The Transfer Portal

Posted on July 26, 2021 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

ncaa transfer portalOn the TunneySide of Sports July 26, 2021 #858 Up next… The Transfer Portal

After further review… Will the NCAA Division l transfer portal be cataclysmic? Or is that we are in a new era/new thinking/new who knows?

Let’s define what is known about the idea of a transfer portal. When a student-athlete signs his/her letter of intent to attend a Division I school and then wants to change schools, he/she must register that intent on the “transfer portal” list. This is a site where not only can student-athletes inform other Division I schools of their intent but it also notifies school compliance officers and other athletic personnel of that student-athletes intention. At this writing, it does not apply to Division II schools, but it looks like that is on the horizon.

Further, the NCAA, particularly Division I have been under “fire” about its position for denial of NIL (Name, Image and/or Likeness) of student-athletes receiving financial remunerations. The Supreme Court has now stepped in to allow student-athletes (yes, they still carry that label) to get paid for the use of their NIL. It’s too early in that “game” to determine its abuse but it’s likely to happen.

In 2018, the NCAA Division I changed its policy on a student-athlete transferring from one Division I school to another Division I school and being able to compete immediately. Up to 2018, athletes transferring had to sit out a year. Or, in some cases, transfer to a community college for one year then go on to their newly chosen Division I school and were able to compete immediately. Now that one-year “wait” time has been eliminated except for football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and men’s ice hockey. Why the exception for those sports? It appears those five attract illegal recruiting more often. Stay tuned.

The concern here is that some sports agents, seeing the amount of money “on-the-table” find ways, legally or illegally, to maneuver around established rules to get their hands on athletes making good money. As an example of that maneuvering, one of those was the recent subject of “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.” Some agents were attracting foreign baseball players (mostly from the Dominican Republic) offering them large sums of money right now but contracting with them for a lifetime guaranteed percentage of their upcoming multi-million-dollar contract. This is legal. But ethical?

While many agree that athletes deserve a “piece of the pie,” there need to be safeguards put in place!

Will you log-in on how to protect student-athletes from unprincipled agents’ illegal maneuvering?

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Jim’s books include many messages about rules and regulations (remember he was a referee). His bobblehead on your desk or shelf will be a treasure in your office or home. A special July 4th offer (I know it’s over) Bobblehead for $30. (tax and shipping included) and one book of your choice.

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com  or email jim@jimtunney.com.

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No Fans Allowed At The 2021 Olympics!

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

Sha’Carri RichardsonOn the TunneySide of Sports July 19, 2021 #857 Up next… No Fans Are Allowed At The 2021 Summer Olympics!

After further review… We are now sure that includes Sha’Carri Richardson, the 5’1” Texan sprinter who won the 100-meter United States Olympic Trials in Oregon earlier this month. Later she was disqualified. Did she “jump-the-gun”? Did she interfere with her competitor in the next lane?

Nope! This 21-year-old LSU freshman ran that 100-meters in 10.86 and is one of the 10-fastest women in the world. She says she is “only human.” Ha! it must be added that with that speed, she is more super-human. She said her role model was Florence Griffith Joyner, a former UCLA Bruin who died from suffocation in her sleep due to an epileptic seizure some 3 years ago. Flo-Jo is the current 100-meter world record holder at 10.49- just about one-half second faster than Richardson’s mark in Oregon.

Sha’Carri’s disqualification was the result of her use of marijuana prior to that race at the Olympic trials. The US Olympic Track and Field Committee, while under some scrutiny for its position on the use of marijuana, made it clear to all Olympic trials’ athletes that pot is against the rules. Richardson’s test following her outstanding achievement discovered the use of that banned substance.

Richardson is to be congratulated for her sportsmanlike response to such a personally devastating defeat. From all that has been printed/noted, she accepted the Olympic committee’s decision with the heart of a champion! Since she was aware of the ruling, why would she knowingly violate it? The short answer is that she was informed (prior to that race) that her biological mother had recently died. It had a huge emotional impact on her.

If you saw that race, you noticed when Sha’Carri crossed the finish line with her orange hair flowing behind her, she immediately climbed into the stand to give a hug and big thanks to her grandmother, who raised her and gave her such positive reinforcements that encouraged her toward success. Yes, she will be a fan who watches on TV, while her teammates carry on with her only in their hearts and minds.

The question many are asking is: Did that use of marijuana help her physically to achieve that 10.86 Olympic Trials victory? While it was a banned substance, experts report it did not provide her with any physical assistance. For Sha’Carri its use was for her emotional stability.

Will you offer your thoughts: Should Sha’Carri have been allowed on this 2020 US Olympic T*E*A*M?

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Jim’s books include many messages about rules and regulations (remember he was a referee). His bobblehead on your desk or shelf will be a treasure in your office or home. A special July 4th offer (I know it’s over) Bobblehead for $30. (tax and shipping included) and one book of your choice.

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com  or email jim@jimtunney.com.

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What About Respect? Civility?

Posted on July 12, 2021 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

Rude standing sports fansOn the TunneySide of Sports July 12, 2021 #856 Up next… What About Respect? Civility?

After further review… Can the words civility and sports fans be used in the same sentence? If the simple definition of civility is courtesy and the word fan is abbreviated from fanatic (excessively enthusiastic), can fans be courteous?

We recently observed that fans have thrown objects at NBA players as well as shouting vulgar and obscene names at them during and after games. We’ve also noticed that some fans, wanting to cheer on their T*E*A*M by standing up thereby blocking the view of other fans, who were cheering the same team, but seated. All of these fans were in seats near the playing floor. The seated fans asked those standing to please sit down since those seated couldn’t see. Those standing refused to sit. If you were one of those standing, what would you do?

It was observed that those standing were younger (20s-30s), while those seated were older (50s-60s). Older fans intend to sit more than stand, and at stadium events usually sit throughout the event. Attending a concert an older audience usually remains seated, except for an occasional standing ovation. During an athletic event, standing happens more often.

Younger fans tend to stand throughout – rock concerts and the like. You may have noticed that during college sporting events, students stand the entire game – football and basketball. During the recent NCAA Baseball World Series, most all attendees were seated except for the occasional home run.

During the aforementioned confrontation, the fans’ response to the request to sit down was, “We paid for these seats,  and we’ll stand if we want to.” Those sitting replied, “Well, if you paid for the seats, sit in them!” “NO!” came back from the other side. The banter continued.

Since today’s younger crowd wants to stand, the question is: Is it their right, even if they do block the view of others?” Those standing argue that standing creates more enthusiasm and support for their team. If you observe players closely you may notice that while the players welcome their fans’ attendance, they don’t care much if they stand or sit.

One caution: Please be careful in fan confrontation in today’s world since it may lead to violence.

Will you be considerate of others not only in arenas but in all parts of society?

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Jim’s books not only have personal stories about interesting sportspeople but also contain principles and philosophies about the value of sports. See website for details.

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com  or email jim@jimtunney.com.

Posted in Sports, Tunney Side of Sports Columns | Tagged | Leave a comment