Paying College Athletes

Paper Summary:

In this essay, the writer notes that as the January college football bowl season begins, talk will inevitably resurface about the millions of dollars in appearance fees that universities are paid to play in these games, and how none of that money makes its way to the players. The writer points out that the issue of paying Division I college athletes has been discussed for years, and seems to come to the forefront of national sports and higher education dialogue when big-money games like football bowls are played, or when players are sanctioned for illegally taking money from boosters. The writer maintains that as long as college sports continue to bring in big money, the notion of paying college athletes will persist. The writer concludes that the goal of college athletics should not be to provide modest compensation to athletes for four years - it should be to allow young people to pursue their degrees while playing sports.

Outline:
Athletics are not Cash Cows
Making Scholarships More Meaningful
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"One of the problems with the argument for paying student athletes is that a key tenet of the argument -- that universities make millions off of their athletics programs -- is not universally true. In fact, many schools have growing deficits. Big-time sports schools such as the University of Michigan or Ohio State may make millions from their football teams and basketball teams, but for every Michigan there is a Middle Tennessee State or a Florida International, whose football team posted a record of 0-12 this year. There are many football and basketball teams that do not sell out their arenas or receive lucrative television or radio contracts, and paying their athletes would be a significant burden. Even a small stipend for all athletes would add to these growing financial deficits."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "BCS Bowl Facts" (2006). Retrieved Dec. 14, 2006 from the Web site for the Bowl Championship Series at http://www.bcsfootball.org/bcsfb/facts.
• Dopirak, Dustin (2004). "Debate rages over paying college athletes." The Daily Collegian, Feb. 17. Retrieved Dec. 14, 2006 from the Web site for Penn State University at http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2004/02/02-17-04tdc/02-17-04dsports-07.asp
• "The Sweet Sixteen Diversity Report" (2004). The Black Athlete, March 28. Retrieved Dec. 14, 2006 from the Web site for The Black Athlete at http://www.blackathlete.com/Collegesports/032804.shtml.
• Whiteside, Kelly (2004). "College athletes want cut of action." USA Today, Aug. 31. Retrieved Dec. 13, 2006 from the Web site for USA Today at http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2004-08-31-top-ten-number-7_x.htm.

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