Yesterday, we told you about how some California taxpayers were pissed off at UCLA for giving Diddy's son Justin Combs a $54,000 football scholarship. With the University of California school system facing financial troubles right now, there are some people out in Cali who think that giving a scholarship to a kid who is the son of the richest rapper in the country is a waste of money. But, UCLA fired back at those critics late last night by pointing out that athletic scholarships are not based on finances and do not use up taxpayers' money.
"Unlike need-based scholarships, athletic scholarships are awarded to students strictly on the basis of their athletic and academic ability, not their financial need," UCLA said in a statement. "Athletic scholarships, such as those awarded to football or basketball players, do not rely on state funds. Instead, these scholarships are entirely funded through UCLA Athletics ticket sales, corporate partnerships, media contracts, and private donations from supporters."
"Each year," the statement continued, "UCLA awards the equivalent of approximately 285 full athletic scholarships to outstanding student-athletes. The scholarships are used by the UCLA Department of Intercollegiate Athletics to pay students' tuition and fees, as well as room and board. In this respect, UCLA is no different from the overwhelming majority of Division I institutions."
Justin also released a statement of his own on Twitter. "Regardless what the circumstances are, I put that work in!!!! PERIOD."
Exactly. Now, can we please move on?
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[via ESPN]
