I am writing in response to the letter "Allow college athletes to major in their sport of choice" (CT, Nov 19).
First off, Matt Leinart returned to USC for his senior season of football. As a fifth-year senior, he came back to school to finish his degree, taking a ballroom dancing course to complete a requirement for his sociology degree.
Granted, it was an easy course, but he passed up millions as a possible first or second pick to complete his degree. And all this occurred after he won the Heisman Trophy his junior year.
As for Tebow, he uses his major almost every week, talking about his faith and its role in football to children, families and even prisoners, and attends mission trips throughout most of the summer. So, before you bash these athletes, check up on their motives.
Yes, the NBA policy is just asking for "one-and-done" players because they aren't necessarily required to attend any classes. They will be placed on probation after the first semester then kicked out of school after the spring semester, but they will have already declared for the draft and left school. The NFL policy is more proactive, requiring an athlete to be at least three years removed from high school to declare for the draft. This gives a student-athlete ample time to make significant progress toward his or her degree.
Now, for your argument about letting student-athletes major in their respective sports, it is far-fetched and unrealistic. You say only the best of the best can get in.
What happens with the five-star recruit who has a career-ending knee or neck injury? What good would a major in football or basketball do for them then? What about the freshman walk-on who becomes a first-round draft pick during his collegiate career? So, since he wasn't the "best of the best" and couldn't get into that major, he is not as prepared as the rest of the athletes?
Let the student major in any program currently offered, and if you're worried about how they will spend their money, require or strongly suggest them to minor in business or at least take a few business courses.
This lets them major in something they might want to pursue after their playing days, yet still gives them a beneficial background on how to handle the money if it comes. By offering a football or basketball major that only lasts two to three years, aren't schools just asking the player to leave early?
I agree with trying everything possible to get an athlete to graduate, but optimistic views and realistic views are not the same here.
Most of the athletes who decide to leave early do it in order to better the life of their family or because they have nothing left to prove in collegiate sports, as in the case of Kevin Durant and Reggie Bush.
Why would they want to turn down $10 million per year and risk injury? While it is very beneficial to stay in school, receive the diploma, and further their skills in the sport, it is tough to ask a player to risk injury and give up years of professional sports.
Plus, they could still come back after retirement to finish their degree -- it's difficult to do this the other way around.
Chris Lautenschlager