College Atheletes Shouldnt Get Paid

Collegiate Athletics:

Should Athletes Get Paid?

College athletics, it’s a big money business. Some would say this is a reason to pay the athletes, and some would say it is not. It’s been an ongoing debate for quite a while, and it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. The athletes are doing something they have always loved, while having their education paid for by the school on a scholarship. Not to mention, college athletes should not be receiving pay; they are not at college for athletics, but for education to get a job.

Student-athlete, or athlete-student? Athletes already have many advantages (Daughtery, 1). The following quote, “The main problem with paying student athletes is that it is not the colleges’ primary function. The primary function of academic institutions is to educate” (sports and athletes, 1), explains that athletes shouldn’t be paid when they are not at a university solely to play sports, but to receive an education as well. Playing sports at the collegiate level is not about the money, but fulfilling a lifelong and childhood dream (Murphy, 1). One of most athletes goals athletically in life is to be rewarded with an athletic scholarship, so if you are doing what you love, you should not need any extra pay, and while these athletes may not have time to get a job like non-athletes, they are already getting paid enough through the scholarships they are being given.

Playing a collegiate sport is not a job, it’s a privilege, and it is about fulfilling a childhood dream and love of the game (Murphy, 1). Playing the sport you love and grew up playing everyday while going to school for free is something millions would die for, which is clearly reiterated in the following quote from the book, Sports and Athletes Opposing View Points:

“Do you know what people around the world would be willing to endure for a chance to be educated at one of our institutions of higher learning? Hell, people are dying on makeshift boats damn near everyday just to live in one of our ‘slums.’ And I’m supposed to feel sorry because a university is selling a jersey and not kicking back a few dollars to Joe Running Back?” (Whitlock, 1). This quote is a clear showing of what a privilege, and lack of a job it is to be going to one of the most prestigious universities in the world, almost for free (on a scholarship), and still participate in athletics. Scholarships are a whole other topic by themselves.

Scholarships, they are a common goal among many athletes, including myself. Many people feel that although division one sports is a big money business, that doesn’t mean the athletes should be paid for their services, because well, they already are. According to Asher Freeman, a 4 to 5 year scholarship can cost a university anywhere from $200,000 to $250,000. I feel that this is more than enough pay for an 18-22 year old and after talking to multiple family members and friends who are currently in or graduated college, this is much more than they are making. Based on family and friends I talked to, the average a non-athlete makes a year is about $4000 a year. Scholarships also include a lot more than just tuition and books. Student-athletes receive free books, a housing stipend, a meal plan and other benefits (Freeman, 1). At Baylor University, the student-athletes have their own academic center, with academic advisors and tutors, which is included in the scholarships as well (Freeman, 1). And while the athletics are big money businesses, not a large amount of schools make a revenue, only 23 of 228 division one