because the NCAA did not recognize his diagnosis of a learning disability that allowed for a third try at the qualifying score .
He added : “ It ’ s a money-maker , plain and simple . Kids fall through the cracks . Things have to change . Kids who stay four years still can ’ t find a job . College coaches , they make millions of dollars off these kids they get . What do these kids get ? They have to compete in the classroom , too . They still have to go and perform when they are tired and hurt . People need to know these things .
“ I ’ m glad things went how they went . If I could do everything over again , I would do it the same way . ”
“ Baseball has minor leagues . That would create opportunities for ballplayers to still make money . We need to find a way to take care of our own . We ’ ve got to fix that .”
All Cotton can do is do his part .
He has ambitious plans for his program , wanting to build what he terms as a “ one-stop shop ” that includes academic counseling for his players . “ There ’ s nothing out there like I ’ m talking about ,” he said . “ I ’ m talking about a facility that encompasses everything .”
The idea was not part of any major epiphany , but part of an ongoing emergence from a funk that lasted 15 to 20 years . “ I first thought about it back in 2006 or 2007 ,” said Cotton . “ I wanted to leave a mark behind . I thought about how I can leave a legacy . The idea of a basketball academy came up .”
Although what he sees as his life ’ s work has decades to go , the early returns are affirming , and he admits that it “ feels good .” And there is a more personal reason for Cotton to do what he is doing , looking ahead to goals like building on his foundation and a film and television company , which is his 7-year- old daughter , Chloe . “ I have a responsibility to her as well ,” he said . “ Kids watch everything . I want her to know her father had a story , and he made something of his life . “ It did not turn out so bad , but you have to be careful what you wish for .”
photograph by Michael Angulo
Fall 2016 coachandplayer . com
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