Should Students Receive Athletic Scholarships?

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People have argued for decades about whether or not colleges and universities should pay students who receive athletic scholarships, and unfortunately, this seems like a discussion that has no easy solution. On the one hand, student-athletes are working a very demanding full-time job that allows few opportunities to socialize and relax, while also going to school full-time. For this reason, some argue that a pay-the-player or a pay-for-play system is a logical and ethical decision that colleges and universities should employ. However, one must consider that most people do not go to colleges and universities hoping to earn a paycheck for their performance along with the added notoriety associated with being a player on one of their college’s or university’s athletic teams. For most people who attend colleges and universities, their desire is a simple one. Most wish to advance their education so they can receive a degree and work in an enjoyable field. Ergo, student-athletes do not need compensation because they are awarded the privilege to play on their college’s or university’s sports team.
Though, not everyone agrees that people choose to attend colleges and universities just to earn a degree. Some argue that student-athletes attend college only to play the sport they enjoy and receive a salary. Paul Marx claims in his article Athletes New Day, that many people are concerned about inadequate compensation after incurring injuries such as concussions, and other injuries that could potentially cause lifelong disabilities (474). Additionally, Marx claims that by today’s standards, student-athletes have limited time, and interest in school work because they are exhausted after a full work week of games, practices, meetings, training,...

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...ally disadvantaged student-athletes and other student-athletes who did not have the means or motivation to attend college would skip it entirely. Additionally, people who earn scholarships for merit are not asking for compensation for their long hours in the school library or other areas of quiet refuge. Furthermore, one can also assert that athletes are not the only students who go to school full-time and work full-time jobs. In fact, some of these hardworking students also have the added responsibility of raising a family. Regardless, student-athletes are receiving an advanced education at universities and colleges that thousands of Americans, just cannot attend (Murphy). Therefore, earning a college degree and the chance to perform in a sport that one loves, while earning that degree is a privilege, and student-athletes should not be paid to play on a sports team.

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