By The News Service of Florida
High-school sports coaches would be able to spend their own money, up to $15,000 annually per team, to help players in need of food, transportation or recovery services, under a bill filed Thursday for the upcoming legislative session.
The bill (HB 1253), filed by Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-Lighthouse Point, would direct the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt bylaws that would allow coaches to support the welfare of students through personal funds. Coaches would have to report the spending, and the money couldn’t be used for recruiting.
Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens, has filed a similar measure (SB 178), though it wouldn’t cap the amount spent.
In July, Education Commissioner Anastasios “Stasi” Kamoutsas called for more flexibility after former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was suspended from his voluntary coaching position at Miami Northwestern Senior High School for assisting students through Uber rides, meals and branded gear.
The legislative session will start Tuesday.
Money has destroyed college $port$.
High $crewel next!
Students or football players? Maybe it time to rethink how much time and money is going to sports while we continue to fail on language, math, STEM, economics, history etc.