I went through it and that is not accurate. They could do it but they won't get a degree afterwards. The biggest issue as a student/athlete in the major sports, especially the good players that might have a chance at the next level, is that they are there to prepare for their dream, as every other student. They are then told that they can study to become something other than what they want to do. Then to take classes in this "backup" career interferes with their practice time for the real reason they are there. So now the degree programs become limited because you, and your coaches really, don't want to miss practice. Then these student athletes commit 2 or 3 hours a day outside of school hours to do what they are really there for. It then becomes a just remain eligible situation.
So if this was designed specifically for these student athletes and works for their betterment, it is a positive. They will then get an education in their interests that can be a stepping stone into many other careers.
And to your "so few make it" argument, so few people make it big in music or acting or art and we have entire schools dedicated to those endeavors. It is not up to you to tell someone else their dream is hard so we won't train you in that field. There are a ton of degrees that lead to limited financial success. 18th century French literature is not in much demand, but there are people majoring in it.
