College athletes are getting free education and free training, not the same as your olympian scenario.

 

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I honestly do not care, it does not matter until the NFL anyway.

 

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I'm totally bemused by your stance. Education takes time. Training takes time. Personal training on the athlete's own time happens as well...

... but they can ... support themselves with jobs, whereas it knocks students out WITHOUT athletics?

I am in the side that they are already compensated with an education, room, and food on campus. That is enough for their undergrad tenure. MANY of these people would not be in college if not for their athletic skills so I think they're already comped a lot.

They can get jobs but that's just about impossible during spring, fall, and winter. I know for a fact that some from Michigan State have worked as movers, painters, and even bar bouncers over the summer months but you better believe that their salaries are tracked. Ohio state just got dinged for some kid making like a hundred bucks or something like that over what he was supposed to.

@jelly! Yes, but your academic science fairs do not bring in all the dough ray me like they do!

 

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If you are a student athlete you are being afforded a free education, free meals, free housing, free use of athletic facilities, free world class training, free world class coaching. If you want more than that you have to get a job. I understand you dont feel that way Machin but I am not in favor of paying any of my tax dollars for anything else. If they want extra spending money they can get jobs.

 

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Professional sports players get coaching and training, it is done FOR the team's success and is irrelevant in this equation. It also has no value on its own, and useless outside the scope of the game. If they even are good enough to go pro, if they get injured that coaching/training will be of no value.

Yes, they get scholarships. But at schools with profitable programs they are earning their college tons of money under the terms of that scholarship. It is a unique situation in that regard.

College football is a billion dollar business, there is nothing saying even 1$ of your taxes would have to be used in reforming the system.

 

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Do we want to pay all "student athletes" or just the elite athletes?


There is one type of compensation that is never discussed by the athletes or the media talking heads. Namely, the contacts that elite athletes make at elite schools that can jumpstart their post college career.


Think about Matt Barkley. He could suffer a career ending injury in his first game next year and he would still be set for life.


He has already endeared himself with every powertful USC alumni in america. His name and status at USC can open doors that most students could never even dream of.


These high caliber players have access that is not available to regular students. I can only guess how many job offers guys like Luck, Barkley or RG3 would receive if they got hurt prior to turning pro.

Again, 90% of college sports programs make NO money, none, nadda, zero, zippo.


Just like any student, college athletes are going to school to further their careers, thats what they get in return. If they want to be paid they can get jobs. Medical doctors go to school for 8-12 years, dont get paid squat for college or their internships, and contribute vastly more than athletes.

 

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The administrators and the coaching staff are getting paid in the millions off the football and basketball programs. Many athletes end up with debilitating injuries to make those administrators and coaches dreams come true.