Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Quick Thoughts on the College Sports Mess

Boise State among NCAA schools out to block scholarship change - Andy Staples - SI.com


This article hits on a key aspect of what is wrong with the illusion of "amateur" and the "student-athlete." Staples makes a good point about the schools themselves contributing to the problem, along with the outdated and draconian rules of the NCAA (a "governing" body that has become very similar to the old AAU, an administration the NCAA originally fought against). The schools can, in essence, hold student-athletes hostage by denying release requests, even going over the head of the supposed governing body, the NCAA.


I had something similar happen to me. I initially signed a National Letter of Intent for a track scholarship as a 17-year-old high school senior with a small Div. II school. After a year, I came to the conclusion that the school, both athletically and academically, was not a good fit for me, so I chose to transfer to the University of Wyoming. While I had no issue with being accepted to the university and transferring my credits, I ran into a problem with being released athletically from the Div. II school.


Now, while student-athletes are required to sit out a year of eligibility when transferring between schools in the same division, that is not a requirement when transferring between divisions (i.e. transferring from Div. II to Div. I). I contacted the head track coach and athletic director of the Div. II school, told them my plans to transfer and reasons for doing so, and asked to be released from my NLI with them. I was assured that this would not be an issue, so I went home for the summer and didn't think much of it.


However, after a month of not hearing anything, I decided to check in and see what was the hold up (I had called Coach Sanchez that summer and was quickly told that he couldn't talk to me since I was, as he succinctly and accurately put it, "someone else's property"). When I called the athletic offices of the Div. II school, I was met with a run-around and told that the AD was gone on vacation. Time was an issue here; since I was attempting to walk-on at Wyoming (I remained a walk-on my entire career at UW), and Coach Sanchez was hamstrung by severely limited roster spots on the cross-country team thanks to UW's application of Title IX rules (that's a rant for another day), I was desperate to get my name on his roster list before he turned it in to the athletic department at the start of the season. Once the list was turned in and the roster spots filled, no one could be added thereafter.


The Div. II school did not release me until a week before school started at Wyoming that fall semester. I have no idea why they sat on that release form for months on end, and I was never given an explanation. It seemed to me that they did it simply because they could. And yes, some would argue that since I had, in definition, signed a contract with the school who in turn paid the majority of my tuition that year, it was dishonest of me to quit after one year. But I didn't quit; I continued to go school and eventually earned a degree in a subject not offered at the Div. II school (a core point in the NCAA grad school exception). And I fulfilled my one-year obligation considering scholarships are renewed on a yearly basis. In the end, I was forced to sit out one year anyway since by the time I was finally granted my release, the UW team had already started its season. I burned a year of eligibility because someone in the athletic department at the Div. II school either wanted to stick it to me for some unbeknownst personal reason, or because someone couldn't be bothered to sign a form and file it in a timely manner.


This is a problem. College athletics are so concerned with the money grab that common decency and common sense are being ignored. Yes, athletes on full-ride scholarships do not have to pay for school, but as is currently being addressed, those scholarships cover only tuition and fees, not cost of living. I can assure you that between a full credit load, studying, practice, travelling to meets, etc., I did not have much time for a job. I had some help from academic scholarships, but most of my college bill (primarily cost of living) was paid with student loans. And trust me, I am not the only student-athlete for whom this was an issue.


I'm not comfortable with the pay-for-play idea because it favors only a select group of individuals (football and basketball players). Yes, I know those sports make money, and my sport does not, but my sport also boasts higher graduation rates (figures from when I was in college, having enrolled in 2001) and cumulative team GPAs (the 2000-2001 UW men's XC team was awarded Academic All-American honors with a cumulative team GPA of 3.78). Obviously, there needs to be a greater emphasis on graduating and actually earning a college degree. That is made more difficult when student-athletes from under-privledged backgrounds, primarily football and basketball players, can't accept money for food because they would then be accepting a "gift" and thus deemed ineligible by the NCAA, or that a scholarship is not tied so much to performance (I do believe that there should be performance-based incentive for an athletic scholarship, sorry) but whether or not the school decides to renew it from year to year. And as stated in the linked article, a new coach can come in and essentially clean house, discarding players that may not fit their particular scheme. What happens to those student-athletes? They can transfer, but always run the risk of dealing with what I dealt with and with what Todd O'Brien is currently dealing with. And there isn't a damn thing the student-athlete can do to stop them.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Gregory Alan Isakov That Moon Song

I've been on a weird, acoustic, indie kick lately. Might have something to do with my mood of late. This comes courtesy of Alec Muthig, who introduced me to Isakov. Again, lyrically, I'm digging what he has to say.


Sunday, December 18, 2011

Week Ending Dec. 18 and the New Mexico Bowl

I had a short and busy week.  The first half provided me with some decent, though short, runs, and the latter half saw me get zero runs.  That's what happens when you spend 16-17 hours in the car during a 40 hour period.  My dad and I road tripped down to Albuquerque to watch the Pokes take on Temple in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday.  Unfortunately, the only people from Wyoming that showed up were the fans.  The football team did a good job of not doing anything well.  A 37-15 defeat after what was the best season the Pokes have had in over a decade was a let down, but I suppose that this was a team that was a little ahead of schedule, is young, and will hopefully continue to improve on the strides made this season.  And regardless of the outcome, it was really fun to do something silly like drive all that way to spend about 24 hours in Albuquerque, watch a football game, and head home.

Other things are going well.  I'm excited about prospects in life.  I think everything will be gravy.  Finally.

Mon. Dec. 12 - 4 miles in 31 min (7:45 pace).  I was pretty whooped after my tough weekend.  Run in the dark on the Greenbelt after work just to get something in.

Tues. Dec. 13 - A.M. 3 miles in 22 min (7:19 pace).  Quick morning to complement my planned snowshoe run up at Happy Jack after work.

P.M. - 5 miles in 65 min (13:00).  Rachel and I went up to the trails for some early evening fun.  She skied while I snowshoed.  It was an absolutely perfect night weather-wise.  No wind, fairly warm ambient temps, and just enough moon to negate the need for a headlamp.  Beautiful evening.  Had I had my camping gear in the truck, I may very well have stayed out there that night.

Wed. Dec. 14 - 4 miles in 26:55 (6:43 pace).  I got out after work for a quick run on the Greenbelt.  I was feeling pretty good, so I dropped the pace a little.

After that, I didn't run again.  Thursday was spent working, doing laundry, and packing for the trip.  I left Laramie a little after 6am Friday, met up with my dad in Cheyenne, and hopped in his truck for the haul down to Albuquerque.  We got there at around 3:30pm, picked up our tickets, checked into the motel, and grabbed some dinner.  Game started at noon Saturday, we got out of Albuquerque around 3:30, and made it back to Cheyenne at midnight on the dot.  Very quick trip.  I spent today sleeping in, eating a huge breakfast, attempting to finish off my Christmas shopping (I failed), and then watched all the football teams I follow lose (first the Pokes, then the Packers, Vikings, and now the Broncos, who are in the process of losing).  Oh well.  I'll get back on the horse this week before I eat too much over Christmas.  Ah, the holidays!

Tailgating before the game.  Crowd was predominately Brown & Gold.
The Pokes warm up.  This was the best they looked all afternoon.
University Stadium, University of New Mexico.
The Pokes come out to the field.  And then disappeared.
Totals:
Week's Miles: 16
Running Time: 2:24
Year to Date: 1521

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Long Time, No Posting...

November has come and gone.  December is nearly halfway through, and I haven't said anything here in over a month.  Guess what?  I haven't done a whole lot in the last month, running-wise anyway.  The winter cold and doldrums have set in on the high plains, and I am just this past week altering my attitude to accommodate the atmospheric change.  While running in town on frozen pavement in zero degree temps blows, there are alternatives in which one can partake.  I have decided to change my focus to more snow and winter related activities.  More snowshoe runs, more trudging; getting prepared for the Snowy Range Snowshoe Races and the Twin Mountain Trudge.

I'm also trying to streamline things a bit.  That has been a concern/obsession for some time.  What do I really need, both metaphysically and materially?  I'm interested in keeping only the material things I need.  I'm focused on ridding myself of excess emotional baggage.  There is no reason to be so stressed out about what others do or do not do.  Not my problem.

With that, I am moving forward and onward.  I got a new position at work beginning in January that I'm excited about, I had a great time over Thanksgiving with the two best friends a dude could possibly have, and I've been hanging out with some new friends that have brought me quite a bit of fun.

Week Ending Nov. 20

Tues. Nov. 15 - 7 miles in 48 min (6:51 pace).  Post-work run on the Greenbelt in somewhat dying wind.  I ran into Horsecow a couple miles in and cruised with him for the rest of my run.  Saw Fuller out and about as well.  Great minds think alike.

Wed. Nov. 16 - 6.5 miles in 48 min (7:19 pace).  Cottonwood Estates loop.  Another chilly, windy late afternoon run.  Legs were pretty sore.

Fri. Nov. 18 - 5.5 miles in 38 min (6:54 pace).  I ran to the fieldhouse, did some form drills (high knees, butt kicks, side bounds, karioka), then 8x180m laps with half lap jog recovery.  Hit the one-lappers in 34 sec with number seven in 32 and number eight in 29.  Half lap jog rests are in same time as the one-lap pick-ups.  I found that it felt pretty damn good to run a little fast.  I sometimes miss the track.

Sun. Nov. 20 - 11 miles in 101 min (9:10 pace).  Ran a Trudge loop with Horsecow and Rachel on what turned into a beautiful day in the mountains.  Felt pretty good on the run.  First time with my pack in awhile.  Figured I'd start humping it along to get used to it again since I plan to have it with me on my planned double-loop come race day.

Totals:
Week's Miles: 30
Running Time: 3:55

Week Ending Nov. 27

Mon. Nov. 21 - 4 miles in 30 min (7:24 pace).  Quick run to work out some kinks left from the Trudge loop the day before.

Tues. Nov. 22 - 6.5 miles in 49 min (7:28 pace).  Met Horsecow at 6am for a relaxed run around town.  Very nice to get it over and done with.

Thurs. Nov. 24 - 8.5 miles in 60 min (7:00 pace).  I flew down to Tempe, AZ with Lunde to hang out with Bret over Thanksgiving weekend.  I wanted to hang out with my buddies, drink beer, enjoy some warm weather (averaged a beautiful 75 while we were there), and get in a few desert trail runs.  In that respect, the trip was very successful.  Bret dropped me off at South Mountain where I did my best not to get run over by mountain bikers and did a simple out-and-back on the Desert Classic trail.  Felt great to run in shorts and on dry trails.  After, we ate a hearty Thanksgiving dinner at Scott and Tanya's.  Good day.   

Scott and Lunde, pre-Thanksgiving drinking.  Photo: Bret Waldron.

After 3.5 years, I found Croatian beer.  In an Asian market.  In Tempe, AZ.  Worth it.


Lunde relaxes the right way.  Photo: Bret Waldron.

Brian and me, rocking some beards and drinking some beers.  Photo: Bret Waldron.

Outside Sedona, AZ.  Enjoying some scenery.

Sat. Nov. 26 - 6 miles in 44 min (7:19 pace).  I did a late afternoon run around the Arizona State campus, including a scaling of "A" Mountain.

Sun Nov. 27 - 12 miles in 88 min (7:19 pace).  Bret and Lunde dropped me off on the Hawes trails north of Mesa while they went to Franklin Field to look at airplanes.  I had a wonderful time traversing some pretty awesome single track desert trails.  Got a little warm; I have been running in Laramie after all, but otherwise I felt awesome.


Hawes Trails, North Mesa, AZ.  Awesome.  Photo: Bret Waldron


Back on the patio, drinking more beer, enjoying more fantastic weather, and bonding with Sara the dog.  Photo: Bret Waldron.
Totals: Week's Miles: 37
Running Time: 4:31

Week Ending Dec. 4

Tues. Nov. 29 - 4 miles in 28 min (7:00 pace).  Quick post-work run on the Greenbelt in the dark.  Missing AZ.  Not much fun.

Wed. Nov. 30 - 4 miles in 28 min (7:00 pace).  Same as yesterday but in the opposite direction.  Not much in the way of motivation.

November Miles: 140
Year to Date: 1453

I decided to spend my Thursday building a gear room.  I was inspired by the beauty and functionality of the gear room Bret and Jannel had at their house in Tempe.  I've had this spare bedroom that I haven't done anything with; I figured using it as a large closet in which to organize and store my running/camping/biking/guitar gear would be perfect.  Thus, I created a gear room.




Fri. Dec. 2 - 10 miles in 123 min (12:18 pace).  I went trudging up at Happy Jack.  I wanted to do the Silent Trails course, but I lost the trail half-way up the Bitch and decided that with the falling temps and setting sun, I wasn't interested in wandering around the mountainside route finding.  Hence, I turned around and went back.  I also threw on my Kahtoola microspikes for the second half and holy cow, did they make a difference.  They may have just revolutionized they way I run/train in the winter.

Totals:
Week's Miles: 18
Running Time: 2:59

Week Ending Dec. 11

Mon. Dec. 5 - 3 miles in 22 min (7:19 pace).  We had a Canadian cold front come down through the basin over the weekend, sending the temps down below zero.  I chose to go out for a run after work, in the dark, with the temp being 10 below.  I ran the first mile with my hands in my pants since they were frozen from the moment I stepped out my door.  After 20 minutes, I decided I'd had enough of this shit and called it.  I am turning into a sissy-la-la in my old age.

Wed. Dec. 7 - 8 miles in 68 min (8:30 pace).  I got a message from Rachel wanting to know if I would be interested in a run.  Of course!  I hadn't put in a lot of miles the last week or two, and I can tell that it was affecting my mood.  I'm glad she got me outside.  It warmed up to 34 today and it was one of those runs that two steps in, I immediately felt better about everything in general.

Thurs. Dec. 8 - 5.5 miles in 47 min (8:32 pace).  My first snowshoe run in forever.  I hit up Headquarters and Summit as the sun was setting and a nearly full moon was rising.  No need for a headlamp tonight!  Got my butt kicked a little; my calves have some acclimating to do with the snowshoes, but it's nice to get up top and out of town.

Fri. Dec. 9 - 5.5 miles in 40 min (7:16 pace).  Morning form workout at the fieldhouse.  I was a little sore from the snowshoes last night, but once I got into the one-lappers, I got most of the kinks worked out.  Form drills (high knees, butt kicks, side bounds, karioka) and 8x180m laps with half lap rest in same time as one laps.  Averaged 34-35 on the first seven and then finished number eight in 29 just for fun.

Sat. Dec. 10 - 9 miles in 97 min (10:46 pace).  Elizabeth and I went up to the Snowies to enjoy some awesome weather.  I dropped her off at the ski area and continued up the hill to the Green Rock trailhead to snowshoe run.  Had a good time stomping around Barber Lake Road and Libby Creek trail.  Finished up, picked up Elizabeth and stopped at the Bear Tree for their famous pizza and a nice, cold PBR. 

Sun. Dec. 11 - 11 miles in 152 min (13:49 pace).  I was maybe a little over-ambitious when I thought combining a long snowshoe run with a Trudge loop in one weekend was a good idea, but I got it done.  The Trudge loop has quite a bit more snow on it than three weeks ago and I was pretty cooked from the run the day before.  I was out there a little longer than I had anticipated, but it was another beautiful day, so in the end, I didn't mind.  Pretty decent training week.

Totals:
Week's Miles: 42
Running Time: 7:06
December Miles: 52
Year to Date: 1505

Gear: Asics SpeedStar 5 (355 miles), Saucony Peregrine (109 miles)