Every athlete dreams of making it to the big leagues. That dream still remains to be the reason they give every ounce of drive and dedication to their sport. Many use the collegiate pathway as a stepping stone to get drafted into the big leagues. In exchange for their exceptional athletic abilities and unsolicited commitment to their respective sport, colleges offer an educational scholarship. These scholarships do not always cover the full amount of tuition, lodging, nutritional needs of the athletes, or any additional expenses. Leaving the players struggling to find resources while complying with the limitations placed upon them through the schools specific rules, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules and regulations. …show more content…
In Cheated: The UNC Scandal, the Education of Athletes, and the Future of Big-Time College Sports, Jay Smith and Mary Willingham states, “the current model, the one that posits the exchange of education for play, requires a major overhaul if it is to stand as the alternative to professionalism in college athletics” (12). The reality is that college sports have become big business with the peripheral counterparts making the money. The student-athletes deserve to organize and demand to be paid for their efforts, often risking their own health and safety. The argument of not having enough money simply cannot hold weight. Suggested avenues such as allowing student-athletes to capitalize on self-promotion, cutting travel expenses, and cutting salaries would generate millions of dollars. For a team of one hundred players, two million dollars would amount to a monthly compensation of over $1600 per player. That should cover a car payment and some food. Right? The days of playing for peanuts needs to end, and it needs to end now. The only way to make it happen is band together with fellow students, family, and educators and force the governing bodies to make changes. After all, there is no game or money without the