By: James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.
Watching college sports has been one of my favorite past times over the years. The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat has been an expression that we have attached to student-athletes and college sports.
The exhilaration when you win and the hurt when you lose is what we as fans see when the final score is given.
Playing college sports is a privilege. You go into it knowing the rewards and the risks. It is not for everybody. My childhood friend Bill Earl and I were talking just
last week about the emotional highs and lows of it.
We also agreed the college sports landscape has changed drastically. Some might opine that more changes are on the way. We will just have to stay tuned.
Way back when, prospective college athletes were simply offered a scholarship. Some were full and others were partial. Nonetheless either one gave you a way to lessen your college expenses. Prior to Name, Image and Likeness agreements, college coaches would visit your home and talk with you and your parents. The scholarship offer would consist of tuition, room and board.
That was a big deal and a big blessing. The feeling of euphoria and happiness filled your house.
I know first-hand about this experience because I had it. As it was happening, I really couldn’t believe it. There was a college tennis coach in my house talking with my dad and me. Mind you, this was many years ago, yet this will be forever etched in my memory bank.
With great humility, I say that I had other college tennis scholarship offers. After carefully considering each, I made a decision.
There was no fanfare and only a few people knew about it. Being able to get a college education and play a sport were foremost in my mind.
Fortunately, I kept good grades in college and was a part of two championship teams. I graduated from college and along the way made some life-long friends.
College sports have changed in many ways. The media coverage of it is endless. At any given time, you can watch a college sport on television.
Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) agreements have made college student-athletes millions of dollars. When coaches go to homes today, the conversation is very different. They talk about the school and notable alumni. However, the main conversation is about how much money the coach is willing to offer.
According to reports, “Many states and universities have implemented rules requiring student-athletes to disclose their NIL activities and agreements ensuring transparency and accountability.”
Proponents of Name, Image and Likeness agreements point to several advantages to them. They say that the student-athletes get financial independence, life-changing opportunities and a chance to build their personal brand.
Recently, LSU played UCLA in an Elite Eight NCAA women’s basketball game. After the game, LSU star, Flau’jae Johnson was asked about whether she would
opt for the WNBA draft or return for her final year with the Tigers.
According to media outlets, she will return to LSU. Flau’jae Johnson is a talented young woman on many levels. She is a rapper with rhymes that will make you move
and groove. She has also signed deals with Puma, Taco Bell and has an equity stake in the women’s 3-on-3 basketball league Unrivaled.
Flau’jae Johnson said, “For me it’s about discipline and purpose. I know what I’m working on and that keeps me locked in. Basketball, music and financial literacy
might seem like different lanes, but they all connect, because they’re about taking control of your future.”
There are other student-athletes whose names we know that are taking full advantage of their skill sets both on and off the courts and fields.
These are some ground-breaking times for student-athletes in the United States of America. Let’s applaud them and wish them well.
Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. is a long-time educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
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