College Athlete Benefits

The college experience is one that allows an individual to pursue his or her academic interest in a controlled environment while having freedom to be independent. This experience often has a monetary value referred to as tuition. If even more were added onto this experience like an opportunity to practice and improve with some of the best athletes as well as exposure and recognition, the value of the experience increases. Along with the increase in value should come an increase in price, instead, athletes are offered all the benefit and extra for no cost. Former head of the NCAA, Myles Brand believes that free tuition is an adequate reimbursement for a student athlete. On the other hand, many college athletes believe they deserve more. The
schools sells rights to use the athletes skills and number to make video games, the school benefits from sponsors, the school sell right to view past games, but athletes don’t receive any of those benefits. Also, keep in mind, not every student athlete is on a full scholarship, so many do not receive the benefits, which NCAA head believes is a fair exchange. With that being said, the current NCAA system needs reform to ensure that the students receive benefits that they deserve.
The current college sports system resembles that of a professional sport.
Gerdy uses his article “For True Reform, Athletics Scholarships Must Go” to show the corrupt methods of the NCAA. He believes that college sports are at a level much higher than an amateur level: “Division I scholarship athletes are professionals—and to claim otherwise is to ignore reality”(Gerdy). Gerdy emphasizes that college sports are beyond what the NCAA claims. Although he believes the solution is to dismiss athletic scholarships, he recognizes the problem. The March madness video showed how college athletes receive the short end of the stick when it comes to benefits. The main difference between amateur and professional is the salary of athletes and college athletes receive no salary. Not only do they not receive a salary, but the NCAA will not even provide tickets for the athletes families to allow them to watch their child play. In addition, the coaches are paid top dollar to coach, often times, athletic coaches make more money than the president of the university—for example, University of Missouri President. Former president of NCAA, Myles Brand justifies the mistreatment of athletes: “college sports…are designed to bring educational value to those who participate…playing sports is not their job; they are amateurs, whether they receive an athletic scholarship or not”(Brand). Essentially, Brand sees no problem and no need to change any part of the college athletic program. Unlike Brand and
Gerdy, Toma acknowledge the faults of the NCAA, but also acknowledge the positive relationship. He believes college sports add to the college experience so there is no need to rid universities of college sports like Gerdy suggests.
In conclusion, One cannot say that sports need to cease to exist nor can one say that sports have no place for improvement. Like Toma suggest, reform of the current system could lead to improvement, which in turn would please more people.
Personal Reflection
Universities need the athletic program just as much as athletes need the athletic program.
Although colleges benefit more from the relationship, the only route for athletes is through the university. By having college sports, a university is able to market that as a reason to come to the universities as well as a way to make money. On the other hand, athletes have the chance to study and broaden their knowledge; practice and play against the best athletes; access to the best coaches and equipment; as well as the ability to make a name for his or herself. If one truly desires to take his or her career to the next level, the athlete needs a university; therefore, the exchange of playing for free tuition is an equal one. Not to mention that the students who don’t plan to play the sport on the next level receive a free education as well. Just as Toma suggest, sports and college have a positive relationship, but reforms need to be
made.
If the college continues to receive benefits from an athlete after their time at the university, the university should split the profit with the athlete. For example, if a university sells a game as a classic game to ESPN, then athletes should receive a portion of the money and the same for video games that mimic a player. It’s absurd that an athlete can provide so much money for a school yet after the student time is over at the university, the university no longer cares about their well being. In the March Madness video, the very popular athlete was working at a car dealership after his successful athletic career. Money from the video games and the ESPN games could provide much needed money for him. The current system could reform the rule to provide benefits for athletes after the leave the university if the university still profits from them.
In addition, the university should look out for the best interest of the athlete instead of what will make the most money. To do so, universities must stop hosting games during the week in order to have their games on ESPN. Universities know that the athletes have classes and missing class hinders their grade. Also, practice times must be decrease in order increase the possibilities for student athletes. The athletes have to choose classes around their practice schedule and limited to majors they can major in. These students are suppose to have an opportunity to continue their education, so they should not be limited in what they can major in. Plus, many athletes do not make it to the pro leagues, so they only have their degree. The athletics program requires that athletes place priority on their sport instead of their education.
With a few minor changes the athletic program and the university can improve its relationship. Athletes can benefit more and universities can keep true to their purpose. Athletes can achieve more in school and benefit more from their experience if sports could take a back seat to learning. Despite all the changes that need to be made to improve the current system, sport scholarships offer a unique opportunity.