Reflecting on the Shame of College Sports: Should NCAA Div 1 Basketball and Football players get paid?

   The participation in collegiate sports and the relationship to academics has proven to have heavy ties with one another. In a study conducted by the Adlers on the academic performance of an athlete, they found that the rigor and dedication athletes contribute to their sports have gradually had a negative effect on their grades. In study done on NCAA basketball players they noted how this occurred, “After one or two semesters, the demands of playing basketball, the social isolation that goes along with being an athlete, and the powerful influence of the athletic subculture in the a big-time program drew them away from academic life (Coakley, 2007). Similarly the article, NYT Sports Economy states, “Evidence suggests that when your football team does well, grades suffer. For every three games won, grade-point average for men dropped 0.02, widening the GPA gender gap by 9 percent”. Interestingly enough, athletes participating in “big-time sports” are often not severely sanctioned for their academic shortcomings in the same way that any other student would be. For an athlete, the main focus of his/her endeavors lie in the performance of their sport, “academic detachment is not a problem for the school as long as the young men did not get caught doing something illegal or resist the control of their coach” (Coakley, 2007). Often times, athletes are privileged and get more benefits in the classroom due to their status, big-time sports have become a modern tribal religion for college student (5). Both students and staff constantly feel the need to justify these privileges.

    Undoubtedly, student athletes live with strenuous schedules that at times become excessive and overwhelming, however being as the vast majority of these big-time athletes are on academic scholarships and contracts, should these athletes be additionally paid? In The Shame of College Sports, it is stated how student-athletes generate billions of dollars for universities and private companies while earning nothing for themselves (2011).  Corporations offer money so they can profit from the glory of college athletes, and the universities grab it (2011) all while over working their athletes and costing them significant losses in their academic achievements. Should this be enough evidence to justify the pay of college athletes? This article went as far as to say that the NCAA makes money, and enables universities and corporations to make money, from the unpaid labor of young athletes (2011).

    I personally believe that there should definitely be measures taken on these issues at universities all around the nation. But at the end of the day, I believe that holding the position of a student athlete is a choice, although it does come with great responsibilities and sacrifices, it is something that the athlete selected as their career of choice and they should assume their role accordingly. I do not agree with student athletes being paid.