Division I athletes have devoted themselves to their sport with unwavering commitment for years. They have tirelessly worked day after day and week after week to pursue their passion and earn the chance to display their talents at a university. However, at this level, the focus shifts towards the business aspect, where athletes are required to generate profits for the university. Despite this, genuine athletes continue to play the sport that fills them with excitement. This has ignited a heated debate on whether college athletes should receive compensation for their participation in sports.
Winning a major game brings immense joy and excitement, making us feel like we are on top of the world. During these moments, our focus is solely on the victory, with no thoughts about money or earnings crossing our minds. According to the NCAA (2011), only around
...2% of high school athletes receive athletic scholarships for college-level competition. Therefore, participating in collegiate sports is a privilege, and earning an athletic scholarship makes it even more significant. This opportunity should not be taken lightly or for granted as it represents the pinnacle of competition and is a cherished dream for all athletes.
College athletics depends on the dedication, determination, and aspiration to excel in both sports and life. As a student-athlete myself, I strongly believe that it is not necessary to provide financial compensation to student-athletes. Various studies have shown different opinions on whether or not student-athletes should be paid, with responses ranging from positive to uncertain to negative. This article aims to examine the main concerns voiced by athletes who support payment and argue that offering compensation woul
negatively impact other athletes, students, and universities.
The discussion of potential issues related to paying athletes must first acknowledge the current benefits they receive. Student-athletes already receive compensation through scholarships and other perks provided by universities. These scholarships cover expenses like tuition, books, food, and housing. According to an article on ncaa.org, the average scholarship amount is over $100,000 per year (The Sport Digest, 2002-2010). Additionally, student-athletes enjoy extra advantages such as free tutors, favorable scheduling arrangements, trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, access to complimentary facilities, as well as clothing and equipment.
According to The Sport Digest (2002-2010), athletes at certain universities can receive up to $200,000 worth of additional benefits over their four years in college. When combined with athletic scholarships, student athletes can effectively earn an annual amount exceeding $150,000. By signing the National Letter of Intent, athletes agree to play for a university or school in exchange for a scholarship and are aware that they cannot accept extra benefits from outside organizations. This commitment to representing the university emphasizes prioritizing the institution over personal recognition.
When student-athletes represent the university, they also represent the companies that sponsor both the universities and the team. Universities can be sponsored by Adidas, Nike, and Under Armour. It's important to note that these companies not only sponsor the universities but also the individual athletes. Being part of a university's athletic team entitles student-athletes to receive various items such as shirts, socks, shoes, and more. According to research conducted between 2002-2010 by The Sport Digest, over half of student-athletes dedicate seven or more hours per week to their sport outside of scheduled practices.
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In order to allocate funds towards paying certain athletic teams, universities may reduce funding for specific sports. However, financial constraints prevent some universities from compensating athletes, leading to the elimination of other sports teams to generate revenue. This raises concerns about fairness as all student-athletes dedicate equal time and effort. It would be unjust to determine who receives payment and who gets cut. Moreover, cutting teams deprives athletes of the opportunity to compete and renders their hard work futile. Penalizing these athletes in order to financially support one specific team that already generates $150,000 annually seems unfair.
Both student-athletes and professionals have different focuses. Student-athletes prioritize their education alongside their sport, while professionals solely prioritize their sport. Student-athletes possess a stronger passion for their sport as they not only strive to play but also pursue an education. College athletics captivates many hearts because athletes play for their school rather than monetary gain, and the purity of college athletics would disappear if payment were involved. Being an athlete already distinguishes one from the university, and offering payment would only widen the gap further. Additionally, compensating athletes would decrease the allocation of funds for academics.
The tensions between students and athletes could arise from these major issues. Consequently, the athletic departments of universities might shift their focus from helping athletes get an education to becoming businesses. According to Bleacher Report (Nov. 20, 2011), scholarships were meant to support the education of those who cannot afford to attend, not to attract top athletes who are not interested in learning. Nevertheless, in many cases, scholarships have evolved into serving that purpose.
The criteria for awarding full-ride
scholarships has shifted from financial need to talent, posing a greater challenge for financially dependent students to pursue higher education. Consequently, colleges utilize their athletic programs as a way to entice top athletes and attract other students. This increased competition for scholarships further reduces the chances of obtaining one. If athletes start receiving compensation for their performances, universities will gain popularity based on the monetary rewards they offer rather than the quality of education provided. Consequently, athletic departments will engage in discussions with athletes about business arrangements and negotiate financial matters.
The coach can propose a negotiation to the potential college athlete, which involves a full scholarship and an additional $3,000 per month. The negotiation process has expanded to encompass various benefits that the school can provide. It is crucial that all student-athletes receive a complete scholarship before entering into negotiations for further perks. I previously emphasized in my paper that every athlete devotes equal time and effort to their sport, therefore each athlete should be granted a full scholarship as recognition prior to offering monetary rewards to other athletes.
Paying college athletes for their involvement in sports would harm the university and negatively affect other athletes. It is not worth sacrificing the well-being of some athletes to reward others. An anonymous person argues that scholarships and physical exercise are not the only reasons for participating in sports. The field offers an escape from troubles, and every moment spent playing is cherished. Hours of practice lead to flawless performances during games, making playing a fundamental part of their identity. Their participation is driven by genuine love for the game.
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