Here is my take:

 

There is nothing wrong with a mandatory Dead period (or an extended one for NKY Catholic) schools. It establishes a time families (both player and Coaches) can take whatever kind of vacation they see fit. It makes it easier than the school having to address missing players on certain dates once practice starts. It does not put any school at a disadvantage. It does not put any players at a disadvantage.

 

I think the variety of comments show the disparity of the programs. Dead period is a good thing.

Not that it matters but college football teams have begun to report for 'optional' practice, lifting and conditioning. Most of it organized by coaches but ran by players.

Not that it matters but college football teams have begun to report for 'optional' practice, lifting and conditioning. Most of it organized by coaches but ran by players.

 

College players are compensated (or most of them are anyway) for their time.

Break down the real time a college athlete is expected to participate in a function (meeting, conditioning, practice, study table, etc) and you'll find that they aren't getting the level of 'compensation' you may think they are.

Break down the real time a college athlete is expected to participate in a function (meeting, conditioning, practice, study table, etc) and you'll find that they aren't getting the level of 'compensation' you may think they are.

 

But they are compensated none the less. I got my degree while taking advantage of an athletic based scholarship. I know full well the amount of time you're expected to "give" for the scholly. I figure my per hour pay was about $0.05. but I graduated with absolutely no student debt. Trust me, that's compensation.