Two NCAAs

I don't like getting riled up over something on a blog, and I don't like criticizing other sportswriters. But Mike Farrell of The Sporting News got under my skin with his column about why the NCAA's text messaging ban should be repealed, so pardon me if I break my own rules.

"The ban on text messaging was suggested by the Ivy Group, citing the invasive nature of sending messages to recruits on an unlimited basis," he wrote. "How could kids study if their phones were constantly buzzing or chirping with text messages? Listening to the Ivy League schools on a matter like this is like turning the NFL into a two-hand touch league because little Jimmy got hurt playing Nerf football in the front yard."

Farrell is entitled to his opinion on texting, although I think he's wrong. There are certainly good arguments to be made on both sides.

What he's not entitled to do is insult the Ivy League's intelligence because its athletes come to school for more than playing time and don't get paid along the way.

Let's see the argument through. The Ivies are among the best lacrosse conferences in the country. The Metro Atlantic doesn't compare. According to Farrell, that means any lacrosse rule changes the MAAC suggests ought to be disregarded.

John Edwards talks about two Americas; I think it would be terrible if we had two NCAAs -- those who are listened to and those who are purposefully ignored.