Jenna Tucker
Research Paper
November 10, 2011
Paying College Athletes? Might Not Be a Bad Thing
College athletes are some of the hardest working individuals around. Athletes have a routine that includes brutal practices, intense games, and difficult college courses. College athletes carry a tremendous weight on their shoulders. Compensation for college athletes has been a controversial subject for years. Many individuals have their arguments in support of each side. However, no definite decision has been determined in this matter. College athletes should get paid for their performance because their sport is their job; the players have other financial responsibilities they need to handle and their respective schools are gaining significant amounts of money from their talents.
College athletes are continuously busy in the sports they participate in. They must be involved in both regular season and off season training, deal with rigorous travelling schedules, and depending on the athletic program, participate in a variety of service events. One of their greatest responsibilities is to portray a positive image at all times. As a result, they have no time to obtain a job like many other college students. There have been many news reports that have exposed and reprimanded colleges and athletes who have been involved in the exchange of inappropriate benefits. These benefits can include items such as money, cars, clothes, and some schools are even taking care of their players’ family members back home who are in great need of financial assistance (Hagedorn 122). Their dedication to their sport prevents the opportunity to get jobs at a McDonalds or any other place of employment. Imagine winning college football’s most prestigious award, the Heisman Trophy, but then giving it back five years later. Former University of Southern California stand out, Reggie Bush, won the 2005 Heisman Trophy by a landslide