Former University of Michigan basketball standout Trey Burke could not be more off base with his comments about how he was ill prepared for life in the National Basketball Association.

Burke, who was a Knight Commission panel member, said that Michigan did not prepare him for NBA life.

Really?

Since when is it the University of Michigan’s job to prepare you for professional sports?

It is their job to educate you and give you the skill you need to survive in the real world. That does not mean prepping you for a job in professional basketball.

I am really getting sick and tired of these whining babies who feel they are entitled to something more than the average person.

You do not hear about students who received degrees from Michigan complaining that they were not prepared to become a doctor or a lawyer.

You know why? Because those are real-world professions and their educations gave them the skills needed to succeed in the real world.

Universities and colleges have a hard enough time just trying to keep up with the changes in society that directly affect how they teach students and how they prepare them for the working world.

They do not have time to waste pampering would-be professional athletes. Those people are only a small percentage of students who attend a school such as Michigan.

Burke said that everyone at Michigan knew he was going to turn pro.

So what?

He said that everyone knew he “checked out” prior to returning for his sophomore season.

You know what, Trey? Michigan should ask you to return the money it spent on you during that season. You basically stole money from the Wolverine Athletic Department.

In the real world, that is called fraud.

He also said he did not like the food. He called it “disgusting” and “jail food.”

Here is a novel idea. Buy your own food and learn how to cook.

Burke also said that he believes that student-athletes should receive compensation beyond tuition, housing and travel per Diems.

You know what, Trey? While I believe that athletes should be giving some sort of compensation because the schools are making millions off their backs, the rules as they stand now do not allow that.

Quit your griping and complaining. You received a hefty scholarship, room and board and clothing.

You know what, Trey?

They also give you some of those same things in jail.

Perhaps you should count your lucky stars you are not eating that “jail food” in one.

 

Scott Novak is sports editor for Leader Publications. He can be reached at scott.novak@leaderpub.com.