Another edition of the Oregon State Mailbag. Readers ask questions or comments about Oregon State athletics, and The Oregonian/OregonLive's Nick Daschel answers them. Sorry I can't answer every question, but I answered a few.
Here it is:
As an avid Beaver fan, I'm curious as to what went wrong with Coach Lueck's approach to departing players. It's not all about NIL$. Apparently, all the talk of loyalty and “my best teammate” was masking a smoldering issue. Any ideas? This has been the worst year for Beaver supporters, and it's getting worse by the day. – Ron S.
I've received dozens of emails about this over the past week. Naturally, I asked Lueck to tell me about the events of the past two weeks. There will be talks at some point, but with at least one more transfer portal move scheduled in addition to planning to rebuild the roster, the issues need to be resolved. Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is definitely a factor. I've heard a number of his OSU-related NIL offers have been made to players since the Elite Eight's run ended. It may have been too little, too late, as clearly the players and their camps (family, friends, etc.) were listening to outsiders. Some made up their minds before the plane even returned from the Elite Eight.
Equally important is the move to the West Coast Conference for the next two seasons. Apparently, some players believe he applied to a Power 5 contest when he enrolled at OSU. WCC is not like that. A strong non-meeting schedule can make up for a lot of that, but apparently that wasn't enough. Lack of exposure and professional basketball opportunities is another factor. (However, as someone pointed out to me, Courtney Vandersloot is in her 14th year in the WNBA, and somehow she was never discovered, even though she was playing for little old Gonzaga.) ). Perhaps there are other factors at play. This is a developing story. Let's play.
I'm a 1970 graduate and was a college football manager in 1968, '69 and 1970, and I'm tired of the dissolution of the PAC 12. I'm very upset about this transfer portal situation after seeing how great the women's team has played this year. If the Beavers hadn't been forced to move to the West Coast Conference, do you think they would have stayed? – TJ
If the Pac-12 had remained intact, I don't think seven players (and maybe counting) would have left. They are definitely a couple.
If a student-athlete is legally classified as an employee, would a non-compete agreement be enforceable, meaning that it would prevent the athlete from attending a competing school for a year or two? The bigger question is, does the competition ban also apply to coaches? We understand that California does not allow non-competes, so this issue is a patchwork issue that relies on state law. Maybe the NCAA has rules that deal with this issue. — Jeffrey W.
That is a legal matter and outside of my scope. I'll say this. First, we are a long way from classifying athletes as employees. Second, even if it were to happen, a non-competition is unlikely to occur. Who will be the first to do that? That will put the school at a competitive disadvantage. The same goes for coaches. What coach would sign a no-competition clause if his colleague would not be bound by such a clause? Perhaps an attorney knowledgeable in this area can provide insight via email.
What should I do with my Dame jersey, Nick? – Bennett
I heard that Corvallis Goodwill has a section for people looking to give up their Beaver gear.
Do you have any predictions for when next year's independent baseball schedule will be announced? And what is your gut feeling as to whether baseball can continue as is or whether there will be mass transfer issues like in soccer and baseball? ? — @FantasyGuru91
I spoke with athletic director Scott Burns on Thursday and also asked him questions about the baseball schedule. My feeling is that we won't see a full schedule anytime soon. Part of that is what Barnes calls “the culture of baseball,” which is like a handshake deal. Sign your contract right before the season. “I have some contracts that I'm looking to sign…I like the progress and I think we're going to be in good shape,'' Burns said. Burns did not specify which series are locked up, other than to say it will be a national schedule that includes games and series against “a small number” of schools currently in the Pac-12.
I have never been so heartbroken. It's tragic. I find it easier to detach. After the Elite 8 run, there was a mass exodus. Initially, I was only hoping for Talia (von Olhoffen), thinking that maybe she wouldn't have the best chemistry with her in the locker room. Then bam, the domino effect. Make no mistake, these kids didn't sign up to play at her WCC. But still…tragic. I care deeply about Scott. I was out. – Chris D
Over the past week, I've received a lot of emails and comments on Twitter (X) saying college sports and Beaver fandom are over. I hear you. Please leave a little distance if you like. But please check back at some point. Things are changing so quickly that I'm not going to write off Oregon State as a player just yet.
Is there any talk of limiting this NIL money? Or at least change the forwarding rules. College athletes have an advantage over pros because they can transfer to any team at any time. When will those in power realize all this? – Cirello
Do you want to limit NIL money? Hahahahaha. If anything, it's going in a different direction. Do you want to change the forwarding rules? Maybe. But a better bet is to be more relaxed. The NCAA and schools are concerned that additional lawsuits could end up with 10- or 11-figure settlements.
“Suits” and everything for top athletes are now traded. Paid athletes should not be allowed to occupy space on these campuses. Coaches should not be paid as much or less than university teachers and professors. Agents should be banned. The NCAA should be run by university presidents, who should be paid expenses and a small stipend. – Chris P.
As with the previous question, good luck. America is a free market system. Setting a salary cap on coaches' salaries is frowned upon. I don't even know where to begin commenting on banning “paid” athletes from campus.
Crime should be easy to figure out. Will Coach Gunderson be available for interviews about the offensive line? And what is his perception of the progress of quarterbacks and their abilities? – Scott G.
Gunderson, Oregon State's offensive coordinator, said this during and before spring practice. I expect to hear from Gunderson next week as spring comes to an end. Regardless of the offense, playing quarterback has been tough this spring as two of the top three starting candidates transferred in January.
The P12 lawsuit has been settled, but what will happen to this issue? We know the rest are exploding behind our backs. ACC confusion. Baseball has its own schedule, so why can't women's basketball either? I fear that by the time this bottoms out, OSU will be far behind — @WebGuy223
This is uncharted territory for Oregon, and it doesn't end well for the school. I don't know. All I know is that his current situation will be different in March 2025. Further decline in Power 4 is certain. That may or may not benefit OSU. As for women's basketball playing its own schedule, that's not a start. Schools need a way to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, and conference play is the only way to do that. Not to mention scheduling games in January and February. All Division I schools, including Notre Dame, participate in conference play once the calendar hits her January month.
Can you explain how NIL works in practice, using the Damian Martinez case as an example? When you hear large sums of money being thrown around, how long are they going to be paid out? Or? — @halverbk
This is a 30 minute TV show, so there isn't enough time to explain everything. Essentially, anyone can offer an athlete his NIL deal. Athletes do work such as endorsements and appearances and receive compensation. Oregon State University's athletics website has a page dedicated to the NIL. In The Wood Shop you can click on a specific athlete to create his NIL opportunities. Most athletes, like Martinez, have NIL contracts through Oregon State University's organization Dam Nation. It opens up some commercial opportunities for Martinez, who will be paid a quarterly salary throughout the year.
What do you think about loyalty, coaches and running backs? — @APIdeclare
Loyalty is gone in college athletics. Coaches coach until they leave for another location to coach. Running backs have a short shelf life.
If you give your child a car and they drive drunk, are you legally responsible? — @red_flag_raised
As above, I am not a lawyer. But in reality, when you gift a car to someone, the title goes into the recipient's name. You are not responsible.
How would Mr. O feel if I included billable hours in my expenses?
What about the flames of competition between (Travis) Bazana and (Gavin) Turley? – @clear
From Joe Freeman, who covers OSU baseball for The Oregonian/OregonLive: Travis Bazana and Gavin Turley have had a relatively close relationship since Turley arrived in Corvallis before the 2023 season. Bazana was looking to spread his wings as a leader, and the two quickly bonded over their shared passion for baseball and the challenge of making it to the major leagues. Turley loves the outdoors, and Bazana wanted to introduce his new buddy to the beauty of Oregon, so they went hiking together in the summer and fall of 2022. But in baseball, the approach to hitting is very different. Bazzana wants all the analysis and information he can get his hands on, while Turley prefers to keep things simple (see this feature on Bazzana's motivations and this one on his Turley break from a recession a year ago). You can read more about the differences in the article). So, as you say, their competitiveness is completely different. But both have a burning desire to be the best, lead Oregon State to a national championship and realize their Major League dreams.
I need to create a NIL fan survival kit. Fill the orange and black lunch pail with a bottle of Oregon Statebilt Knot Bide Vodka. When you need a reminder of why you're an Oregon State fan, pull out your lunch bucket and grab a drink. — @BadDugr
Or maybe go for a walk. Take a break from social media for a while. Please stay away from the bulletin board. Even though your job requires you to keep reporting bad news, it's not healthy to be immersed in bad news.
Why should fans donate to the NIL fund for Oregon State at this point? It's clear that donations to the NIL are a huge waste of money. — @FromTheClods
Don't even get me started. But my opinion about money wasted on college athletics doesn't matter. What is clear is that NIL is here to stay. If Oregon State can't stay in the game, get ready to dig your own grave.
Gabari Johnson. Recent report? – Jeff S.
The redshirt freshman quarterback, who transferred from Missouri State, began participating in spring practice when the team returned from spring break last week. Johnson is working a little harder each practice. If he continues to develop, we could see a bit of him in the spring game on April 20th.
I don't know why, but the “agents” and “representatives” of Damien and many other college athletes smell suspicious (strangely poorly put together website, randomly created corny fake photos, etc.) A young “hustle” driven agent who posted on Hialeah's Buildings, etc.) — @ShortKingPhil
It's like a lot of “commission selling” type businesses. Some drugs are very good and ethical, others ooze out of every pore of your skin, and there are many in between. Until the NCAA and universities develop parameters for certifying agents, shameless and unethical hustlers will continue.
Nick Daschel covers Oregon State Track and Field in What to Do with My Dame Jersey. nick specializes in football and basketball.Contact him at 360-607-4824, ndaschel@oregonian.com, or @NickDaschell.
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