Few people realize how hard intercollegiate athletes work, especially those who compete in bigger sports such as football, basketball and wrestling. When you're an athlete at a major university, your time is not your own. There are classes to go to, practices to attend, weight training and film sessions that can't be skipped, papers to write and exams to study for. It's like working a full-time job, plus overtime, and not getting paid. Instead, coaches and administrators build their careers on the backs of student-athletes.
Athletic departments rake in millions of dollars on the backs of student-athletes.
Fans and alumni build pride on the backs of student-athletes. While most athletes are rewarded with a scholarship and college education for their efforts, let's not forget that they are human beings. The university can't ignore their well being, even if it risks harming the image of the Happy Valley utopia. But it seems as if that's exactly what's going to happen. One of the former players who spoke out, Matt Gaudio, has been contacted by the university and told not to discuss the Dunn situation further.