speaking as a former student athlete... - Edit 2
Before modification by LadyLorraine at 06/04/2011 06:57:42 PM
No, not a single, solitary student athlete should be paid a dime for their playing.
Why?
They're STUDENT athletes. They should be in college for an education, not as a fast-track to professional sports, until the time we start having "football majors".
Now, it does suck that the professional leagues in most professional big-name sports pretty much require their players to prove themselves in college to some degree. I don't agree with this for the reason I state above. Education should be for education...not as an excuse to play ball.
Additionally, students ARE practically paid. They're given full ride scholarships, TONS of free clothing and gear, clothing scholarships, free food, etc...etc...etc... The value of everything a Division I football player receives can be vastly more than what some people can make in a whole year, depending on the university. Even as a non-competing equestrian team member, a team that always had just a little less than everyone else, I probably received well over a couple thousand dollars in "perks" each year, and that's not counting my small scholarship.
40,000k tuition+books+board+clothes+gear+etc...etc...etc..is PLENTY payment. Not to mention that where would this salary come from?? MY tuition? YOUR alumni donations? doubled football ticket prices?
It's just stupid, imo. Yes, they are working their tails off. They ARE being compensated, though, and substantially.
Why?
They're STUDENT athletes. They should be in college for an education, not as a fast-track to professional sports, until the time we start having "football majors".
Now, it does suck that the professional leagues in most professional big-name sports pretty much require their players to prove themselves in college to some degree. I don't agree with this for the reason I state above. Education should be for education...not as an excuse to play ball.
Additionally, students ARE practically paid. They're given full ride scholarships, TONS of free clothing and gear, clothing scholarships, free food, etc...etc...etc... The value of everything a Division I football player receives can be vastly more than what some people can make in a whole year, depending on the university. Even as a non-competing equestrian team member, a team that always had just a little less than everyone else, I probably received well over a couple thousand dollars in "perks" each year, and that's not counting my small scholarship.
40,000k tuition+books+board+clothes+gear+etc...etc...etc..is PLENTY payment. Not to mention that where would this salary come from?? MY tuition? YOUR alumni donations? doubled football ticket prices?
It's just stupid, imo. Yes, they are working their tails off. They ARE being compensated, though, and substantially.