Blumenthal & Larson: Time to Fix Regulation of College Sports

(HARTFORD) – Declaring that the system for regulating collegiate athletics appears to be broken, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Congressman John Larson (CT-01) released the following joint statement today:

“Athletic achievement provides a unique avenue for youth to pursue the better life that comes from a quality education, and for so many young adults is a pathway out of poverty. In exchange for an athletic scholarship, our collegiate athletes risk their health and often sacrifice their privacy in pursuit of an education. Unfortunately, too many of these students are finding that the Division I athletic scholarship brings with it more than they’ve bargained for. To fulfill its mission of enforcing academic and competitive standards, the NCAA has developed a system of enforcement that often appears arbitrary and unfair. 

“The NCAA’s ruling against the University of Connecticut yesterday and other recent examples of arbitrary rulings against students and universities across the country has convinced us that the current system for regulating collegiate athletics is broken.  

“We believe these issues demand Congressional attention because the questions regarding fairness for student-athletes have gone on too long – and the reforms that have been made are not yet sufficient. Over the coming days we will be working together and with our colleagues to shine a light on the way the NCAA enforces its rules and review all possible courses of action to compel reform with the goal of ensuring the welfare of student athletes.”

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