College whiners irk me.

For whatever reason, the idea of people selling jerseys of college teams has become quite the point of contention for people railing against the idea of not paying people to play college sports. Well, there have been a couple of sites that I saw the complaint on, namely The Big Lead, Barry Petchesky at Deadspin, and this post at Fanhouse by Kevin Blackistone.
Give me a break. Let's run down a few facts: most college athletes in the most profitable sports (football and basketball are the only two that are actually profitable, generally speaking) ARE paid. Do you know how much most college students would LOVE to be on a free ride at their school? Do you know how much the inclusion on a sports roster boosts one's notoriety and resume? Make no mistake, most of these athletes are paid upwards of 30k a year.
If you look up the typical pay of a meteorologist, you will see something in the 6 figures. The numbers are skewed because of the ones on TV and a few of the senior meteorologists at the National Weather Service. Most pro meteorologists make less than 30k a year. This would be about the same discrepancy between a college athlete and one in the NFL or NBA. It's not insane for someone to make 25k a year while other members of their profession make significantly more.  And for those that are upset they aren't getting that money in cash, then I say it's their fault if they are too stupid to parlay a free education into a successful career.
As for the millions the school rakes in, I need to remind you that those millions typically go to fund other programs. Were the schools to pay athletes, then the school starts losing money. Programs are dropped. And if there IS a profit, that goes back into the school. Most of these universities are non profit, so that extra cash goes back into courses, research professors and facilities. Remember? These are schools we're talking about, not the big bad NFL.
Blackistone made reference to the plight of one particular athlete. The problem with allowing one player an exception is that it's a slippery slope. If one athlete at Georgia is allowed to take money from the school on top of his scholarship (and that's what selling their property is), then what's to stop an athlete from a less privileged school, like, say, Idaho, from doing the same?
Now that I have talked about that, I can start in on the fallacy of a playoff being more fair than the present system. Perhaps another time.

Even when they try to do something right, the NCAA is obtuse.

As you may or may not know, the NCAA has officially come down on the Fighting Sioux nickname of the University of North Dakota, decreeing it offensive to the Dakota tribe of North Dakota. I am of the camp that I have never seen the cause for offense from the above logo or the nickname, however I also believe that, since I am not a member of the tribe, my opinion doesn't matter. If they are offended, that is their right, and North Dakota should change their logo and mascot. Beyond being offensive, deciding for others what they should or should not be offended by is insulting.
Of course, it's a two way street. What do I mean? The Spirit Lake tribe has actual approved of the nickname. Essentially, the NCAA is telling the Spirit Lake Dakota what they should be offended by, which, in my mind, should be more offensive than the logo in question. Especially since the tribe isn't offended by it.
Of course, I haven't laid all the cards on the table. The Standing Rock tribe hasn't voted to approve the nickname.Why? Well, here's the Star Tribune's write up:

"...the Standing Rock tribal council has resisted calls for it to change its bylaws to allow a vote."

 That's right, the NCAA assumes the Standing Rock are offended by the logo because they haven't reformatted their system of government to discuss this relatively minor issue (in the grand scheme of things). If you recall, the United States of America recognizes the Native American tribes as sovereign nations. The NCAA has now resorted to government building to get what they want. They must be stopped.
Anyways, just to spite the NCAA, I have a proposal. UND should become the Fightin' Dakota. It could be described as a reflection of the state, all while the Spirit Lake tribe (and the Standing Rock tribe, if they get around to NCAA mandated governmental reform and vote with the Spirit Lake) can be as respected and honored as they wish, and there is nothing the NCAA can do about it. Until they decide that the name "North Dakota" is offensive.