By Ken Robinson

Managing Editor

A reader and occasional letter writer to the paper sent the following question the other day:

Q.  Is there anything on the planet more boring and over hyped than college football????

I don’t know why he added he extra question marks but I have been thinking about this too since I heard the NCAA decided it was a good idea for college athletes to get paid for playing. Fundamentally, they should be allowed to have sponsors, like Tiger Woods does in golf.

They would get money and be asked to wear logo clothing, possibly appear in advertising and be celebrated for their prowess.

This is wrong. These college athletes are, many of them, recruited for their ability, going to school on a scholarship (meaning their parents don’t have to foot the bill) and are attending publicly supported universities.

It is bad enough that the coach of the Huskies makes five times the money of a state governor.

Once this idea takes hold, where will it stop? Kids in grade school getting managers to play on the elementary flag football team, and dealing through their managers with their study schedule?

Gimme a break. Don’t let commercial interests invade the college athletic arena. One of the best things about watching college players like the Huskies (I am UW grad and Husky fan) is that you know they are playing for the joy of the game and not because corporate America is underwriting their performance.

Leave the kids alone.