To be honest Lee, I think the way to fix the academic problem is having a major geared toward being a successful professional athlete that includes a curriculum they actually need (mix of business, public speaking, marketing, health and nutrition, leadership, physiology and sports science). If they don't make it, who cares? No one cares about people in other professions with useless degrees and majors who won't make it in their chosen career.
that's a good idea for the athletes who want to go that route....