It's kind of like arguing for the legalization of drugs. Sure, there are people who say it'd be a good idea, but they're mostly just crackheads.
The most promising argument that proponents of paying college athletes have is the fact that those athletes generate so many millions of dollars for the schools they attend. Agreed.
That, and they're able to point out that not allowing for salaries results in temptations for athletes to take bribes, presents, favors, etc.
Well, I'm going to prove college paychecks are a bad idea on a theoretical level...or I'll probably get my stuff handed to me in this debate.
Hah. Not bloody likely.
It's seemingly true that, with NCAA regulations as they are, college athletes are tempted to take bribes, especially under the circumstances that those with scholarships are generally not allowed to work. This is a reality that is changing, I might add, through rules like the NCAA's Proposition 62, which is geared to allow scholarship athletes to be able to work.
It's not in effect yet, but I do believe it's a step in the right direction.
That "right direction," however, involves allowing athletes to be able to earn money outside their roles on the court or the field-not to be paid for their roles as athletes.
Case in point: No one can argue that there's less talent to be showcased in professional athletics, as compared to the NCAA.
But you'll never be hard-pressed to find someone who thinks there's more integrity, more passion and more fun in college sports.
You know why that's the case? Yeah, because the paycheck is squat.
College athletes don't play college sports to get paid. They do it for the same reason Gregory the Geek is in the chess club.
Not only that, but Gregory isn't getting any scholastic compensation, in the form of a scholarship, to play chess.
Yeah, Gregory can work at McDonald's, but like I said, things are changing for college athletes.
On top of that, those athletes who make a name for themselves in college can take a dive into the professional world where they'll get compensated plenty.
Those that don't make it have a question to ask themselves: Is it worth it?
If it isn't, they wouldn't be there. Gregory knows. His memories of those close, heart-pounding games of chess are enough to last a lifetime, even if he hasn't earned a dime for them.
Besides, if it's established somehow that college athletic integrity is diminished if salaries are allowed, then it doesn't matter that some are susceptible to bribes.
Just because athletes have their morals tested doesn't put them in a tougher place than the rest of us. They made the choice to play, and you gotta play by the rules.
In fact, being in the light as they are, athletes are forced to a higher moral standard than others. Thus the reason Paris Warren is having a hard time with the condoms issue-no pun intended.
It's not OK to lie to the Supreme Court, either. Period. I don't care what you think. It's called perjury, and it doesn't matter that Bill Clinton is on your side.
Nonetheless, athletes are undoubtedly the result of millions in revenue.
But the main objective of each and every college or university, not only in this country the but free world as a whole, is a focus on quality education.
A good football team helps...a lot, albeit. But it can't replace education.
Trust me on this. Harvard is not going to trade its educational standards for the University of Miami's offensive line.
The point is, the revenue college athletes help bring in maintains the school's athletic necessities, as well as increases a school's educational standards.
That's the philosophy behind developing good athletic programs. Make them good, bring in the fans and take in the money. Then, use the money to develop a better school than you currently have.
Generally, universities don't pay students to attend. Students pay to learn. But those who are exceptional, or offer something that's missing in the makeup of the school, are offered compensation in the form of financial aid and scholarships.
Same with athletics.
I can understand that even after a full ride, with housing and food, you might not have extra change to buy some of the stuff you want.
But come on, there's got to be a better way to get a hold of a pack of condoms.
ahasnain@chronicle.utah.edu
