Money talks, even at the high school level. In the state of California, though, it may be a surprise to some folks, the official prep sports rulebook’s list of do’s and don’ts does not forbid a young athlete from being paid for his or her athletic services.
As Serra High School head football coach Patrick Walsh, now in his 24th year at the helm of the Catholic school’s program, put it at a San Mateo Rotary Club gathering earlier this summer, a student-athlete can be compensated but not by the school itself. That’s still a no-no. It can be a fine line, though.
Two years ago, a standout football player at Menlo-Atherton High School reportedly was paid by an outside entity, presumably to take advantage of the young man’s future college prospects, professional potential and possible endorsement opportunities as the years unfold.
The gifted teen, who transferred to Menlo-Atherton from a San Jose private school prior to his senior year, then wound up at the University of Oregon.
Also in the state of Oregon, a female prep track and field star from that state signed a name/image/likeness endorsement deal with Nike, the Oregon-based sporting gear giant, a year ago. She was the first such teen to do so.
It is now also OK to pay college athletes. At that level, it’s an entirely new ballgame with athletes and their fiscal angels calling the shots now. In the end, it’s all about the cheddar, at least for teens who are considered prime-time prospects. Long live the big bucks.
Are elementary school kids next in line for paychecks? Will they need agents? How about preschool Pampers phenoms? Heaven help us.
The landscape is changing. It’s not entirely pretty.
Individual teen athletes at the prep level aren’t the only entities benefiting from significant outside dollars to bolster the bottom line. So are some high schools.
Serra, for example, recently announced on its website that its athletic program, with football as the showcase sport, is now being supported by Nike.
As a result of this sponsorship largesse, the San Mateo school’s athletic program will benefit in a variety of ways with the Nike logo presumably front and center.
NOT QUITE SO FREE ANYMORE: It’s barely a footnote in Bay Area roadway history. Work on the Bayshore Highway, the precursor of the future Highway 101, began a century ago today on Sept. 11, 1924.
Construction on what would become a direct San Francisco-to-San Jose route close to the waters of the Bay commenced in South San Francisco on that date. It would be built in sections over 13 years.
The new road would prove to be inadequate and dangerous in fairly short order. It lacked a protective median barrier, among other important deficits. Accidents became routine. There were serious concerns early on.
A true freeway that avoided surface streets entirely was envisioned, then planned. In the late 1940s, work began in earnest. By 1962, it was finished. Sort of. It has been considerably upgraded and widened since. Even the route itself has been altered somewhat.
Those improvements now include sections that require payment. So much for the “free” in freeway.
A TOURNAMENT OF DINGHIES: Get ready for it. Weigh anchor. Hoist the mainsail. Tack to port. Landlubbers beware. The Sierra Point Yacht Club will conduct its 2024 regatta Sept. 21 at the Brisbane Marina from noon to 5 p.m. A featured event will be a rousing Tournament of Dinghies. What’s not to like? The competition among the small craft figures to be intense, if not downright stirring, on the Bayside waters. Grog for everyone (21 and over). Or not.
KEVIN KELLY WILL BE MISSED: In an age of distrust and disharmony, Kevin Kelly was a welcome relief. The former mayor of San Carlos made a career, both in the local political realm and in the legal profession, trying to be a conciliator and calming influence (with a dash of humor as well). A lawyer and mediator, he made a positive mark on his community. He passed away late last month at the age of 77. He will be missed.
(1) comment
The problem with 101 is not that one lane is a paid lane now, the problem is who is paying for upkeep of the other 4-5 lanes?
Throughout history major streets like these were never "free" - and they never should. They are expensive to build, the little gas tax we pay pays only a fraction of the cost and maintenance, and politicians constantly dip into public transportation funds to pay for this.
Our high schools are subsidizing the recruitment system of a billion dollar sports league and a even bigger sports betting system.
Sport should be decoupled from that and moved to city or team level. MLB has their own minor league system, the NFL is using universities and high schools to get their players on the cheap.
The idea of the "student athlete" has always been a false narrative. The most a school should be doing is some stretching in the morning and some basic PE after recess.
Cities claim they can hardly afford a public pool anymore, but every high school has a hardly used pool, huge athletic fields.
And the Community College system has the best pools and "Wellness Centers" money can buy - all born out of corruption of course.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.