Opinions

Postseason football

Kevin Weiberg, commissioner
Big 12 Conference
The Associated Press

On establishing a new formula for determining participants in the Bowl Championship Series title game:

"We're proceeding in a deliberate fashion because ... the poll has been a subject of a lot of controversy and we want to make sure that by making changes we're not creating different types of problems from perhaps what we had in the past. We want to receive some assurance that the changes that we may have in mind are sound from a mathematical standpoint."

Professional draft

David Ridpath, associate director
The Drake Group
Indianapolis Star

On draft restrictions in the National Football League and a proposed restriction in the National Basketball Association:

"Where is the outrage over minor-league baseball? There is none because it doesn't generate the revenue football and basketball do. No one complains when those students leave. No one complains over lack of an age restriction."

Dick Vitale, college basketball commentator
espn.com
On eight of the first 19 NBA draft picks being fresh out of high school:

"I fault the system, not these young men, for the influx of high-schoolers in the NBA. These guys are not ready for the rigors of an 82-game schedule or the pressure of the pro lifestyle. They have not had enough time to mature and they are missing out on enjoying the great time of college life. Instead of being the big men on campus, they are often riding the pine in the NBA, not getting much of a chance to improve their game.

"I learned first-hand as a coach in the NBA that it's very different in terms of practice time to work on aspects of the game with these young men. Due to travel and the long schedule, the pros have more shoot-arounds and less time to actually work on improving. ...

"For now, the NBA has very few impact players from the draft. At least one thing, despite the loss of all of these high-school stars, the college ranks are very strong when you judge the returning talent. College basketball is very healthy, thank you."

Basketball camps

Howard Garfinkel, founder
Five Star Basketball Camp
Newsweek

On increasing importance of "exposure camps" sponsored by athletics shoe companies:

"It's hard getting the great players today to work on their game in the summer. They don't think they have to get better; all they have to do is stay the same and they'll go in the NBA. That's their mind-set."

Integrating athletics

Damon Evans, director of athletics
University of Georgia
Columbus (Georgia) Ledger-Enquirer

"I think (the athletics department) needs to become more a part of the university. I think people need to remember we are part of the University of Georgia. You can't have the athletics department without the university. Instead of having this fear of what's going to take place if we become more a part of campus, they need to see how this can benefit us overall. It can be done, and why not utilize those resources from the academic side of things to help us grow athletically and vice versa. ...

"If we do what we're supposed to do on our side and work with the academic community, that will make things that much better. We can't be split and then say, 'We need some help with these kids.' We need the academic side to understand what we're about. We can't mess around."

Division I Baseball Championship

Bob Todd, head baseball coach
Ohio State University
Deseret Morning News

"Twenty percent of the country controls the national championship. It's not fair. It's time we make a stand. I feel a heavy burden in that I represent 80 percent of the country."