The debate regarding the possibility of paying student-athletes for their engagement in intercollegiate sport brought up a very interesting issue: is it right for colleges and universities to give up on their academic mission in order to gain visibility through NCAA tournaments? Since roughly 2% of the student-athletes will make it as professionals, my opinion is that the remaining 98% are robbed of their future. Young athletes are so deceived by the dream of fame and fortune that they cannot see the real value of a scholarship: to have a choice in case something does not go the way they planned.
The question now is if this problem can be solved changing the American model of intercollegiate sport, maybe introducing the European club model, where school and sport are separate entities, and apparently athletes have a greater control over their lives. Unluckily the answer is no, in fact a 2010 research conducted on Italian juvenile soccer teams shows that 95% of the players born on 1992 held back or abandoned their studies, and 12% changed their major; the conference which was held on this topic was titled “Juvenile soccer: a chance for social growth or a factory of future outcasts?”, and it looks like the latter is the answer since even Italian soccer shows discouraging figures: 1 athlete every 35.000 makes it as a professional.
The real problem, according to the organization that scheduled the event, is that there is no dialogue between school and sport clubs, and this is true also in the American intercollegiate sports. A better understanding of a student-athlete’s needs from the school’s faculty and a bigger effort from the players to keep up with the studies may be a first step in the right direction, but are coaches ready to hold out professor’s hand?
Federico Barone
KIN 577
The issue of student-athlete compensation is a subject that most may never agree on. It becomes such a “slippery slope” when payment for athletic accomplishment becomes a greater factor than a traditional scholarship. My experience as a collegiate volleyball player was slightly different because our league was regulated through the NAIA. Concordia University did not award full scholarship to athletes. Our coach was always very fair with rewarding outstanding performance and hard work with increased scholarship at the end of each year. I could have attended a D1 or larger university that offers full scholarship, but I loved the school and my education among other aspects played a role in my decision. Many athletes choose a school based solely on athletics. I knew that a fractured bone or sprained ankle could end it all and if I was not playing a sport, would I be satisfied with my decision?
ReplyDeleteFrederico brings up some great issues regarding the European club model. I have experience with this as I traveled overseas to play volleyball in Europe. The club model has definite advantages, but I feel that being a student-athlete at a university prepares you to be a well rounded athlete and student.
Most student-athletes in America attend college right out of high school and are very similar in age. In my experience, coaches set one practice time and athletes must schedule classes accordingly. Most conflicting schedules can be worked out. Each sport team will provide tutors or the necessary help to ensure the student-athletes succeed. Scholarships are rewarded based on athletic ability, but education plays a huge part in eligibility.
With the European club model, education and athletics are kept separate. This allows for varying age groups to compete together. On a club volleyball team, there may be ages varying from 13-30 years old. Many coaches will not be as understanding to a player’s educational commitments because they are paying you as a professional athlete to compete. My coach in Sinsheim, Germany was a former German National Team coach, he was very intense and our rigorous practice schedule consisted of double days for the first 2 months. What time does that leave for the player’s studies? Yes, you are receiving compensation but you are also signing a contract as a professional. Therefore, you must comply by their rules.
The reason why the question of athlete compensation is so difficult is because it is so unique to each individual. As an athlete, I know I have a short athletic lifespan. I would like to think I will go on and continue to play professionally while receiving a salary, but is it realistic? I would have like to been compensated for my athletic achievements in college, but I am grateful to have received a scholarship to pay for my education.
Stephanie Scheele KIN 577