http://www.dailypress.com/sports/william-and-mary/dp-spt-teel-column-fun...
Such gifts are not as common as you might think, from wealthy professional athletes such as Zimmerman and Bazemore, or flush business types such as Johnson and Kaplan. How people spend and donate their money is their prerogative, but it does seem unusual that more former athletes don't give back.
"We talk about that a lot at various meetings," Tech athletic director Whit Babcock said. "How do people get their former student-athletes involved? I will say this, we have very good involvement at Virginia Tech, but it can certainly be better."
That load would be lightened if more former athletes led by example.
"One thing that I've found (is), if you don't develop a relationship with these young people, or maybe educate them about the Hokie Club or giving back or the value of their scholarship while they're here, you've missed an opportunity," Babcock said. "If you have a wonderful athlete that turns pro and the first time they hear from you is after they sign a $40 million contract, I don't think that's great, and there are already people coming at them for money.
"So the Hokie Club has worked on it, the Monogram Club has worked on it, (and) we're making great strides. Steve's gift was huge, but I feel like we need to do an even better job of educating our young people here now: 'When you get out, and you want this thing to keep rolling, we need your help.'"
This has been an ongoing issue for most schools. Hopefully some future Hokies give back.
Comments
I've noticed VT making efforts in this area over the past few years.
I've seen a lot of contact with alumni, and not just begging for money. I like when you see guys like Bruce Smith or Mike Vick on campus or at games. I'm glad to see that Whit is being proactive in establishing stronger relationships with previous players - it seems to me he takes this pretty seriously.
I agree, I love when you see Mike Vick and some of the other greats at the games.
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Vick is a really special case. He's loved by the overwhelming majority of VT fans and hated by nearly all other fans I've talked to. When we played tOSU at home, I was in their fan section and they went apeshit when we had something honoring him. They were calling him murderer, said he deserved to die, and a ton of worse stuff.
I know what Vick did was wrong but I think it speaks volumes that VT will always be a home for him and welcome him back. Athletes knowing that this really is home and they are always Hokies can go a long way in this push.
Agree 100%, the fact that our fanbase has for the most part welcomed him back with open arms speaks volumes to the kind of support that we offer even after they move on.
I wonder how the OSU fans feel about Clarett?
I would think it's mostly supportive, but they are way different situations. Vick put us on the map and took us to heights we have never been to, before or since. OSU had Heisman winners, even the only multiple winner, and has national championships. That being said, unless OSU is the exception, most schools are quick to forgive their own.
I think it depends on the generation actually. A lot of college age football fans love Vick. He was a god on the early Madden games and video games were a big part of that generation's childhood. Vick was the coolest football player. The people who were kids or teenagers during his criminal years still think of him as a cool muthafucker.
I think a lot of this has to do with poor money management. It's hard to make large donations back to your school when you live like a celebrity through your playing years and aren't living large in retirement. You can make a signing bonus alone go a long way if you are smart with your money, but a lot of these guys (and people in general) have not received any kind of solid financial advice throughout their lives. It was amazing to me that even in high school they don't even attempt to teach you anything about saving money, budgeting, etc.
Also, the athletes who do give back, are usually the ones who formed successful careers after their playing days were over. Peyton Manning owns all the Papa Johns in a state where marijuana is legal, our own Steve Johnson owns a successful commercial real estate development firm, etc. These are the types of guys that are able to turn around and give back significantly to their schools.