Why just athletes on college campus?
At the highest levels of college athletics, the term “student-athlete” has long been a scam. If transparency was the goal, the word “athlete” would come first with “student” behind a long line of hyphens.
Rarely has that hypocrisy been more apparent than this summer.
Most colleges have suspended inperson classes, deeming it unsafe to study, research and learn in large groups during a pandemic. Classrooms and laboratories are silent.
Yet, in the athletic facilities, the weights clank as players prepare for seasons that are in doubt.
In most cases, these workouts are labeled as voluntary. But we all know how that works: if you don’t volunteer, you probably don’t play.
In Arizona, the contrast between silent classrooms and busy weight rooms has been highlighted over the last month.
In late June, University of Arizona President Robert Robbins said the university couldn’t re-open for students on campus at the rate COVID-19 cases were increasing at that point.
“If had to say today, would we open? No,” Robbins said.
Via twitter, Wildcats cornerback Malik Hausman responded with the obvious question:
“So why me and my team on campus then?”
A month later, the question remains pertinent.
Last week, Arizona announced three football players had tested positive for the virus.
On Monday, Northern Arizona University officials confirmed that some athletes had tested positive. Details such as the number of athletes and the sports in which they play were not released.
“Like so many other universities, NAU Athletics will have positive cases of COVID and has dedicated a considerable amount of time and planning to mitigate the risks to our student athletes, and athletics faculty and staff,” NAU spokesperson Kimberly Ott said in a written statement.
Arizona Athletic Director Dave Heeke also addressed the Wildcats’ positive tests in a statement.
“Our athletics department’s re-entry, testing and medical processes have been effective and efficient. Arizona Athletics will continue to work closely with President Robbins, University leadership and campus partners in our commitment to protect the health of our community. Assessments and consultations with our local health authorities, the University of Arizona, the Pac-12 Conference and the NCAA are ongoing as we look to resume the safe and healthy return of student-athletes and staff to campus.”
Arizona State’s athletic department isn’t releasing testing data, citing a university-wide policy.
I have no doubt the assertions in the statements above are true. Athletic departments are full of people whose hearts are in the right places, and they don’t want to think “we could have done more” after an athlete tests positive.
Officials at some schools and conferences have pushed the belief that athletes are safer on campuses than they are living at home and visiting the gym down the street, provided it’s open.
That’s true in some cases, probably not in some others.
Like most things, the people involved.
it depends upon
But the whole process is up to its naval cavity in hypocrisy.
Across the country, officials at universities are trying to figure out safe ways to bring students back to campuses.
So, what’s that make the athletes currently on campuses? Guinea pigs? Canaries in the coal mines?
No doubt they are being well taken care of in terms of testing, tracing and treatment, but will other students have the same level of access?
We all know the answer to that in most cases. They won’t.
The difference, of course, is that football players help generate millions for their athletic departments.
If there is no season, other sports will be suspended or cut, as we’ve already seen numerous schools around the country.
Meanwhile, universities are trying to determine how, or if, it will be safe for other students to return to campuses.
If they deem it isn’t, more players will be asking versions of Hausman’s question:
“Why are we here then?”
The answer is age old: Because the university considers them more athlete than student.