Should College Athletes Get Paid Essay

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College athletes do not receive a salary for their services in their athletic programs. Officials have debated for many years on the correct position on paying these student athletes, especially those in the larger profit gaining sports such as football and basketball. The debates have come to the similar conclusion that college players should not receive direct monetary compensation as an amateur athlete at any institution. This decision is appropriate for multiple reasons involving the athletes, administration, and universities as a whole. College athletes receive different scholarships that purchase tuitions and other learning materials. If students get more money for their athletic performance, they will direct their focus away from academic …show more content…

The article “Paying College Athletes” also reads, “Supporting Evidence/Source: On many campuses across the country, athletes' academic studies are forced to take a backseat to their athletic performance” (Garda 2). College athletes have to take focus away from education in order to practice and perform well in sports, so if it was also making them a profit it would encourage players to focus less on education. A limited percentage of college athletes become pro athletes after graduation, so it is imperative for students to excel in academic classes in order to have the tools necessary for future employment. Coaches commonly attempt to persuade athletes to sign up for less involved classes so that they can focus on football or basketball. After graduation, many student athletes are left with an impractical degree and no future in professional sports. An article, “Should College Student Athletes be Paid,” also brings up an NCAA commitment under the collegiate model which includes institutions creating an environment in which athletes’ activities promote further education. Colleges have the responsibility to create a learning environment, and paying players for participation in sports would inhibit that environment. College athletics are for the purpose of providing entertainment and activity to exist with the intention of attaining higher education. College athletes choose to participate in sports as part of their educational experience, but sports should not become the focus of their college

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