U.S. SUPREME COURT - Students vs NCAA

"How the latest Supreme Court ruling could impact the student athlete compensation battle" PBS NewsHour 6/21/2021

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SUMMARY:  The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday delivered a blow to the NCAA as the justices sided with former college athletes in a dispute over compensation.  While the unanimous ruling was limited to education-related benefits, like postgraduate scholarships and paying for computers or tutoring, it could add to the momentum for greater compensation for college athletes.  John Yang explores.

NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL - Notre Dame at the Buzzer

"How Notre Dame women’s basketball won the NCAA championship in the final 3 seconds" PBS NewsHour 4/2/2018

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SUMMARY:  The Notre Dame women's basketball team rallied in its championship game against Mississippi State on Sunday night, winning with a successful shot in the final moments.  It was the second buzzer beater for Arike Ogunbowale in as many games: On Friday night, she helped sink UCONN, the powerhouse of women's basketball.  Yamiche Alcindor talks to Ava Wallace of the Washington Post.

LAST SHOT - Grace University

"Tiny college’s impending closure inspires basketball team to play its heart out" PBS NewsHour 3/8/2018

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SUMMARY:  For every big-money, high-profile college sports program you'll see during March Madness, there's a tiny, low-profile program like Grace University in Omaha, Nebraska.  As they compete in a regional postseason basketball tournament for Christian colleges, they face an uncertain future.  Special correspondent Mike Tobias of PBS Station NET reports.

NCAA - Basketball Scandal

"College basketball bribery scandal could ensnare dozens of universities" PBS NewsHour 9/26/2017

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SUMMARY:  College basketball is embroiled in yet another scandal.  Ten people, including NCAA assistant coaches, an agent and a top executive at Adidas, have been charged with bribery involving thousands of dollars used to influence student athletes.  Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports joins Jeffrey Brown to discuss what these accusations reveal about the “dark underbelly of college basketball.”

NCAA - Baylor Sex Assault Scandal

"Why the NCAA is investigating Baylor's sexual assault scandal" PBS NewsHour 6/27/2017

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SUMMARY:  More than a dozen women have filed lawsuits against Baylor University saying the institution ignored or mishandled claims dating back several years.  The school's Board of Regents has acknowledged that 19 football players were accused of criminal, sexual or physical assault.  John Yang speaks with Paula Lavigne of ESPN about the ongoing NCAA investigation.

SPORTS - Should Student Athletes be Treated Like Pros?

"How should colleges address conflicts between academics, athletics and money?" PBS NewsHour 4/8/2014

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JUDY WOODRUFF (NewsHour):  More than 21 million viewers tuned into last night’s NCAA men’s championship basketball game, a heady moment for the University of Connecticut fans, but also coming at a point when schools are facing new pressures about how they balance competing interests among athletics, academics and money.

Jeff is back with that story.

JEFFREY BROWN (NewsHour):  March Madness spilling over into April, a time when millions enjoy the thrills of college sports.

Last night, confetti filled the air of AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, after the University of Connecticut beat Kentucky for the men’s basketball championship.  Tonight, the UConn women have their turn at a title tonight against Notre Dame, in a first-ever battle of unbeatens.

But amid the on-court excitement, a national debate grows over big-time college sports and the status and role of what are called student athletes.  One potentially ground-shifting decision came last month, when a regional director of the National Labor Relations Board ruled that Northwestern University football players have the right to unionize.

The team’s former quarterback Kain Colter led the push.  He told the Aspen Institute last week that most college athletes, who don’t go pro, need protection.

SPORTS - NCAA Sledgehammer Falls on Pen State

"NCAA Fines and Penalties Will Have Lasting Impact on Penn State Football Program" PBS Newshour 7/23/2012

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SUMMARY: The NCAA imposed a $60 million sanction on Pennsylvania State University for perpetuating a 'football first' culture that failed to stop one ex-coach's sexual abuse of children. Ray Suarez speaks with University of Maryland's Kevin Blackistone and University of Pennsylania's Scott Rosner about the future for Penn State football.