Jerry Stackhouse: From the court to the classroom

Hi Ryan,
I'm writing in response to your morning interview with the outstanding NBA players who worked so hard to earn their college degree while pursuing their professional careers on the court.

I wanted to bring to your attention that the men's players from Cansiius College (Div. 1 program) in Buffalo, NY have done the same thing! Our starting 5 seniors this year have ALL earned their undergraduate degrees in 3 years and are currently enrolled in the Master's program at the college. Of the 5 currently working on their Master's degrees 3 will complete this degree this spring!

According to our Sports Information person this has never been done by any Div. 1 team in our country – EVER! A few media outlets have picked up the story and it is to be featured in the program at the final four this year.

It is truly a story to be celebrated especially when typically men's basketball and football players never earn a degree after their four years of study.
Thanks,
Dina

It is truly great to see [HLN] during stories about young, black successful male athletes who got there degrees. It is unfortunate this is the exception and not the norm. Too many of these athletes wind up broke after their careers are older. There has got to be a way to reach these guys and get it in their heads that a degree is so important to their existence and ability to succeed as productive members of society. I even would like to see the NBA or NFL, actually withhold a million dollars, or some percentage of their contracts over the years that isn't paid out until they retire or quit the leagues. This amount would not be able to be borrowed against either. -David