Jim Delany, commissioner
Big Ten Conference
Chicago Tribune

"Today, the system that served so many so well and for so long is being called into question by the media, the public and even by some coaches and student-athletes. They assert that some student-athletes in revenue sports should be paid for their participation, or that athletes in specific revenue sports should receive special financial consideration above and beyond the cost of education or emergency situations. They believe the market forces that drive professional sports participation, or any other private-sector activity, should provide the controlling principle for the relationship between the student-athlete and the university. ...

"While we must be open to novel approaches and new ideas, paying student-athletes to play or providing one class of student-athletes a menu of additional benefits beyond the cost of education is not supportable within the context of Big Ten intercollegiate athletics -- now or in the future. ...

"Whatever marketplace arguments may exist on behalf of pay for play, they are far outweighed by the athletics and educational value of the experience provided by our institutions in the name of intercollegiate athletics."

Andrew Bagnato, columnist
Chicago Tribune

"But scholarships have value only if the education is received. If you think college athletes are being educated, listen closely to their media interviews during the upcoming NCAA men's basketball tournament. If you're still uncertain, consult the latest NCAA graduation-rates report, which shows that about half of Division I-A football players and Division I men's basketball players never graduate."

Diversity

Rudy Washington, commissioner
Southwestern Athletic Conference
Birmingham Post-Herald

"When the media talks about diversity and integration, they always run and talk to black folks about it. Go talk to the people who need to open the door. Don't keep calling black folks and ask them why they can't get into the country clubs. Ask the people who are stopping them."

Amateurism

Rick LaRose, men's golf coach
University of Arizona
Arizona Republic

Discussing proposed amateurism deregulation's effect on college golf:

"Golfers who want to go pro should go pro and forget about being an amateur. The USGA is doing a great job of monitoring golf as a governing body, and we shouldn't be messing with that. This could open up a big can of worms that we just don't need. It's hard to say what effect it might have until we get into it, but I'm not someone who wants to take the first step."