Re: “The Big Ten . . . ,” (July 2).
Do sportswriters ever stop to think about the moral consequences of the mega dollars being spent on college athletics?
In February 2021, NJ.com ran a story headlined “Rutgers president: Athletics ‘highly unlikely’ to ever break even financially.” President Jonathan Holloway said: “For too long the entire Rutgers community has been laboring under the illusion that athletics will generate enough revenue to pay for itself and, then, in time turn a profit…”
The response? So what.
Despite extensive expenditures for facilities and coaching staff, Rutgers ranks close to the bottom in Big Ten spending. As witnessed at Rutgers, in contract negotiations, head coaches not only demand higher salaries but also luxurious facilities.
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Can anyone reading this letter think of a better way to spend the $100 million that the governor set aside than on athletic facilities? Property tax relief? Rainy day fund? Child health care?
Even the name, image and likeness (NIL) reform that permits income for players has spawned alumni booster “cooperatives” threatening to become the Citizens United decision for college sports — more money, more corruption.
While smaller or ethical institutions will be squeezed into obscurity — no St. Peter’s in the Sweet Sixteen — count on sportswriters looking the other way or rationalizing the demand for more money.
Thomas P. Ryan, Lawrence Township
Murphy should lay off concealed carry limits
Now that Gov. Phil Murphy has put more restrictions on law-abiding gun owners, he is promising to take it even a step further, calling for legislation that would prohibit firearms to be carried in so-called “sensitive locations.”
These locations would include bars, hospitals, arenas, courthouses and federal buildings, just to name a few. Does Murphy really expect a mass shooter or other armed criminal to acknowledge such a law?
New Jersey just lost a court case in which its existing concealed-carry restrictions were found to have violated the federal Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act, which was signed in 2004. This allows sworn law enforcement officers and qualified retired officers to carry concealed weapons in all 50 states. This should override any state law. This law was enacted so that these officers who qualify with their weapons annually can protect themselves and others should the situation arise.
Is the governor again trying to tell these trained and retired officers they will not be allowed to carry their concealed weapons into any of these sensitive places? This would leave everyone in these places sitting ducks for a potential gun crime. Trained and qualified people would be helpless to use their own guns to stop an armed criminal and possibly save lives.
Will Murphy then stand behind his podium offering thoughts and prayers saying we have to enact more gun legislation?
Vincent Piano, Piscataway
Originalists and their ridiculous logic
The originalists vociferously insist that unless it is explicitly written in the Constitution, it is not permitted. Thomas Jefferson was among the first originalists yet, when presented with the opportunity to make the Louisiana Purchase, he did not hesitate to do so.
There is not a word in the Constitution permitting the purchase of territory. So, according to the originalists’ logic, that purchase was constitutionally impermissible. Are we now to ask France for our money back in exchange for that territory? Likewise, shall we give Alaska back to Russia and get a refund?
Here are more ridiculous results that their logic calls for: The Constitution provides for an Army and a Navy and makes no mention of an Air Force or a Space Force. Shall we disband them?
It has been said that the Constitution is not a suicide pact. Yet, that is what would result if the originalists had their way in all things. The Constitution, if the nation and its people are to survive in this ever-changing and dangerous world, must be read broadly to permit implied powers.
Franklin D. Roosevelt would never have gotten us out of the Great Depression, nor would he have been able to mobilize our industrial might, resources and people to defeat the fascists and Japanese militarists in World War II had the originalists been in charge.
Joseph A. Leist, Hamilton
Expanded Big Ten bad for college sports
I take issue with all the excitement over USC’s entry into The Big Ten athletic conference, especially with those who believe this is such a huge moment for Rutgers, which is already in the Big Ten.
Having only two “super conferences,” the Big Ten and the SEC (Southeastern Conference), in major sports is really a step backwards. Why is it advantageous to give such deference to a landscape that ignores the hundreds of other colleges and universities that play NCAA sports?
Will it become mandatory to attend a school in one of these two super conferences in order to play professional sports? Will their players now be viewed as superior to all others?
Those supporting this new concept are also thrilled by the additional revenue. Money is now the driving force in college sports. Sports should never be measured by anything other than talent and final scores.
If this was not so, basketball great Stephen Curry would not be playing for the Golden State Warriors. Remember? He played his college ball at Davidson College in North Carolina, then a member of the Southern Conference and now in the A-10.
Donald Rinaldi, Belleville
Carli Lloyd passed over for this medal
Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team just received the Presidential Medal of Freedom? I understand that she has been outspoken on a number of important issues and is a terrific soccer player.
But, what about New Jersey’s own Carli Lloyd?
Lloyd has been an Olympic gold medalist on two occasions. She is a two-time FIFA player of the year, a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and a four-time Olympian. This “Jersey Girl” deserves such an honor. I won’t even dwell on the 2021 bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics, where all of the U.S. team knelt during the National Anthem, except for — you guessed it —Carli Lloyd.
Larry Monaco, Caldwell
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