University of Louisiana - Lafayette coach 'encourages' players to donate to the school's athletic fund. The fund pays him most of his salary
https://www.si.com/college-football/2019/08/16/louisiana-billy-napier-pl...
As detailed in a story by Kevin Foote of The Advocate, UL head football coach Billy Napier recently announced a new rule for his players: they are "encouraged" to become investors in the Ragin' Cajun Athletic Foundation. They can do so by contributing at least $50.
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I guess this is supposed to be negative spin, but schools also encourage regular students to donate, so is this really all that different?
Yeah, I think so. It's basically their boss telling them to do it. This part of the article sums it up well:
Ironic how they're vulnerable teenagers in this context, but they're adults when they're choosing a college athletic program, entering a transfer portal, or signing a professional contract.
But yeah, the coach shouldn't be going down this road. Not like it's going to make any difference.
Some mid-career adults at one of my client companies were 'encouraged' to help their boss stain his deck. The implication was clear.
To add my own personal experience, when I was in the Army, we were 'encouraged' to donate to the combined federal campaign, told it was strictly voluntary but still very important and the CO wanted 100% participation. Those of us who said 'no' were taken outside and forced to exercise until we said 'yes'.
Eeesh.
Seems like that would break some kind of corporate policy.
Edit: My wife was in the Air Force, so we also have donated to optional required activities like Combined Federal Campaign and the on base military club. Sort of a cost of doing business, or at least it used to be.
It did and that person was fired, but only after he gave negative reviews to those who refused. The negative reviews stayed in place even though he was canned.
Just like voluntary team prayer or anything else religious done with the team. It's stupid we have a team Chaplain but not other religious ones.
The coach also made it worse because at the weekly presser he used the word "requirement"
I noticed the article said "rule".
That seems a bit heavy-handed.
So, it's basically the UNC legal defense: It's done to regular students too so it's okay.
Exactly. No matter what comparison this is in poor taste. A former student doesn't have something to lose by saying no. A former student most likely has a real job - no zero money as a student on scholarship just trying to get started in the world. This encourages players families with resources to "support" the fund and exploit that. Etc. etc. etc.
This is over-simplified manipulation 101. Just because you can doesn't mean you should and anyone who has had someone - aka a boss - abuse that power understands this concept.
This school should be ashamed and I can say if it was my kid being recruited this would be a complete deal-breaker in me trusting a coach. He actually believes this is ok and that tells you everything you need to know.
Pretty much basic ethics here...you don't put that kind of expectation on your subordinates. The " technically not required" loophole doesn't apply when it's the boss saying it. It carries far more weight than a random person from the athletic department soliciting donations.
Better to tell the people not paying to be there than encourage the people who are going into $50k of debt.
I think it's stupid either way though.
Exactly.
$50 a year? While it's wrong and the coach deserves a bit of criticism, it's the least of anyone's problems. Tuition and other costs are outrageous, and have little to do with educating anyone.
This is ridiculous. Employees need to do the job they are paid to do. In this case, play football and go to school. I don't expect any of my employees to do more than I pay them to do. I expect them to do it well, but that is all. Asking for them to donate to a charity I support or to assist non work related activities is unacceptable, even more so with the notion that failure to do so will reflect poorly on their stance in our workplace environment.
The NCAA would like to remind you that student athletes are not employees.
With that said, this is stupid and unethical. I hope everyone involved with this dumb idea is fired. I have no problem with a "hokie club for students". I have no problems with every student getting an email, or letter to remind them to sign up, however at no point should anyone at the university directly ask (or tell) current or former student athletes to donate. Theses guys and girls spend countless hours working their butts off for the university and many will never go pro in their sport. It's just a terrible look for UL.