NCAA Finally Gets One Right
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by user J Cunningham
Have you heard about Clemson football player Ray Ray McElrathbey, who has temporary custody of his 11-year-old brother Fahmarr? Their mother has been fighting drug problems and father has a gambling addiction, which was what precipitated Ray Ray getting temporary custody.
Well, in response, the NCAA has given Ray Ray an exception to its rule against athletes obtaining gifts, cash or other benefits not available to the general student population. This means Ray Ray and his brother, who moved from foster homes to an apartment near Clemson's campus, can recevei help from the school's staff.
"Once the NCAA became aware of the circumstances, we immediately began working with the Atlantic Coast Conference and Clemson University to address this unique situation," said NCAA vice president of membership services Kevin Lennon.
As much as I disagree with the NCAA's regulations nine times out of 10 (well, more like 9.997 times out of 10, but who's counting), I must applaud them in this instance. Not only was allowing the school to give Ray Ray help in taking care of his younger brother the right move, it was also an intelligent move.
How else would Ray Ray have been able to care and provide for Fahmarr? It's well documented the amount of time a student-athlete must dedicate to his sport and the classroom; there's simply no time for anything else--like, say, a part-time job. And without a part-time job, there would've been no income for Ray Ray to use in trying to take care of his brother.
If anything, this reaffirms my belief student-athletes deserve to receive at least a stipend. I realize most, if not all, of their college expenses are already paid for, but what about spending and living money? If these guys can't hold down part-time jobs because of their sometimes ridiculous schedules, how can they expect to have any income?
But that's another column for another day.
Finally, the NCAA put aside its illogical posturing and finally lived up to its credo about being "all about the students." So often, we hear the NCAA SAY they're looking out for the best interests of student-athletes, but they're too busy making asanine rules to really focus on the important stuff (apparently, the feathers on a college's logo are more important to the NCAA than the livelihood of its student-athletes).
But in the case of Ray Ray McElrathbey, the NCAA got it right. They put the legalese and the posturing aside long enough to see the situation for what it was: an unfortunate turn of events and a young man in need of help. I applaud Clemson for reaching out to the NCAA on this issue, and I applaud the NCAA for bending their rules in order to give Ray Ray an easier time raising his little brother and trying to maintain something resembling a family while their parents continue to struggle with their serious problems.
It's not often I give the NCAA credit, but in this case, I'll gladly make an exception.
Date
Tue 09/12/06, 5:17 pm EST
