Saturday, March 27, 2004
Think college 'ballers shouldn't be paid?
From the Associated Press:The starting point guard for Kentucky's basketball team has withdrawn his 2003 Southeastern Conference championship ring from an Internet auction site.
Cliff Hawkins, whose Kentucky career ended Sunday when the Wildcats lost to Alabama-Birmingham in the second round of the NCAA tournament, put the ring up for sale on eBay on Tuesday. He withdrew it two days later, after the bidding had surpassed $3,000.
"It was a mistake," he said. "I don't know what I was thinking. I have removed the ring from eBay. In no way did I intend to offend or embarrass the great fans of Kentucky.
Nothing but sympathy for Hawkins. Sure, his maneuver cheapens Kentucky's SEC championship. But the NCAA's failure to acknowledge college sports as a cash cow and recognize and reward student-athletes for their contributions places many players in precarious financial positions.
