I believe it is absolutely fair to ask, if not expect, that those who received an opportunity play college athletics and receive an education in the process give back to their school. There are some very dedicated individuals within the athletic department who are responsible for showing former athletes the vision for Eastern's future and to request donations from the in the process. The process is starting to take hold, but it's slow going.
Now that many athletes who were here during the middle part of the decade when we were very successful are getting to a point professionally where they feel able to start giving back. It is up to the individual to determine how much they can afford, and not everyone would be able to give a $30,000 or $40,000 gift to "offset" the cost of their scholarship. Many former athletes donate to the EAA which directs funds for scholarships for a new generation of athletes. In that sense, money is being given back.
Athletes pay more than just a monetary price for their college experience as well. Most of us have some sort of nagging physical issue left over from our playing days. For example, I have the knees of a 40 year old at the ripe old age of 26. I also have arthritis in my wrist and some of my fingers. Would I trade my experiences as an athlete for EWU for 100% healthy joints? Hell no. I know there are many former teammates out there who feel similarly. As the saying goes, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
