Exploited? If they're good enough for auction they were likely scholarship, some of these guys were handed a college education worth $168K. And now they are complaining? As a taxpayer and someone paying tuition, I say get all you can from these guys. Good for UO.

these guys were handed a college education worth $168K

Even if that's an accurate valuation (the average student doesn't pay full freight, and if they play the game right can get in-state tuition), these guys provide services that are worth far, far more than that. To sell items that have value simply because they were worn by a particular athlete, and have that athlete get nothing out of it, is additional exploitation.

I think I might have posted something similar to Mark’s comment at one time. I have to say I have altered my views over the years regarding what players should be entitled to. They chew these kids up and spit them out without regard for the student or their long term well being. Sure, they are handed a degree, but few get an education. The emphasis is on selling sports and not on classroom achievements. The world can be a dark difficult place with lifelong injuries and nothing much to show for it, save for a worthless degree hanging on the wall. This is exploitation and profit mongering, and the kids are the victims.

Mark Asper, one of the main interviewees for this article and a rather big guy might not appreciate being called a jail duck. Costa is a pretty good person too from what I have read.

If the NCAA rules state that you can only give so much to the players, what else should you do with it? Throw it away? Would that be a good use of funds? I doubt it will amount to a hill of beans though in their budget. I'd be fine with the proceeds going to charity or scholarships for non athletes.

The phrase “jail duck” is a term that has taken hold as a direct result if the University’s failure to hold students accountable. Every year a significant number of college players are arrested, some for very serious crimes. The lack of sanctions or punishment for players who violate the law is almost always in direct proportion to their star power. Oregon and the other top universities continually put their financial interests way ahead of kids who are breaking the law. It then sets a standard for other players that anything goes, and once again exploits them in favor of the almighty buck. Of all the college football players out there, only 2% or so will ever have a chance at the NFL. The rest are left to fend for themselves, some with long term injuries, and others with serious character flaws having been developed in an environment of no holds barred.

Take it up with the NCAA. Usually this stuff gets sold on campus at a yearly sale, after which the people who bought it sell it on EBay.

So give the money to memorabilia wholesalers, or keep it for yourself. Seems like a real easy decision. I'd rather the money go to the players, but the NCAA ain't letting that happen, which is why what the Ducks are doing is common practice througthout the NCAA. This is about as cutting edge as a butter knife.

Btw, the stack of gear UO players leave with is borderline obscene. One pair of the custom retro Jordan 4s the team was given this year would go for $750 easy.

"Every year a significant number of college players are arrested, some for very serious crimes."

I'm in no mood to defend UO on their lack of institutional control, but that sentence above goes for ALL students on ALL college campuses.

I don't feel that following the NCAA rules makes the student athelete "exploited." They agreed to take the scholarship and housing and food for several years in exchange for the chance to play at that level. Knowing they can'g get paid. Of course some of them, after showing their skills get huge pro sports contracts afterward. They don't seem the think they owe the school anything for developing that potential. I reject their self centered view of the world. No one earned it by themselves.

None of the players actually paid for their uniforms, save for guys like Costa who presumably got them from the school after he was done playing.

Therefore, it's the school selling school property. Or rather, the athletic department selling athletic department/Nike property.

With all due respect Roger there is no argument that the physical property belongs to the school. It is about the name and/or brand that is being used for profit without compensation to the actual owner.

And yes Gene, they agreed to the terms going in. They did so as teens with stars in their eyes after promises and complicated contracts were offered forward from business savvy professionals. No exploitation?

Last I heard (it was some time ago), NCAA sports eligible athletes weren't even allowed to get a part-time job, and earn honest money.

So how could they buy their jerseys back, even if they wanted to? Seems like they are locked in a gilded cage, so long as they want eligibility.

Adrian Peterson said the NFL is modern day slavery, 'Sheed said 12 years ago the NBA was run like a plantation system with the owners acting like masters. I can only imagine what those guys think of college players and the system in place.

It's a joke to refer to these guys as "student athletes". Some are, but most are not. Just pay them and don't have them pretend they're college students, turn it into a farm system where it's out in the open. Much of the SEC has essentially been that way for years, why should anyone hide it any more? Especially with the NCAA being as arbitrary as it is with "rules" enforcement and sanctions, colleges should just leave the NCAA and have football clubs. They'd probably make just as much money, if not more by cutting out the middleman organization of the NCAA.

UO could generate some much needed positive PR, and maybe get a legal recruiting edge, by donating sets of one of each game worn uniforms to each high school in Oregon, with the proviso that the recipient school auction the uniforms off, on E Bay or elsewhere, as a fund raiser for that high school's athletic program.

It would be really cool if OSU, PSU, SOSC, OIT, Linnfield, etc and other schools with surplus uniform sets do the same.

Jus' thinkin' out loud.

full uniform sets for one player each year to