04
April
2016
|
17:21 PM
America/Chicago

Olivas Moderates Debate about Paying College Athletes

New York Times sports business columnist, author Joe Nocera, and ESPN and CBS sports analyst, attorney Len Elmore, faced off in an hour-long debate Friday, April 1, 2016. The debate, held in the Bates Law Building at the University of Houston Law Center, centered on whether college athletes should be paid for on-field performance.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by Leonard M. Baynes, dean of the UH Law Center. Michael A. Olivas, interim president of University of Houston-Downtown (UHD), moderated the exchange, asking a series of questions on topics including college athletes' rights to free education.

David Bradley, the UHD vice president of administration and finance, was among the attendees.

"The debate topic is obviously very timely, with the NCAA Final Four here in town. Both Nocera and Elmore were well-prepared, and both were animated in making their particular argument," Bradley said. "As moderator, Dr. Olivas did a good job of first framing the debate, and then interjecting periodically to keep it lively and on-point."

To watch the full discussion, click here.