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Morgan Burke has taken a beating here at H&R of late, but today he spoke about the changing roles in college athletics and stood up for the student-athletes in his charge:
Purdue AD Morgan Burke in favor of giving athletes' voting power in big decisions. Says voting role creates more accountability.
— ESPN Big Ten (@ESPN_BigTen) May 14, 2014
This was part of a speech where Burke called for more change in college athletics. Among other quotes:
Purdue's Morgan Burke: The general public basically doesn't support the collegiate model anymore. That's concerning.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) May 14, 2014
Burke says if college athletics doesn't look markedly different in 5 years or so, 'then we're in trouble.'
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) May 14, 2014
Morgan Burke again on stipends: "We'd better find the money. We find it for everything else."
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) May 14, 2014
I will say this about Burke: when it comes to finances, he is usually right. I do give him credit for running Purdue's financially independent athletic department in the black when so many run it in the red (even though having a better football team would allow for a lot more black). He sees where things are headed and it likely means major changes soon. Between the Northwestern Union vote, schools shifting conferences, the possibility that a "Big 5" model of the top five college conferences taking over, and the river of money in college athletics something is, indeed, going to have to change. Burke knows that the old ways just don't work anymore:
Morgan Burke again on stipends: "We'd better find the money. We find it for everything else."
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) May 14, 2014
Even though Purdue's top programs are currently in the toilet, we have the lifeline of the Big Ten. Let's face it: as a charter member of the conference, Purdue is not going anywhere. In a lean time such as now the Big Ten affiliation is keeping Purdue athletics afloat, and since the Big Ten is going to be at the forefront of all these changes Purdue is going to be at the front via association.
Will the model of college athletics change? Purdue AD Morgan Burke: "If it doesn't, we're going to be in trouble." Reform is coming.
— Chris Emma (@CEmmaScout) May 14, 2014
It is good to hear this from old Morgan. I hope he and the rest of the administrators make the right decisions for the student-athletes involved, and give said student athletes a voice in a process where they currently have none is a nice start.