Mike Machi stated in his (column) of January 17 on Proposal 42 that he has "problems with the NCAA's and Penn State's thinking" on Proposal 42 and that he agrees that athletes should be academically accountable but "taking away the means of going to a University is wrong. Penn State doesn't think so." And neither do those who believe that people go to a University to receive an academically-based education. Perhaps it is naive to think that the main purpose of an individual (athlete or non-athlete) to attend a University is to receive an education.

Is requiring a 2.0 average in high school and at least 700 on the SAT scores (they give you 400 for completing your name) before being eligible for an athletic scholarship an injustice to the individual? Or is placing the major emphasis on physical performances of the student-athlete and his / her potential for enhancing the institution athletically and perhaps financially the real injustice?

It is naive to think that a student who could not even maintain a 2.0 average in high school is suddenly going to become academically inclined to maintain a 2.0 average in college, particularly with the time demands of college athletics.

Coach Brown who "told CBS Television that those who voted in favor of Proposal No. 42 'should be ashamed of themselves.' " Who should be ashamed are those who value the need for university prestige over the needs of the individual student-athlete. What happens to that very small percentage who may actually "make it" to the pros, but who can't even read and understand their contracts? Temple Coach Chaney asked "Where should his ambition stop? In the streets with drugs?" And just where does Chaney think that athletes for whom an academic education (on an average level) was never emphasized are going to end up? Particularly if they never make it to the pros, or if they do get to the pros but then suffer career-ending injuries. Has their University education provided them with a means to find employment beyond their athletic talents? Is learning such a high price to pay for an athletic ambition?

The minimum requirements for freshmen provided in the NCAA's Proposal 42 will require the athlete to focus on his / her education while still in high school. Universities should strive to provide a well-rounded education to student athletes through academics as well as athletics. Without such standards the only thing well-rounded will be the ball in his / her hands.