Diddy

[Deleted]

Would anyone feel differently if this scholarship was for academics instead? It's merit based so I say good for him. Actually as an athlete he'll end up making money for the school so it's doubly earned IMO. Sure it would be nice if he used his dad's money instead but I think his parent's net worth shouldn't be a factor in determining a merit based scholarship of any sort. Need based? Clearly. But not merit based. Having said that I understand why folks that are familiar with the financial struggles of the CA system are frustrated by it.

[tanyak]

I don't know if this helps or not, but they were saying on ESPN that most of the money for these scholarships come from boosters, ticket sales, etc., and not tax payer money. I just heard a quick snippet.

[Witchie]

tanyak, that is true. There are separate entities that fund different scholarships. The NCAA limits the number of scholarships that can be given, so only the elite athletes are getting athletic scholarships.

At my alma mater, football season tickets fund the athletic department & my Alumni Association dues go into the general student fund.

[satellite]

To be honest, I have issues with academic merit scholarships also. I got offered a couple unsolicited, and when I looked at those schools average SAT scores, I was like er... not so much. Sports seems a bit different.

[WestEndGirl]

Master P's son, Lil Romeo, got a basketball scholarship to USC a few years ago. It wasn't as publicized and I don't remember any backlash. I only remember the story because there was more 'scandal' involved - Lil' Romeo's best friend was a top recruit (Demar DeRozan). DeRozan was a top recruit; Lil' Romeo was not, to put it mildly. But (allegedly) DeRozan wouldn't go to USC unless his friend could go too.

[jmc]

Master P's son, Lil Romeo, got a basketball scholarship to USC a few years ago. It wasn't as publicized and I don't remember any backlash. I only remember the story because there was more 'scandal' involved - Lil' Romeo's best friend was a top recruit (Demar DeRozan). DeRozan was a top recruit; Lil' Romeo was not, to put it mildly.

There probably wouldn't be much fuss over this if Justin wasn't on tv a couple of years ago getting a $350,000 car for his birthday. If Romeo's untalented ass didn't get called out like this, I don't see why Justin, who seems to be legitimately smart and talented, should.

[Mutagen]

I understand some of the general resentment, given the current landscape of student loans and college costs being out of control, but it's stupid to focus it on this one kid. Especially given that, as it was pointed out, he's hardly the first or only person in this position.

[esoterica]

Resurrecting to say how bad he looks. Also, if you read the comments, he's done terrible things I'd never heard of. Yuck!