This is why NIL should be a non fear factor.

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March 27th, 2024, 02:23 pm
CajunVic

Re: This is why NIL should be a non fear factor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunT

Exactly, but unfortunately, they are tied together because without the change in transfer rules the issues with buying players specifically from G5 programs wouldn't be impactful as it is today.

Going back to Turbine's post saying that this has always been an issue with Top athletes getting paid under the table and there will always be players left in the portal, is misleading. Yes, there were a number left in the portal for a reason and those athletes may have baggage amongst other concerns. The problem the G5 faces today is many of the top P5 programs are circumventing the yearly scholarship limitation by giving athletes that we are normally recruiting on NIL money plus the stipend. Sometimes the cost per semester is $50K all funded for by outside NIL money. So, they are buying athletes an thinning out the available 3-star and 2-star athletes as preferred walk-ons.

For all practical purposes, NIL makes scholarship limitations virtually meaningless for those with unlimited NIL funds available.
March 27th, 2024, 03:43 pm
CajunRage

Re: This is why NIL should be a non fear factor.

Speaking of scholarships, are we recovering our essentially "stolen" scholarship money? At this point, NIL is what it is, but if my tax dollars are paying for a student athlete to "attend" college when they aren't here for the purpose of graduating, I want my money back.

This could also be a legal loophole to hindering the wild west of the portal. You can leave, but here's your bill.
March 27th, 2024, 03:51 pm
VObserver

Re: This is why NIL should be a non fear factor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunRage

Speaking of scholarships, are we recovering our essentially "stolen" scholarship money? At this point, NIL is what it is, but if my tax dollars are paying for a student athlete to "attend" college when they aren't here for the purpose of graduating, I want my money back.

This could also be a legal loophole to hindering the wild west of the portal. You can leave, but here's your bill.

Scholarships are year to year. Once an athlete enters the portal he [or she] is giving notice of their intent to leave the program. They would only be "stealing" our money if they left without completing the season for which they have a current scholarship. The university is under no obligation whatsoever to support a student beyond the end of the semester for which their scholarship applies.

Conversely, once the semester ends which marks the end of their scholarship, the student is under no obligation whatsoever to return for the following year.
March 28th, 2024, 07:45 am
CajunRage

Re: This is why NIL should be a non fear factor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VObserver

Scholarships are year to year. Once an athlete enters the portal he [or she] is giving notice of their intent to leave the program. They would only be "stealing" our money if they left without completing the season for which they have a current scholarship. The university is under no obligation whatsoever to support a student beyond the end of the semester for which their scholarship applies.

Conversely, once the semester ends which marks the end of their scholarship, the student is under no obligation whatsoever to return for the following year.

Maybe they should re-write scholarships. Review class attendance, grades, etc. If the student shows good intentions, waive the repayment. If you are coming to take 12 credits in PE, underwater basketweaving, etc just be eligible and then leave, pay it back.

FWIW: I went through college on TOPS. I also think TOPS needs a major overhaul. When you get two semesters free where you don't make grades before you get kicked out, there is a major waste of tax dollars. It should be a loan repayment program. We can't control what happens with NIL, but we can damn sure make adjustments so the tax dollars going to school aren't thrown in the trash.
March 28th, 2024, 08:51 am
VObserver

Re: This is why NIL should be a non fear factor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunRage

Maybe they should re-write scholarships. Review class attendance, grades, etc. If the student shows good intentions, waive the repayment. If you are coming to take 12 credits in PE, underwater basketweaving, etc just be eligible and then leave, pay it back.

FWIW: I went through college on TOPS. I also think TOPS needs a major overhaul. When you get two semesters free where you don't make grades before you get kicked out, there is a major waste of tax dollars. It should be a loan repayment program. We can't control what happens with NIL, but we can damn sure make adjustments so the tax dollars going to school aren't thrown in the trash.

Don't get me started on TOPS. What started out as a merit scholarship program has devolved into a participation prize. Basically, if you can get into college you get TOPS.
March 28th, 2024, 09:06 am
CajunRage

Re: This is why NIL should be a non fear factor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VObserver

Don't get me started on TOPS. What started out as a merit scholarship program has devolved into a participation prize. Basically, if you can get into college you get TOPS.

I saw an article at one point that 60% of the money goes to 1st and 2nd semester students. Think about that for a second.
March 28th, 2024, 09:22 am
cajun4life

Re: This is why NIL should be a non fear factor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunRage

I saw an article at one point that 60% of the money goes to 1st and 2nd semester students. Think about that for a second.

That’s because nearly everyone gets into college, but not everyone is cut out for college. By their 2nd semester that have failed out.
March 28th, 2024, 09:56 am
RedTails

Re: This is why NIL should be a non fear factor.

TOPS program cost the state $321 million in 2020 (most recent figure I could find).

LA FY 2024 Budget reported $51 billion in total spending.

Kind of seems like a drop in the bucket for the potential return we receive from one of the only perks of living in last-ranked Louisiana, and some of you want to go after it. I'm fine with students being given 2 semesters to sink or swim on my dollar.

Edit: LA legislators are trying to decrease the severance tax* on oil wells by a few percentage points (12.5% -> 8.5%), which will decrease tax revenue by $80 million / year. That $80 million we're losing funded nearly 25% of TOPS.

*Severance tax is a state tax imposed on the extraction of non-renewable natural resources that are intended for consumption in other states.
March 28th, 2024, 11:44 am
CajunRage

Re: This is why NIL should be a non fear factor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTails

TOPS program cost the state $321 million in 2020 (most recent figure I could find).

LA FY 2024 Budget reported $51 billion in total spending.

Kind of seems like a drop in the bucket for the potential return we receive from one of the only perks of living in last-ranked Louisiana, and some of you want to go after it. I'm fine with students being given 2 semesters to sink or swim on my dollar.

Edit: LA legislators are trying to decrease the severance tax* on oil wells by a few percentage points (12.5% -> 8.5%), which will decrease tax revenue by $80 million / year. That $80 million we're losing funded nearly 25% of TOPS.

*Severance tax is a state tax imposed on the extraction of non-renewable natural resources that are intended for consumption in other states.

Or you can look at it as $1.2 billion over 4 years. A bad investment is a bad investment. There are plenty of other means to get financial aid. TOPS has been an excuse for too many people to F off for two semesters without consequence.

But back to the topic, I don't think we should be wasting dollars on NIL athletes. It should be spent on students (who may happen to be athletes).
March 28th, 2024, 12:29 pm
CajunNation

Re: This is why NIL should be a non fear factor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VObserver

Don't get me started on TOPS. What started out as a merit scholarship program has devolved into a participation prize. Basically, if you can get into college you get TOPS.

The price of tuition in LA went through the roof as soon as TOPS was expanded. The amount of money this state flushes down the toilet on TOPS should be criminal.
March 28th, 2024, 01:25 pm
RedTails

Re: This is why NIL should be a non fear factor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CajunRage

Or you can look at it as $1.2 billion over 4 years. A bad investment is a bad investment. There are plenty of other means to get financial aid. TOPS has been an excuse for too many people to F off for two semesters without consequence.

But back to the topic, I don't think we should be wasting dollars on NIL athletes. It should be spent on students (who may happen to be athletes).

So $1.2 billion of $200 billion in 4 years of state spending. Won't convince me that that's a bad investment. There are many ways government wastes money, investing in educating our children isn't one of them. I mean that's 0.6% of spending that gives a DIRECT benefit to Louisiana citizens.

Quote:

The price of tuition in LA went through the roof as soon as TOPS was expanded. The amount of money this state flushes down the toilet on TOPS should be criminal.

Tuition costs have risen quickly, but it's a national trend. I'd imagine that even without TOPS, tuition for public higher ed in LA would still be high due to availability of student loans.
March 28th, 2024, 02:06 pm
CajunRage

Re: This is why NIL should be a non fear factor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedTails

So $1.2 billion of $200 billion in 4 years of state spending. Won't convince me that that's a bad investment. There are many ways government wastes money, investing in educating our children isn't one of them. I mean that's 0.6% of spending that gives a DIRECT benefit to Louisiana citizens.

What DIRECT benefit is paying for 2 semesters up front for them to just drop out providing? I'm not saying to blow up the whole system. Make it a loan repayment/forgiveness program upon graduation (with some type of hardship waiver option).

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