Should American student athletes be paid? One side of the argument is the acceptance of pay for student athletes representing their school. This is opinion is valid because athletics brings in excess revenue for the universities, they are dedicated and sp

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The topic of whether or not student athletes should be paid or not paid has been a trending topic in the sport industry. One side of the argument is the acceptance of pay for student athletes representing their school. This is opinion is valid because athletics brings in excess revenue for the universities, they are dedicated and spend numerous hours at practice and on the playing field, and mostly because they are providing a service to the school. Others have the opposite opinion and believe that student athletes should not be receiving other payment because most are already receiving college tuition. As a result, they are students first and athletes second so they should not be paid for their involvement on a collegiate athletics. “Athletes attend college as a privilege and are provided the unique opportunity to earn a degree and at the same time compete in intercollegiate athletics. That opportunity is incongruent with the notion of being an employee" (Cooper, 2011). Colleges and universities need to keep in mind that the student athletes’ main reason for attending is for an education, not to play a varsity sport. They are still held to the same standards as a student who is not participating in a sport, therefore should be treated the same and should not receive secondary payment for their commitment to the college or university. In the end, their commitment to the athletic department should not be validated through compensation for student athletes. 

There are many other forms of rewards that are already given to student athletes therefore they should not be paid to play. First and foremost form of compensation for student athletes is a full paid for college tuition which is a very high price that many other students are forced to pay even though both students and student athletes are receiving the same education. 

“When athletes accept scholarships, they are provided tuition, books, meals, housing, and sometimes graduate assistantships. At some colleges and universities, such support may reach a value of $200,000 over a four-year period. Student-athletes may also receive special treatment when it comes to academic issues, for example priority scheduling, tutoring assistance, and excused absences. Aren’t student-athletes, then, well-compensated already” (Sturgill, 2010).

Since athletes are already receiving such better treatments as listed above it is not right for them to be double compensated. 

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These athletes have to remember that they are here for education first and that this is not their jobs no matter what their coaches tell them. “You don't give young people what they want. You give them what they need. College athletes don't need money. They need additional opportunities to educate themselves. They need a deeper understanding of why it's important to be educated” (Whitlock, 2005). They should be more worried about their academic status rather than what they should be paid and what they are worth to the school they are attending. If more money was invested into helping these student athletes become more educated it ...

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