Pay student athletes

Geri Zehren is correct, stating that something should be done to compensate college athletes (“Paying student athletes,” Crossroads, Dec. 18).

After all, the colleges reap a lot of money from their sports, far more than the funds required to put on the games.

Zehren stated that the only compensation is free tuition. When I went to college back in the early 1960s, that free tuition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison was about $150 a semester as I recall, and I do not think athletes got it free.

Today, we are talking about $10,000 for in-state and more than $12,000 for out-of state undergrads. If we assume two, three or four years of athletic participation, that adds up to big money. I know several folks who picked out a school based on the reputation of such school of graduating heavy hitters for the professional ranks. And many of those schools turn out to have the highest tuitions. Of course, room and board must be added as well.

Zehren’s suggestion that freetuition athletes be made to pay it back sounds like a good idea — for those who actually make it to the the professional ranks. The reality is that very few college athletes actually make it to the highest levels in college, and even fewer of the college stars make it into the professional ranks.

We have many non-athlete college grads today, even in STEM fields, who can’t land a job in their field due to our economy. So to promote free tuition to athletes will require some complicated system of give-back so as not to put undue burden on the majority of student athletes. It cannot be as simple as just forgiving the free tuition for those not making it to the professional ranks.

College finances in many states are under pressure. Many states are cash-strapped, and we know what Gov. Scott Walker has done here in Wisconsin. For them to forgo the tuition with a "promise to repay years later" is not comforting now.

Bob Krowas

Extending childhood?

You have to register for the draft, if you’re male, at age18. Male or female, you can vote at age18. Drinking and smoking at age 21. You can stay on your parent’s health insurance until you are 26 years old.

Now the call has been made to set up trust funds for college athletes to be paid out at age 30 (“Paying student athletes,” Crossroads, Dec. 18).

Childhood has become a neverending story.

Tom Henrichs

Don’t block the walk

Winter weather is here. It seems again, as in years past, people have no idea how to park in the winter.

The “carriage walk,” as it is known — the little sidewalk between the curb and the public sidewalk, usually two to three feet wide — actually has a purpose. In olden days, it was used for the horse and carriage to stop and let passengers off so as not to step in the mud or slush.

In present day, it is used in the same manner, to drop people off, or to park your vehicle on either side, not in front of it, so as to walk safely to the public sidewalk.

I admit that when I was in my 20s and still living at home with my parents, I never gave it a second thought. I just schlepped through the snow banks and ice. I was fearless! Until a neighbor across the street from my parents set me straight. If a neighbor takes the time and effort to keep this walkway clear, he or she is using it.

Now that we are older and have elderly parents visiting, and after hubby’s recent surgery, we rely on this walkway to remain unobstructed.

So, please be thoughtful and kind to your neighbors this winter and park accordingly.

Cathy Markey