Yesterday I posted some thoughts on circumventing the proposed new NCAA rule limiting the location for spring practice. Simply analysis of the provision and possible loopholes.
Today, I am going to think bigger, not just as a lawyer, in terms of what Jim Harbaugh may have up his sleeve. First, a caveat. I have no insider information. My thoughts have primarily been formulated by reading the tea leaves in messages posted by supposed insiders and using my imagination. So here goes.
Think big, think global.
I do not think that the announcement will be merely announcing an arrangement with an NFL team (eg Miami Dolphins) to use their facilities and/or designate them as part of the Michigan campus. I also don't think the announcement will be using a facility similar to IMG Academy. I think that both these scenarios could work for a year or two but would eventually be legislated away by the NCAA.
I think that what Michigan wants to put into place would meet the following parameters:
1) Leverage off Michigan's status as a global university with a global reach.
2) Leverage off the fact that the Michigan football program is a cash cow, as are several other major programs. Some of those other major programs illicitly pay kids to play. Michigan is not going there. So what can Michigan do with their cash in order to make it a recruiting advantage?
3) It would need to be a long-term solution that would be "NCAA-rules proof". Something that the NCAA could not legislate away.
Considering the above points, I think that Michigan is about to put into a place a unique opportunity for their student-athletes (not just football players) to be exposed to the world for a week to a semester. It could be a training facility located in one specific attractive location (say the south of France, Barcelona, Tuscany, Bali) or it could be a location that rotates on a yearly basis to give the students the opportunity to be exposed to different cultures (e.g. one year in Europe, one year in Asia, etc....).
From a pure sports practice perspective, probably one specific location makes sense if for more than a week or two as the players would need to have access to weight room facilities, etc. If for just a week or two the location could be rotated.
Michigan offers numerous foreign study programs for their students. This would simply be an additional one specially-tailored towards student-athletes. Some of the parameters that I envision:
1) Time: Most likely one to two weeks. I doubt they can take the entire team away for more than that as they have different majors and the semester abroad concept would not work for all of them in one location given the diversity.
2) Location: Obviously a location that is attractive to the student-athlete in spring (think more Mediterranean than Moscow). Also, a location where there could be valuable learning experiences (culture-rich Italy) or where the trip could be aligned with charitable work (e.g. what about Peru?). Also, there would need to be the necessary infrastructure to practice, so rule out trips to exotic locations like the Kalahari.
3) Not for football players only: I would not be surprised to see it be a program where other Michigan student-athletes could also participate. If a single Michigan facility, usage could be rotated for different "off-season" periods of the year. By making the program more broad-based and part of the holistic Michigan educational concept it would be tougher for the NCAA to shoot it down.
4) Award academic credits: The focus on the trip needs to be academic and credits should be awarded. This will be an academic program for student-athletes where they will ALSO have the possibility to train. By being ingrained as an academic program the NCAA would have egg all over their face if they tried to overturn it.
5) Include a charitable/humanitarian/public service element: Builds character and improves the world. Also the NCAA would look bad if they stopped a program to help build homes in Peru or assist the Catholic Church in Italy with, say, the homeless.
Remember, Jim Harbaugh ticks differently than other coaches. He thinks outside of the box, has a tradition of charitable work (e.g. Peru), is a globalist, and embraces diversity (even in his own family). He is a dreamer. The University of Michigan is a unique public university with the size, flexibility, deep pockets, and global reach to empower his dreams.
Looking forward to this week-end.
Today, I am going to think bigger, not just as a lawyer, in terms of what Jim Harbaugh may have up his sleeve. First, a caveat. I have no insider information. My thoughts have primarily been formulated by reading the tea leaves in messages posted by supposed insiders and using my imagination. So here goes.
Think big, think global.
I do not think that the announcement will be merely announcing an arrangement with an NFL team (eg Miami Dolphins) to use their facilities and/or designate them as part of the Michigan campus. I also don't think the announcement will be using a facility similar to IMG Academy. I think that both these scenarios could work for a year or two but would eventually be legislated away by the NCAA.
I think that what Michigan wants to put into place would meet the following parameters:
1) Leverage off Michigan's status as a global university with a global reach.
2) Leverage off the fact that the Michigan football program is a cash cow, as are several other major programs. Some of those other major programs illicitly pay kids to play. Michigan is not going there. So what can Michigan do with their cash in order to make it a recruiting advantage?
3) It would need to be a long-term solution that would be "NCAA-rules proof". Something that the NCAA could not legislate away.
Considering the above points, I think that Michigan is about to put into a place a unique opportunity for their student-athletes (not just football players) to be exposed to the world for a week to a semester. It could be a training facility located in one specific attractive location (say the south of France, Barcelona, Tuscany, Bali) or it could be a location that rotates on a yearly basis to give the students the opportunity to be exposed to different cultures (e.g. one year in Europe, one year in Asia, etc....).
From a pure sports practice perspective, probably one specific location makes sense if for more than a week or two as the players would need to have access to weight room facilities, etc. If for just a week or two the location could be rotated.
Michigan offers numerous foreign study programs for their students. This would simply be an additional one specially-tailored towards student-athletes. Some of the parameters that I envision:
1) Time: Most likely one to two weeks. I doubt they can take the entire team away for more than that as they have different majors and the semester abroad concept would not work for all of them in one location given the diversity.
2) Location: Obviously a location that is attractive to the student-athlete in spring (think more Mediterranean than Moscow). Also, a location where there could be valuable learning experiences (culture-rich Italy) or where the trip could be aligned with charitable work (e.g. what about Peru?). Also, there would need to be the necessary infrastructure to practice, so rule out trips to exotic locations like the Kalahari.
3) Not for football players only: I would not be surprised to see it be a program where other Michigan student-athletes could also participate. If a single Michigan facility, usage could be rotated for different "off-season" periods of the year. By making the program more broad-based and part of the holistic Michigan educational concept it would be tougher for the NCAA to shoot it down.
4) Award academic credits: The focus on the trip needs to be academic and credits should be awarded. This will be an academic program for student-athletes where they will ALSO have the possibility to train. By being ingrained as an academic program the NCAA would have egg all over their face if they tried to overturn it.
5) Include a charitable/humanitarian/public service element: Builds character and improves the world. Also the NCAA would look bad if they stopped a program to help build homes in Peru or assist the Catholic Church in Italy with, say, the homeless.
Remember, Jim Harbaugh ticks differently than other coaches. He thinks outside of the box, has a tradition of charitable work (e.g. Peru), is a globalist, and embraces diversity (even in his own family). He is a dreamer. The University of Michigan is a unique public university with the size, flexibility, deep pockets, and global reach to empower his dreams.
Looking forward to this week-end.
