Spot on with the concept of limiting the influence of money in kid's sports.  The same should apply at the collegiate level as well.  Just because the kids at "Big Public U" have carbon fiber wheels shouldn't mean that "College Tech" can't compete.  I saw this principle put to good practice a couple of years ago in road cycling, when the Southeast Cycling Conference implemented mild "Eddy Merckx" (old technology) rules to help smaller teams compete in the important time trial portion of race weekends.  Now, if Big Public wins, it has the honor of knowing it wasn't because the smaller school has less money.   

Those of us who are old enough to remember the glory days of the Olympics, when fewer professional athletes were involved, know how important the concept is of keeping money out of amateur and children's sports.  Hopefully some day we will have the same problem as football and basketball--whether or not to pay our college players a salary to keep them off the take.  For now, let's begin that tradition by implementing your ideas for "spec bikes" and other restrictions on spending.

Keep the Rubber Side Down,

James Thompson

Team Alum, University of Florida Cycling

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++