Wyoming Area Gets Best Of Prep 
Warriors Win 8 Of 12 Events 
In Improving Season Mark To 4-1

2 Teens Charged With Arson In School Fire 
Arrest Of Third Teen Expected 
Today In Incident At Dallas School

Wednesday, January 15, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1B 





Big 'ol NCAA takes baby step &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Welcome to the 20th century, NCAA! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; After years of making the lives of college athletes and coaches as
difficult as possible, the National Collegiate Athletic Association has begun
to see the light. Sometimes that's what happens when you remove your head from
your behindBy narrowly approving a measure Monday that will allow Division I
athletes to hold part-time jobs during the school year, the governing body of
college sports has taken a huge step in the right direction. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The fact that it's some 30 years too late is a whole other column. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Now, athletes who help bring in millions of dollars in revenue for their
respective universities and receive nothing in return will be able to earn a
few dollars on the side. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Until now, Division I scholarship athletes -- plenty of whom come from
economically disadvantaged families -- could hold jobs only during the summer
months. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Under the new plan, student-athletes can earn (underline earn ) only the
difference between the value of their scholarship and the full cost of
attendance at their school, which works out to roughly $2,000-3,000 a year, at
best. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Monday's ruling is a good start. But that's all it is. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The NCAA must now take the next bold step and pay athletes their rightful
share of the considerable money pie. A free education simply isn't enough
anymore, not with all its restrictions and constraints on the student-athlete. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Penn State coach Joe Paterno has long been a proponent of paying players a
small monthly stipend. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The typical grant-in-aid covers tuition, room and board and books," he
said. "Many of the kids on our college campuses literally have no spending
money and no way to earn it due to NCAA regulations. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Some of these kids don't have the money to take their girlfriend to a
movie and go for a hamburger. And we can't give it to them." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Meanwhile, big-time universities such as Penn State, Notre Dame, Florida
and the like are raking in millions from ticket sales, television revenue and
the sale of merchandise and souvenirs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "All this money, and the youngsters don't get a thing," Iowa coach Hayden
Fry said. "Pay these kids $20 a month. I think it's just a matter of time
until you see college athletes, particularly football players or basketball
players, unionize just like the pros. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We've got guys who can't go downtown, take their girlfriends to a movie or
go to a fast-food place," Fry explained. "We've got guys ... they'll designate
somebody and say, `You're the barber, you're going to cut our hair.' Because
they can't afford it!" &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Unless the NCAA truly considers the welfare of the student-athlete, more
and more kids are going to be leaving school early. Most of them, truth be
told, before they're even close to being ready for the next level. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "By our own rules we limit the opportunities for them," Fry said. "In
conjunction with that, that opens the doors for agents and other people to do
something illegal and slide the guy money under the table. Maybe (the athlete)
wouldn't need it if we'd give him something." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In another ruling Monday, the NCAA approved a measure letting athletes do
such things as appear in films or write for publication. This is another sign
of progress, considering the organization considered penalizing former
Northwestern running back and film major Darnell Autry for doing graduate work
in Italy last summer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Please keep in mind, the NCAA is a very conservative organization," a
spokesperson told the Associated Press. "We took a major step today. For the
NCAA to make the changes it did today, I think the NCAA also needs to be
applauded." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Someday ... maybe. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jerry Kellar is a Times Leader sports writer. His column appears on
Wednesday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Big 'ol Ncaa Takes Baby Step 
Welcome To The 20th Century, Ncaa! 
After Years Of Making The Lives Of College Athletes And Coaches As Difficult 
As Possible, The National Collegiate Athletic Association Has Begun To See The 
Light. Sometimes That's What Happens When You Remove Your Head From Your 
Behind.