Mississippi State Univ. athletes beginning next school year "will have to complete a specially designed version" of radio host Dave Ramsey’s collegiate course to receive their cost-of-attendance stipend, according to Andy Staples of SI.com. The program "will focus strictly on the money," with the religious element having been "stripped out" for the part that MSU will use. MSU AD Scott Stricklin said, "We’re not going to tell them how to spend their money, but we’re going to give them some basic foundations and building blocks." He added that MSU Senior Associate AD/Compliance Dir Bracky Brett has "studied the new NCAA rule regarding cost-of-attendance stipends to ensure the Bulldogs are allowed to require the course as a condition of receiving the money." Basically, the rule says, "You can do this if you want." That means Mississippi State "could also apply a condition." Stricklin and his coaches "would still offer the courses even if they weren't allowed to require them, because they believe they could help." Meanwhile, the Univ. of Arkansas "is also using a modified version of Ramsey’s curriculum," and Ohio State football players "receive financial, job-skill and job-hunting advice through the Real Life Wednesdays program" that coach Urban Meyer started at Florida. Staples: "Some coaches and athletic directors are planning for the coming new age in major college athletics instead of just complaining about it" (SI.com, 6/15).
