Athletic Scholarship Benefits

Universities need the athletic program just as much as athletes need the athletic program. Although colleges benefit more from the relationship, the only route for athletes is through the university. By having college sports, a university is able to market the athletic department as a reason to come as well as a make a profit from the department. On the other hand, athletes have the chance to study and broaden their knowledge; practice and play against the best athletes; access to the best coaches and equipment; as well as the ability to make a name for his or herself. If an athlete truly desires to take his or her career to the next level, the athlete needs a university; therefore, the exchange of playing for free tuition is an equal one. …show more content…
While people like Miles Brand, the head of the NCAA like to show donors the student athletes receive the best of both worlds, an athletic scholarship and an opportunity to play college sports, athletes say that’s far from the truth. Athletes say they have to choose to focus on their education or their sport. Often times, if an athlete places too much importance on their education, they risk losing their academic scholarship. The all or nothing commitment of sports needs to change. When it comes to the topic of sports and college, most of us will readily agree that sports and college have an important relationship. Where this agreement usually ends however is on the question of whether the relationship is positive of negative. Where some are convinced that the sports are either good or bad for the college experience, I believe that reforms to the current system can improve the relationship. Toma also agrees that sports and college have a positive relationship, but he also suggests reforms in order to appease NCAA critics and better the experience for …show more content…
To do so, universities must stop hosting games during the week in order to have their games broadcasted by ESPN. Universities know that the athletes have classes and missing class hinders their grade. However, the broadcasting of athletic competition increases the visibility and fan base of a school. Therefore, the decrease would lead to a decrease in revenue. The decrease in visibility will prevent an athlete in continuing to the next level, thus playing during the week helps athlete’s athletic career. However, Gerdy misconstrued the idea, but “working too hard to generate revenue somehow taints the purity of college sports”(Gerdy). Focusing on revenue makes college sports more of a business rather than an addition to college. Also, practice times must decrease in order increase the possibilities for student athletes. Athletes are on ground to play sports, but they are also there to get an education. Therefore, studying towards a degree should be easier. Athletes have to choose classes around their practice schedule and are limited to a small list of majors. These students are suppose to have an opportunity to continue their education, so they should not be limited in what they can major in. Plus, many athletes do not make it to the pro leagues, so they only have their degree at the end of their time. The athletics program requires that athletes place