Ohio State, Tennessee, USC, and now the University of Miami have all been rocked by scandals involving student-athletes this past year. These dirty deeds have led some to ask the question, should college athletes be paid? Although NSU may not have the big-time athletic program like the aforementioned schools, NSU still follows NCAA rules and regulations, therefore this issue does concern this campus.
However, the topic is one being talked about across the nation. Those in favor of it believe it can eliminate the temptation of student-athletes receiving improper benefits. But, Peter Finley, Ph.D., assistant professor of sports management, does not believe that to be true.
“This is wishful thinking. If you normalize payment to players, you can only expect them to more actively seek the highest bidders,” he said. “Giving players some spending money would do nothing to address the culture of entitlement that causes these scandals.”
Finley said by paying star football and basketball players, colleges would have to cut other sports just to afford it.
“While football and men’s basketball generate enormous revenue, most college athletic departments lose money year after year. So, to pay players they would have to make cuts. They can’t touch women’s sports, due to Title IX, so you would see sports like men’s golf, soccer, tennis, and track and field get decimated,” he said.
Ann Walker, associate athletic director for compliance and senior woman administrator, also doesn’t believe student-athletes should be paid.
“Ultimately, I don’t think college athletes should be paid. In essence, they’re getting paid; they’re getting scholarships [and] a free education. If you really want to break it down, they are getting paid. They’re getting money to get their education,” she said.
However, Walker doesn’t think the NCAA can do any more to prevent these scandals from happening. She acknowledges the fact that it is an extremely difficult process, but it has to be done through a collective effort.
“I think it has got to be a team effort; administration, coaches, [and the] support staffs [who] keep their eyes and ears open for anything out of the ordinary,” she said.
Senior cross-country runner, Agustin Rey, is against student-athletes getting paid as well.
“Some schools cost $40,000 to $60,000 a year, if they get that much in scholarship, that’s pretty good. [If they want to get paid] they can just go pro,” said Rey.
