Should college athletes get paid?

[Flipper]

Good debate here! I would have to say no, they should not. I am really against all the hoopla (no pun intended) that college sports, or for that matter even high school sports get. While it is certainly nice for a college to have a great reputation as always fielding great teams, the real reason for college is for academics, not sports. Sports should be secondary to the education, not bass-ackwards. I really do not watch many "ball" sports, but it's really amazing when they stick a microphone in a players face, and they can barely speak comprehensible english....and they were born here!

 

[mngopherguy]

Originally posted by spok4
I am lazy and don't fill like reading backwards

NO NO NO, I meant why shouldn't they consider paying them since the schools make so much money off them? I was curious I guess for a discription as to why you say no

 

[mngopherguy]

Flipper- I understand. I guess I don't see anything wrong with getting scholarships based on your mind, or on your athletic skills.

The hoopla? I don't know why either. I just love those sports the same way I love NASCAR also. And though you make a good point about what happens when a mic gets put in a kids face, sadly I think its worse in NASCAR.

Its been a great friendly debate backed by a few facts for once

 

[Gollum]

If you pay the athletes because they are good in football basketball and so on.The collage spends a lot on money to ship the teams all over the country. So why not pay the Math, History, Computer and Economics Students that are at the top of their class. Seems fair to me.

 

[judas1]

N O

 

[mngopherguy]

Originally posted by Gollum
If you pay the athletes because they are good in football basketball and so on.The collage spends a lot on money to ship the teams all over the country. So why not pay the Math, History, Computer and Economics Students that are at the top of their class. Seems fair to me.

Simply because the University doesn't make 2 million dollars a Saturday from those students. And because these atheletes in many cases are not allowed to work.

Although if it were possible, an incentive for being at the top of the class would be interesting. But I highly doubt any schools could afford anything like this.

 

[PenskeGirl]

I like the idea that if a player, any player, goes to the pros, they pay the school back for the scholarship. Not just football, but all sports.

 

[mngopherguy]

Its not a bad idea. I think it would be hard. Some players might only sit on the sidelines or a bench for a year and be cut. Should they pay back as much as a first round pick who gets garanteed money? Or would you add in other clauses?

 

[PenskeGirl]

Originally posted by mngopherguy
 Should they pay back as much as a first round pick who gets garanteed money?  Or would you add in other clauses?

LOL, I haven't thought that far ahead. I just remember someone mentioning it in an earlier post and I thought it was a pretty good idea. I honestly didn't put much more thought into it. Just off the top of my head I would say that they should pay back the amount that their scholarship was, regardless of whether they're a first round pick or someone who ends up only warming the bench for a yr. I say that because even the lowest guys on the totem pole make hundreds of thousands of dollars. Might just be $100,000 but that's still more than enough to pay it back.

What do you think mng?

 

[TN-Ward-Fan]

Again let me say how fun it's been to discuss something without it becoming a full blown war.

I keep going back to one simple idea. College is first and foremost a place for learning, not earning. If Joe Blow wants to go to (for instance) Texas A&M, but doesn't have the grades, he doesn't get in....unless he can dunk a basketball. Then he's in, even gets it all paid for, even if he can't write a 500 word essay without making 100 errors. That's wrong. That's wrong on every level. Then to pay him on top of that? What about all the students who are "smart" enough for college level academics, but test poorly and therefore have lower ACTs? Should they learn to catch a football?

We as a country have gotten away from the original concept of the student athlete. Notice the student part comes first...as it should. I have infinitely more respect for Kobe Bryant, who went pro straight out of high school and didn't waste a roster spot at a college he had no desire in attending, than I do anyone who "goes pro" before finishing college. College athletics should not be synonymous with minor leagues, development leagues, or whatever. They should be for students, driven to obtain an education, who happen to have athletic talent.

 

[mngopherguy]

Penske Girl- I don't think they should have to pay back their scholarships. I think they pay for them every Saturday when they play in front of thousands of people. Just my opinion of course

Hmmm, student athelete. Its well known there have been scandals in sports. But I think they are blown out of proportion. I say just look at the business world. The facts are: A student athelete needs a 19 on the ACT to play and enroll in a Division 1 college. They also need to maintain a passing grade in school to continue on. Now I know some atheletes have cheated or gotten help. I know not everyone is honest. But the majority of the kids do have to do the work. Now I also know opponents will say some of these guys and gals take easy classes. And I'm sure some do, but they are classes that are also offered to the average student.

Kobe Bryant- I don't necessarily like kids going high school to pro. First I admit because its the standard to go to college. But secondly I don't think many of those kids are mature enough. I know the NBA does its best making the rookies fromhigh school and college attend 2 day workshops. Making sure they take care of their money, Know everything with checks, debits, anything bank related. I also know they talk about being away from home often ect. Also alot of those high school kids are not used to sitting on the bench. Most of these guys are not as talented as Kobe or KG. Although I admit KG iscprobably the nicest guy in the NBA and has a great head on his shoulders. But not all 18 year olds do. Just my opinion again

One thing I wish many sports would do, is draft guys earlier. Like hockey. Generally a guy is drafted his freshmen year and then plays at college until his junior or senior seasons. I think this takes alittle of the pressure off. I can see a disagreement from people saying they won't attend school at all then, but clubs want the guys going to school. They want maturity for when the kids play for them. Yes I realize this kind of makes the colleges minor league, but if you take these atheletes away from the schools, where will the colleges make money? It all comes down to money. I still maintain the stance that when a college sees an athelete come on campus, they don't see his face, they see green.

Pleasure talking to you, look forward to a few responses