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Michael Jordan's Son Awarded Athletic Scholarship
Filed under: Celeb Kids, Opinions
The University of Illinois recently awarded an athletic scholarship to Jeff Jordan, son of the world-famous -- and incredibly wealthy -- basketball star Michael Jordan. The 6-foot-2-inch sophomore turned down two other scholarships to play as a walk-on at the Urbana, Ill. NCAA basketball powerhouse.The announcement regarding Jordan's scholarship comes directly on the heels of a town meeting at the university, where Chancellor Richard Hellman outlined the institution's dire economic future. Hellman has said that the current fiscal crisis gripping the nation is trickling down to the school, and that layoffs and unpaid furloughs may be in the future for university employees.
In addition, the school is taking a long, hard look at just how many professors will be hired next year, which translates into fewer academic options for its students.
I have no issues with athletic scholarships. They reward hard work, focus and talent. They give some students who might otherwise not go to college the chance to obtain a university degree. But awarding a scholarship to the son of perhaps one of the wealthiest athletes in the world, during a serious recession?
I also understand that universities with big-time athletic programs dole out scholarships based on talent alone, and their budgets are generally separate from the academic side of things. But doesn't this sends a message to other students their financial struggles are not as important as filling seats at the school's arena?
I don't blame Jeff Jordan for this; he has achieved something that is an honor. However, considering that the money he's getting is probably equivalent to his dad's poker budget, it is hard to swallow.
What do you think?
| Absoluely, he earned it, his wealth isn't a factor | |
|---|---|
| No way, that's crazy! | |
| It's a tough call to make, he didn't ask for it |
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
1-25-2009 @ 11:46AM
Wyly said...Well you clearly do not understand the athletic scholarship program or how much money a program that has a named athlete draws therefore funding other things. 1. the scholarship, that Jordan got, money from schools such as U of I come out of endowments not out of General Admin budgets. It could not be used to pay for anything other than an athelete and most likely the endowment that funded it takes a lot of pride and was seeking to give it to a named athlete. 2. Athletes are one of the few people that go to the school that actually pay for themselves rather than being a drain on the program next time you should thank these guys for your crappy drama department or the fact that you can invite some anti-American speaker to campus to tell our kids how bad our world is.
So maybe because they gave the scholarship and if the kid turns out to be very good maybe just maybe U of I can afford to keep one or two of those laid off professors.
Reply
1-30-2009 @ 5:30AM
berracah lucky said...great, i love everything.
Reply