While most college students are stuck in libraries in front of a textbook, some student-athletes will be on the road preparing for football, missing class and valuable study time, begging the question of whether such games put an unnecessary burden on student-athletes.
“I’m very conflicted about the games and when they’re played,” said Kansas State head coach Ron Prince during Monday’s Big 12 conference call. “I think that one of the biggest issues is that we have a lot of terrific teams and a lot of terrific quarterbacks, and I can understand why it’s important for the kids and the programs to be seen nationally, and I think it’s a great opportunity.”
Midweek games are becoming increasingly common. Friday’s Baylor-Connecticut game will mark the third straight matchup between Big 12 and Big East teams this week. Combined with the usual slate of Saturday games, the four-day stretch will mark the first time in the Big 12’s history that games have been played on four consecutive days.
A national broadcast on a day when it is the only football game scheduled can do wonders for a program’s exposure. Kansas State’s Wednesday game against Louisville was aired on ESPN2 and Thursday’s West Virginia-Colorado match up was shown on ESPN. Friday’s Baylor-Connecticut game is scheduled to be broadcasted on ESPN2.
“Any time you get an opportunity to put your product out there, it’s great for your fans and your alums and your recruiting as well, so all that stuff means something,” Colorado head coach Dan Hawkins said.
Player’s echoed the sentiment.
“This is one of those games you dream about playing,” Colorado defensive tackle George Hypolite told ESPN.com. “Everybody in the country will be watching. It’s the only game on. If you make big plays, you’re going to be getting text messages from your friends around the country for the next few days. I’m excited about it.”
But at what cost does the increase in the limelight come with in the classroom.
“The football coach in me also says things that get you out of your routine and things that take you away from the classroom, that’s not the norm in football,” Prince said.
While a hit may be dealt to academics, others frown on midweek simply because of tradition.
“In my opinion, college football is made for Saturdays, and that’s the way we like to do it,” said Kansas head coach Mark Mangino, whose Jayhawks lost a last-minute thriller against South Florida. “We’re comfortable with the routine, our players are comfortable with it, it’s been good to us, and we’d like to stay with that.”
Big 12 midweek games raise questions
Published: Monday, September 22, 2008
Updated: Monday, September 22, 2008
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