Ross Bishoff: Banning scholarships? Not likely, but interesting

Last week, consumer advocate Ralph Nader called for the elimination of college athletic scholarships. His argument is this bold move would “de-professionalize” college athletes.

He went on to argue the desire to attain college scholarships results in a “win-at-all-costs” attitude in high school sports.

“An entire industry has developed in the youth sports arena — club teams, personal trainers, etc. — to prey on families’ dreams of an athletic scholarship,” he said. “The lure of the elusive athletic scholarship is the primary — sometimes the only — marketing tool these youth sports entrepreneurs use.”

Obviously, college scholarships aren’t going anywhere, nor should they.

Though I do not believe, as some do, that college athletes should be paid, I certainly think sports scholarships are a good thing overall. What Nader fails to account for is all the athletes from lower-profile sports — anything not named basketball or football — who benefit greatly from these scholarships.

Still, part of me doesn’t hate what Nader’s doing, though the motivation is unclear.

Normally, when politicians wade into the sports arena it’s nothing more than grandstanding. Example: Congress taking on steroids or Orrin Hatch’s quest to get a college football playoff system.

Taking on steroids in sports or “fighting” for a college football playoff system is easy because so many fans, and therefore voters, are all for it. In this case, Nader is taking a very unpopular stance. But his stance is backed by interesting reasoning.

It’s almost like he thought it out.

And it got me thinking what if? What if college scholarships were suddenly gone?

Would we need AAU basketball anymore?

Would kids still specialize?

It would completely change the face of high school and youth sports — possibly in many positive ways.

All of the sudden, the best football player doesn’t spend the winter and spring traveling around to different clinics and camps to get noticed. Instead, he wrestles then plays baseball.

Suddenly, the best basketball player doesn’t need AAU, instead she plays volleyball and runs track.

Maybe parents aren’t so angry at coaches and the sports media for not pushing their kids more, maybe the overall success of the team is suddenly enough.

Would high school, junior high, youth sports be less fun? Less competitive?

Doubtful.

If anything amateur sports might be more enjoyable, more competitive. If a standout athlete at Bath suddenly doesn’t have a college scholarship as the almighty goal, would he or she want to beat Shawnee or Elida any less? Heck no.

Sports fans often blast professional athletes for playing for a paycheck, claiming college and high school athletes do it for love of the game only. Sadly, I haven’t believed that in years.

Anyone who has been around high school athletics the past 20 years knows that the drive for a college scholarship, by athletes, coaches and parents, has become almost an obsession to many, though maybe not all.

I’ll grant you college is ridiculously expensive, but oftentimes the fight to attain a college ride goes too far, especially when realistic assessment of talent goes bye-bye.

Of course, banning scholarships completely is unrealistic.

Still, what if?