As mentioned in previous blogs, there has been a surge of attention directed towards the toxicities that are plaguing the world of college athletics. Athletic conferences and institutions have responded by engaging in conversations and meetings to share ideas and beliefs about what can be done to halt the increase in infractions and wrongdoing on the part of student athletes, coaches, and institutions.
Mr. Brad Wolverton, in an article in The Chronicle of Higher Education, highlights multiple ideas that have surfaced as potential solutions to the many issues present within college athletics. One solution that has received an enormous amount of attention through various media sources is the idea of paying student-athletes to compete in their chosen sport. Wolverton indicates that institutions and conferences are tossing around the idea of offering student athletes an extra $2000 per year in institutional aid. He reports that NCAA president, Mark A. Emmert, supports the idea of offering athletes more money to cover travel and other incidentals. However, it is highlighted that on average student athletes fall short of covering their yearly college expenses by $4000. Additionally, athletes who are on partial scholarships would benefit by receiving funds at a prorated amount.
The article reports that those who have been granted the monumental task of solving the multitude of issues present in college athletics know that offering athletes additional aid is not the ultimate solution. However, they trust that it is "the right thing to do" and may help to send the message that institutions are attempting to make things right.
Another idea that has been formulated is offering student athletes multiyear aid agreements. As it currently stands, colleges are allowed to offer student athletes one-year renewable awards. It is common practice for coaches to meet with athletes at the end of each physical year to determine if they will, in fact, receive funding for the upcoming year. If players aren't meeting expectations on the playing field or in the classroom they run the risk of having their aid significantly reduced or completely taken away.
From what I have read in previous posts, being a fan, and a former college athlete I'm not convinced that the ideas mentioned in this article will have any impact on college athletics. I'm confident that offering student athletes an additional $2000 per year will be much appreciated on behalf of these athletes. However, I don't believe this solution will keep those student athletes who are making an abundance of money from selling their memorabilia from doing so. It is no secret that larger institutions make millions of dollars off of marketing their student athletes. I worry that athletes will view the offer of a few thousand dollars as a "smack in the face" rather than a symbol of gratitude on behalf of university officials.
In my experience, it is extremely difficult for an athlete who is meeting the minimum GPA requirements to lose his/her scholarship. Many coaches will give the athlete every available opportunity to keep their funding before deciding to pull the plug. After all, it doesn't benefit team camaraderie or the institutions numbers if student athletes are forced to leave campus. So will offering multiyear aid agreements help to encourage support, cooperation, and positive behavior from athletes? I wouldn't hold my breath. However, anything is worth a shot in this day and time.
It is interesting to read an update on the progress of addressing the wrongdoing of athletes, coaches, etc. by way of paying them. Although the solutions do not include truly paying the athlete, it is interesting to see additional aid (in my option a form of pay) is a top option.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading the blog I was in agreement with much of it, with the idea that the solutions being tossed around would be somewhat helpful. But you bring forth a good point...will this really help improve behavior and compliance with NCAA regulations. It is hard to say but I am hopeful that the attention the topic is receiving will move programs to adhere to regulations. As you say however, maybe I should not hold my breath.