With the recent suspensions of DeShaun Foster and William Green due to off-the-field incidents, I think it is appropriate to address some of the issues that are currently facing college football.

Foster and Green were two of the top candidates for the Heisman Trophy this year, with Green leading the NCAA in rushing yards and Foster not far behind-their absences played large parts in their respective team's fates this past weekend. Foster was suspended because he had been using a spoarts utility vehicle that was given to him by a booster of the UCLA program, a clear violation of NCAA rules, and Green was missing in action because of an unspecified violation of team rules. Because it is hazy why Green was suspended-reports indicate that it involved an unexcused absence from practice-I will focus on Foster's conduct.

Players receiving gifts from boosters are one of the biggest problems facing major college sports. Since college players are supposed to be amateurs in every sense of the word, any type of payment for their services-other than scholarships-is illegal. But should it be?

In big-time college sports, players can earn their institutions an enormous amount of money. While it has been documented that most athletic programs lose money on their football and basketball programs, there are some that make money, hand over fist. This year, the payout for any one of the eight teams that is selected for any of the BCS bowl games is around $13 million. And while institutions can make these enormous sums, players are often hung out to dry, receiving nothing.

With the importance that many schools place on their football programs-whole states often live and die by the fate of their team-it should make sense that college players receive at least some type of stipend or pay for their work. Without the ability to work during the school year, due to extensive practice schedules and limited earning potential during the summer-athletes are only allowed to make $2,000 during the summer-most players are at a loss financially. And who can blame them when they are offered gifts from wealthy supporters of the program? I doubt that I would make a different decision if I was in Foster's shoes.

There are many changes that have to be made with major college sports, and I believe that pay-for-play should be one of them. With the game growing more important every year, and the financial payouts to institutions ballooning, players should receive greater compensation for their work. Many argue that a free college education is more than enough pay for their participation in athletics, but with the massive restrictions placed upon the players and the de-emphasis of academics in their daily lives, these athletes are not receiving the same education as other students. More must be done for athletes, otherwise scandals will continue to beset the game, sapping its integrity and removing some of the best players from the college ranks prematurely. The merging of college and professional sports has been a continuing trend, and in order for college sports to retain their integrity and worth, major changes must be made.

The future oaf the Cardinals

A few weeks ago, I implored Mark McGwire to retire from the game of baseball, and this weekend he made the decision to retire. After a career alternately filled with extraordinary accomplishments and periods of near inactivity due to injury, McGwire has made the right decision.

McGwire has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of in his career. For over a decade, he was the most feared slugger in the major leagues; he holds the rookie record for home runs in a season, won a World Series with the A's, and finished his career with 583 home runs.

While his career has been incredible, we all wonder what it could have been had he stayed healthy for all of his career. First off, he probably would not be retiring right now. If he had stayed healthy in recent seasons, I firmly believe that he would still be playing. Second, he would have had a great chance to break Hank Aaron's career mark for home runs. He is retiring with the best home run-to-bat ratio in the history of the game, and, given another couple thousand at-bats, he would have broken Aaron's record quite easily.

What the Cardinals do to replace McGwire will be interesting. McGwire was Jason Giambi's mentor as Giambi came into the major leagues with Oakland. With Giambi now one of the premier players in the game, and a free agent this off-season, the Cardinals have entered the bidding for his services. Since Mc-Gwire's departure for St. Louis, he has continued to maintain a close relationship with Giambi, and Giambi says that much of his success is owed to McGwire. With McGwire playing an active role in recruiting Giambi to St. Louis, I don't think that anyone would be surprised to see Giambi playing first base for the Cardinals next year.

Shaq and Kobe to lead the Lakers

With another NBA season just getting under way, the Lakers have laid down the gauntlet and challenged the rest of the NBA to take away their title. And I don't think that anyone can come close. L.A. has started the season 6-0, and they haven't even come close to playing their best basketball.

Everything for the Lakers starts with Shaquille O'Neal. When Shaq entered the league, he was a one-dimensional offensive force who relied on his strength and size to utterly overpower opponents. He was extremely effective with this style of play, but now that he has broadened his game, he is unstoppable. Most of his points still come on overpowering inside play, but he has shown that he has a few finesse post moves and his range has improved dramatically. Sure, he still can't shoot free throws, but no player can be expected to be perfect in all aspects of the game. Shaq was named one of the 50 best players in NBA history after only four years in the league, and now he is quickly becoming one of the most dominant forces in basketball history.

Supporting Shaq is arguably the second best player in the game, Kobe Bryant. After coming straight out of high school to the NBA, Kobe struggled with both his physical and emotional maturity. This isn't an issue anymore. Kobe began to play up to his full potential last year, making himself one of the most dangerous players in the league. This year, he has continued that upward ascendancy, and he is easily the best second option in the league. He has the ability to take over games in his own right, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the court.

Around these two superstars is a great supporting cast. With proven players like Mitch Richmond and Lindsey Hunter, and up-and-coming youngsters such as Devean George and Stanislav Medvedenko, the Lakers are deeper and better than any team in the league.

There are only two things that can derail the Lakers. The first is an injury to either Shaq or Kobe. If either player suffers a season-ending injury, the Lakers become merely a good team, and probably wouldn't be strong enough to take home a third straight title. The second scenario involves bickering between the two superstars.

Last year, the Lakers struggled through much of the early season when Kobe tried to assert himself more in the offense-read he was selfish and tried to make himself the central figure in the Lakers offense. The team was able to overcome their differences last year and ended up winning the title, but it is no guarantee that they can go through those squabbles with the same type of success this season.

With that said, I wouldn't bet against the Lakers this season. If all goes well, the team should easily be able to emerge from the Western Conference, take their third consecutive championship, and lay the groundwork for the next great basketball dynasty.