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
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
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