's malnourished to the point he can't keep on weight. He's saying he goes to bed hungry at night sometimes. Have you ever said, "Man, I'm starving," when you weren't literally starving? Napier is clearly not starving... He's using hyperbole to bring attention to the fact that the NCAA makes billions of dollars off of him and other athletes, and he's not even allowed to eat if he's hungry before he goes to bed.

And apparently, the NCAA is starting to see how ridiculous their arbitrary requirements are. Just like most people who understand what is going on here.

In fact, there is no proof of these statements. To say that you know this because you have no reason to doubt them is not any kind of statement of fact.

It is not I who is taking this players comments literally. I am, in fact, saying that they are outlandish. To answer your point, yes, I have said "Man I'm Starving" before I go to bed. You know what my wife says to me? She says, "Stop whining. I made a nice supper and you missed it."

Athletes don't need to be eating before they go to bed. It's unhealthy and it's almost always of poor nutritional value. Having said that, I agree with your statement about money. He's using this excuse as a way to facilitate payment. I'm not inclined to be sympathetic to this line of justification.