The debate whether or not college athletes should be paid or not is nothing new.   In fact, watching the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and the athlete's time, work and commitment really brings the question to light. An athlete's journey starts at a very young age with the introduction to sports and the time and commitment to excel in a chosen sport. While I respect the dedication, I believe they should not be paid, but I do think they should be acknowledged. I respect the time, effort and commitment on behalf of the college football athlete, but they should not be paid.

Sports play an important factor in youth life. Youth sports teach balance, social skills and the beginning of dreams of something bigger. Having children involved in sports get them to communicate with others along with getting daily exercise, but ultimately the team sports are most children's fantasy as many dream of growing to be a professional athlete. At the elementary school age, all children are included allowing everyone to be included and have a sense of worthiness.  It also creates a level playing field and allows the children to be exposed to all sports and learn what they enjoy. In middle school, sports become more competitive within school and outside of school. It's a time for children to figure out where they excel. Most have decided to focus specifically on one or two sports they have a passion for, but continue participation in many for the social aspect.  Once high school comes around, the focus is generally down to one specific sport and they begin to eliminate participation in other sports.   

Sports play a bigger role in high school student's lives.  The good ones begin to excel and be identified, college scouting begins and players begin to make a college choice based on their ability to succeed and ultimately be noticed by the professional outfits of their chosen sport.   The competitiveness of each sport increases as the athletes work to show their best for recruitment. 

All these actions lead to a whole new level, college sports.  College football is one sport where these trends are very visible.  College football is a very popular route for many boys as it's an opportunity to experience comradery at a level many don't get to experience, great opportunity for next level of professionalism, and of course, can be helpful in helping with a large college debt.  As a boy becomes a man in college and the level of play increases, so does the argument about college athletes being paid.  The debate whether college athletes should be paid or not is not a new argument.  College ball is very competitive, requires a lot of time and skills that not all possess.  In fact, watching college level football games on television, seeing the amount of people in attendance and the revenue generated by ticket sales and concession stand sales, not to mention the advertising paid by companies to air commercials during the games all fuel the argument if athletes should be paid. Though both sides offer valid arguments, I believe college athletes should not be paid. While I respect the time, effort and commitment on behalf of the athlete, they should not be paid, but should be supported/compensated in other ways.  

Most of the top college athletes, no matter what the sport, receive athletic scholarships.   A free education in exchange for their hard work, their time, their commitment to the sport and the college and the excitement it brings to the University.   "Almost 71% of bachelor's degree recipients will graduate with a student loan, compared with less than half two decades ago and about 64% 10 years ago". The average class of 2015 graduate with student-loan debt will have to pay back a little more than $35,000, according to an analysis of government data by Mark Kantrowitz, publisher at Edvisors, a group of websites about planning and paying for college. (How Long Does It Take to Pay Off College Loans) Top college athletes often receive a free education and therefore don't have loans or the pressure associated with paying them off.   In other words, they are compensated for their role as an athlete for the University.  In addition, most receive money to cover their cost of living on campus, meals and textbooks.   Some would argue that it is not fair, but consider the top student in most any college programs also receive a scholarship as do students with top ACT or GPAs.   It is an acknowledgement of their efforts and their skill as an athlete or as an academic.

As a non-athlete is required to maintain a certain GPA for their scholarship, an athlete also has demands. Athletes are required to attend workouts up to two times a day. Practices occur early morning before classes and also in the afternoon when classes are over. On top of those practices they are required to attend off-season workouts making them year round athletes. Along with being yearlong workouts include being at school during the summer time and attending study halls throughout the entire year.   Non-athletes are at times required to study abroad or study ridiculous number of hours to be the top of their class to get the better paying jobs or to gain knowledge to change the world.  Does it make sense that a college athlete should make more money than a non-athlete simply because their athletic program brings the college more prestige?

Paying athletes leads to another problem.   Should athletes of one sport be paid more than another?  Should it be based on the revenue the sport brings the university?  Should football players be paid more than basketball and basketball more than golf?  Should Jordan Spieth have been payed less even though now he is the number one golf player in the US and bringing the PGA a large amount of money?  If so, that certainly seems unfair.   Don't all athletes work hard and should be rewarded equally?

Non-athletes are not rewarded or compensated when they have to complete internships for their degrees.   If we pay athletes, then I believe we should be pay non-athletes as they potentially change the world or make in impact.   If a universities student created something in the world that ultimately changed it, should the university pay them back pay?   In addition, what about the staff it takes to support the athlete, should they be paid during their time in college.  The agent that supports the player or the recruiter that recruited the player in the first place makes a difference for the athlete.  There are non-athletes that help make the athlete successful and I would argue that they, the non-athletes, would need to be paid as well.

The debate whether or not college athletes should be paid will most likely continue.  I believe paying the athletes will create a crisis in the US. It stems back to the controversy of no pass on play. With such a low percent of athletes graduating at many major universities across the nation, I don't believe this is a movement that will ever gain much traction. Athletes work hard and I'm glad they are compensated through athletic scholarships and support with textbooks and campus living. I respect the time, effort and commitment on behalf of the athlete and equally respect the time, effort and commitment of the non-athlete.    

One thing people confuse is a university football program and a job. College athletes are still students just like everyone else. There are administrators who hirer the coaches, and coaches that go to school get a degree and hold a job to teach these young men the subject of football, just like other teachers for different subjects. There is no reason for athletes to be paid just as others workers do such as people with a degreed job. These students just as others are in school for their degree for their chance at a future and pay just as their peers.

On thing with society today is is  that nothing is enough. For example college football athletes get beyond any student that does not play, along with promotions and publicity. That is offers any person could wish such as an academic scientist getting recognized for her experiments or a musically inclined person. Rather the spotlight is narrowed to the sports video games, ESPN television channels, and announcements on the radio. As these boys should be thrilled at the fact they are getting free publicity that could further them in the sports world, they are looking at what they consider the negatives such as not getting paid now, which is no way to travel through life. 

