Schooled Documentary

Copious amounts of time and effort lead to an equally large reward to everyone but the student athlete. Schooled, directed by Trevor Martin and Ross Finkel, is a compelling documentary that explores this concept and depicts the life and hardships of those who play college sports in America. Through its many appeals, the film helps to expose the corruption of NCAA, the organization who makes the rules, and reach those who can make a change to a system of injustice.

Throughout the film, multiple credible sources are interviewed and asked to comment on the idea of student athletes playing for pay. Among those interviewed are students that are currently playing or have played college football under the NCAA. The first of the students interviewed

is Johnathan Franklin, a running back at UCLA, who introduces the audience to the lives of the players. Other player accounts outline the trials and tribulations that are faced under the NCAA. Sources also include historians such as Pulitzer prize winning, Taylor Branch gives his account and thoughts on how these athlete’s rights are being infringed upon and others who give background as to where the concept of an amature originated. University administrators and those involved deeply in the works of the NCAA and college athletics also contribute to the film. Sonny Vaccaro, the man who started the rush to get college athletes into brand names, also expresses his distaste for how the athletes are treated and the compensation denied them. Mary Willingham, a teacher at a university, is a woman interviewed who directly experienced the NCAA’s underhanded policies and falsehoods. She helped to expose the contradictions of the “student first mantra”. NCAA employees and supporters are also interviewed in order to show the mindset of the continued “student athlete” concept and strengthen the film’s claim.

Video footage and documentation of the man who coined the term “student athlete” is shown. One compelling piece of evidence was when the founder himself admitted that the concept was outdated and should be change. This combination of diverse viewpoints helps to expose the truth of how college football turned into a multibillion dollar industry supported by unpaid laborers.

Schooled shows the ugly side of college athletic scholarships, when many think of it as a wonderful and priceless opportunity. In many instances, tugs at the audience's emotions and allows them to really feel for the plight of the players. An ongoing emotional appeal the film is the corruption of the NCAA and its misdoings. The athletes are trapped in this underhanded system. The only way to get to the NFL or NBA is through colleges whose athletic departments are controlled by the NCAA. The account of Arian Foster, a previous student athlete, helps to bring this point to life by talking about his experience as a player. Foster talks about how he would have an amazing game, see fans with team merchandise inspired by him, and sign autographs,

but when he went home at the end of the night, there would be no food in his refrigerator. He says, “ I have nothing to show for what I just did”. His teammates shared similar hardships of not being able to provide for themselves. These players are being put in video games, on shirts, and are generating billions yet they do not see a cent of the money. It got to the point where the team’s coach had to bring them food but this was a violation of the strict NCAA rules. These rules are easy to cross and they are a huge reason why more college athletes do not speak out against the organization. One wrong move and an athlete’s scholarship is at risk. Devon Ramsay can attest to that fact. He was charged and convicted of violating NCAA rules after simply receiving a small amount of help from a tutor outside their program. Athletes also have no security in their education. Even a student with a 4.0 GPA can be dismissed if they are not performing on the field. There is the claim that the free gift of education athletes are receiving makes all the effort with no pay of worth it, but this is hard to believe when actual school work is set on a lower pedestal than the sport being played. In many instances an athlete’s education is subpar which his very dangerous considering the fact that 98% will not go pro. Paper Classes are made for whole teams and the only concern is making sure the players are eligible. The NCAA claims that the athletes are students and not employees but latter states that the contract athletes sign is just like working as a company employee. If you do not live up to the expectations then you are terminated. It is just one of many contradictions present in the organization. The NCAA clings to the term “student athlete” to avoid paying workman compensation. Injured and permanently crippled athletes try to seek compensation but can be denied under the student athlete pretense. Kent Waldrep was paralyzed during a game and received no compensation for his medical expenses after losing a case under these terms. The film features his family and their experience with Kent’s recovery. These moving statement help the viewers to truly feel for the athlete’s and hopefully gain their support in enacting change.
If the NCAA continues to be corrupt then the student athletes will continue being denied their rights. They have no representation and their to right to seek compensation for services of value is suppressed. No other student departments are told not to make a profit off their education. The NCAA claims that it is not the students bringing in money, it is the colleges’ investments, yet without the students there is no game. Arian Foster says, “I looked up the definition of indentured servant and it's exactly what a student athlete is”. If some form of change is not enacted the system will eventually come crashing down.
In the case of a student athlete the work put in is much greater than the reward. Trevor Martin and Ross Finkel capture the side a beloved past time that not many fans thinks about. They call for awareness and action prevent the continuation of this unethical practice, hoping to end the system of servitude for the nation’s young athletes.