Have we ever imagined of an incident where, college students refuse to play and protests for payments during the competition day? This means that, there will be no games for the fans to watch and cheer, and the university or college will earn nothing and have a loss for arranging the games. Should college athletes be paid is a question that is being discussed around many colleges in the US. It has become a controversial topic because it has a number of pros and cons. There are many questions that have been raised from the above topic. Should colleges pocket all the money athletes earn for them? Should college athletes earn a salary even after being a scholarship? These are questions many colleges and universities in the United States are trying to answer as the topic is being debated upon. Therefore, the issue of paying should be discussed at length with all the parties being put into consideration. Paying college students to play is vital because, it promotes competition and hard work among athletes.
Some colleges offer free education to athletes through scholarships and this makes them argue that the athletes should not be paid. In addition, they feel that the free scholarship given to them is enough payment for the college athletes as they will get access to book for free. Nonetheless, this argument is refutable because, the college athletes generate a lot of income to the institutions which can carter for their education as well as for their allowances. Colleges owe the athletes more than a scholarship because they earn more from their services (Morrissey, (2011). It is unfair for colleges to earn a lot of income from athletes and fail to share the earnings with them.
Even though many bodies argue that they want to protect college athletes from being influenced by money like professional athletes, it is important to reward them for their hard work. It is true that college athletes have not reached the professional level; they should be allowed some allowances because they put effort in their work, just like professional players. According to Staurowsky in his article, Should college athletes get paid? Is the wrong question, to college students, it is a job to work out and become the best athletes, and so, their hard work should not be compromised or assumed (Staurowsky, 2011). The college athletes should be given some few dollars in order to motivate them and also help in their maintenance. Moreover, this allowance could help cover their personal expenses the colleges do not cover in the scholarship.
Some people argue that, college students should not be paid because; they do not need compensation for using their skills for the profit of the University. In addition, they argue that, the scholarship given to them is enough, since education is a great gift to all students. However, Staurowsky argues that, education alone is not important because, these scholarships do not cover for all the needs of the students (2011). Therefore, they should be given some allowance for their upkeep and for their personal expenses which the colleges cannot provide. Many college students struggle to get money to by things that are not provided in the scholarships, because scholarships only cater for tuition, room, fees, textbooks and board. Even though most athletes take scholarships because their families are unable to pay for their college fee, it is clear that, their families cannot provide the other things, they need. Therefore, it is vital they get some salary in order to carter for their needs as well as support their families when in need (Staurowsky, 2011). With a salary, the athletes will be able to have some entertainment like going for movies, buying their personal clothes and other things they need, in addition to helping their siblings in any way they can, even paying for their education. If the college athletes are denied a salary, they end up living a miserable life in college and they mostly depend on their friends for support.
In his article, Time to pay college athletes, Morrissey notes that, colleges should make a system whereby, both the athlete and the college benefits or rather prospers (Morrissey, (2011). College students are entitled to a payment because; they are just human like other students. If colleges deny them a payment, they are putting them at a disadvantage because; they are not able to live a full life like the rest of the students. Moreover, this will compromise their college education because they will feel degraded as they will live on borrowing the other students and this might make them drop out of school. In addition, some of them might even refuse to play during the day of competition and this will affect the colleges. Colleges should start considering the needs of college athletes and stop arguing that the system is right by giving by a scholarship.
According to a research I have done on this topic, many colleges argue that, against paying college students will be unfair to other students because they will feel the paid students are superior to them. In addition, already college athletes have everything provided to them by the college and it is a distinct advantage to their peers, therefore, the disparity should not be to be elongated. However, it is clear that, the college athletes deserve all the privileges in addition to being paid because, they work more extra that their peers. In addition, when these athletes are out training or for competitions, the other students are in class studying meaning they loose a lot while earning the school a reputation and they deserve to be rewarded. Moreover, most college athletes take illegal payments from other teams so as to allow them win. However, if they are paid, they will not accept illegal payment because; at least they will have some money to spend.
In conclusion, paying college students has become a controversial issue in most universities in the United States. Most people ask why college students should be paid yet they receive a scholarship. College athletes make a lot of money for colleges and therefore, their need should be considered too. Therefore, it cannot hurt if these colleges give some back to the hard workers and that is exactly what colleges should do to college students by rewarding them for their hard work. College sports and athletics will remain a big time money maker for many colleges and universities. Therefore, colleges should take an initiative to take good care of their athletes by paying for their services in order to retain them. College athletes have a right to earn from their hard work, therefore, college athletes should be paid. Many college players are not just “players,” many of them are already celebrities and they should be treated in such a manner. College athletes should be allowed to earn an income just like any other individual who works because they are working. Failing to give athletes an opportunity to earn from their hard work is unfair to them, yet they are entitled to an income just like any other individual who works and proceeds are generated.
Athletes make their colleges popular thus attracting more students, therefore, if they are not paid, it is unfair. In addition, it is like not paying an advertising agency for promoting your school or your products. In essence, it is vital to give credit where it is due because, by denying them a salary, it is like withholding earnings from someone who has given you an income. College students should be paid both for their accomplishments and hard work because they deserve it. In addition, they should be paid because they make a lot of money for their universities and colleges.
References
Morrissey, R. (2011). Time to pay college athletes. Retrieved from http://www.suntimes.com/sports/morrissey/7286394-452/time-to-pay-college-athletes.html
Cohen, B. (2011). The case for paying college athletes. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904060604576572752351110850.html
Staurowsky, E. (2011). Should college athletes get paid? Is the wrong question. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2011/09/should-college-athletes-get-paid-is-the-wrong-question/245312/
