The proposed transfer of UCLA and USC from the Pac-12 convention to the Large Ten has rocked the faculty sports activities panorama. Many traditionalists lament the truth that age-old rivalries that have been rooted in geographic proximity and comfort will now not exist. Nevertheless, that geographical alignment rationale has lengthy since evaporated. What issues isn’t geography, however cash. And the elevated income that the colleges stand to realize in shifting to the Large Ten is a chance for athletic departments to radically rethink the way to assist pupil athletes.
USC’s standing as a non-public college seems to have simplified the decision-making course of. Nevertheless, the deliberation is rather more difficult for UCLA, with its ties to the College of California system and its standing as a public establishment. The UC regents will vote Wednesday on UCLA’s proposed departure to the Large Ten. Some UC regents are frightened there will probably be a lack of income for UC Berkeley by UCLA’s departure from the Pac-12.
However each UCLA and USC, together with different members of the Pac-12, haven’t been glad with the TV and media income payout from the convention in recent times. In Might, when the convention launched its 2020-21 monetary outcomes, every of its 12 member faculties reportedly acquired just below $20 million for the 12 months from the convention’s $344 million in income. That determine was down from about $34 million per college the 12 months earlier than. With the transfer to Large Ten, media contracts may yield near a billion {dollars} a 12 months, with some estimates suggesting that Large Ten members may obtain wherever from $65 million to $100 million a 12 months.
UCLA’s athletic division is managing a three-year $100-million debt. Being within the Large Ten means the division would have extra assets for pupil athletes and wouldn’t have to chop different sports activities as we have now seen at universities elsewhere across the nation.
Some opponents to the Large Ten migration have raised issues that Black male college students, specifically, could be most harmed by the choice. Black males make up about 14% of UCLA’s pupil athletes, in response to knowledge from UCLA’s admissions workplace, and Black male pupil athletes who stay at UCLA for 5 or 6 years have commencement charges which are equal to, if not greater, than Black males who aren’t pupil athletes. If there’s fear concerning the transfer harming Black male pupil athletes, that’s trigger for a a lot deeper and totally different dialogue, as a result of they face extra advanced challenges than which convention their college is in.
Critics of the Large Ten transition additionally say it will likely be dangerous for pupil athletes who must spend further time and days touring throughout the nation to areas akin to Maryland or New Jersey. They are saying cash is being positioned above the wants of pupil athletes. However the improve in journey days could be minimal in comparison with present journey schedules and apply solely to some sports activities.
Furthermore, the Large Ten will enable UCLA to supply enhanced assets that gamers are asking for to compete as elite college students and elite athletes. As an example, the athletic division may double and even triple its funding in studying specialists, tutors, mentors and different educational assist employees. By offering pupil athletes with extra custom-made assist, together with digital tutoring and mentoring, educational outcomes can enhance considerably. Extra funding would enable educational assist employees to journey with groups (which some already do) to make sure that college students are getting the correct educational help wanted whereas touring.
A recreation changer could be if educational departments working with the athletic division decide to a versatile hybrid mannequin for sure programs. We realized through the pandemic that many college students most popular the net studying format for flexibility and comfort. Shifting to a mannequin with extra on-line programs would basically imply that pupil athletes wouldn’t miss a lot, if any, class time in any respect.
One other space of funding might be in psychological well being assist. Many school college students, together with pupil athletes, battle with nervousness, despair and different points. By hiring extra therapists and psychological well being specialists who would work completely with pupil athletes, the college could be taking a daring stance to make pupil wellness and psychological well being a precedence.
The inflow of extra income may additionally create a primary stipend for all pupil athletes. Every individual may obtain a base-level revenue that goes past room and board, serving to to cowl the excessive value of dwelling in Los Angeles.
This can be a time for UCLA to be a frontrunner in really prioritizing pupil athlete well-being holistically and creating a brand new mannequin for athletic departments. If managed responsibly and transparently, the Large Ten income boon may go a great distance in offering a constructive expertise for all pupil athletes.
Tyrone C. Howard is professor of schooling within the Faculty of Schooling & Info Research at UCLA. He’s additionally director of the UCLA Black Male Institute and director of the UCLA Pritzker Heart for Strengthening Youngsters & Households.
