The growing controversy between NCAA regulations and college athletes being compensated for their contribution to athletic programs is no secret and hasn’t been for years. Just recently, however, someone opened the dumpster and the world is begging to smell the results of what has festered.
The Johnny Manziel scandal was exactly what the athletic community needed to shed some light on the NCAA guidelines, which prohibits any athlete from accepting gifts, contributions or basically anything with a price on it. The NCAA’s response has always been that if players are allowed to leisurely accept gifts such as even small amounts of money, it would create a platform for recruiting.
The big fish schools, as the story goes, would then devour the picking field, recruiting all the top players, leaving very little portions for smaller schools to work with. This obviously would result in domination over smaller athletic programs and create what we call “an uneven playing field.”
Another part of the argument is that college players not being paid for their participation gives them a rookie identity. If a player is being paid then they are considered a professional and should then move on to making a career from it. This creates friction for the amateur status needed in college level sports.
With that said, schools still continue to reap large profits off of their athletes. If the tickets to the game weren’t enough, we’ve definitely seen tremendous profits expand from items, everything from logos on sweatshirts, to branded sunglasses and key chains. It’s clearly an epic transition from marketing to branding a legacy. Colleges bring in remarkable amounts of revenue from apparel alone. Players train for hours, wear the jerseys and win the games, but never taste a significant portion of this money pie.
Instead, they are given scholarships which some say is payment. Room and board doesn’t even amount to a small percentage of how much schools profit from the athletic programs and their fans. Basically, schools have the resources but refuse to accommodate.
For the issue to be resolved, it is clear there must first be a compromise. Perhaps if NCAA would allow colleges to consider granting each player a small amount of gratitude at the end of each season there wouldn’t be any room for such a controversy. Yet, neither side seems to be backing down anytime soon, so it may be a slow turn for this ship.
Overall, the crowds against the NCAA regulations continue to accumulate all over the nation and are sure to create future stirs. Players are beginning to speak out and recognize the exploitation of their gifts. Regardless of the outcome, NCAA needs to handle its business.
Fall 2013 Sports
Ping-pong– Open-Gym for Basketball, and Foosball are offered daily.
Flag Football– Practices begin Monday September 2nd and continue throughout the semester on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-8pm at the ISB Recreation Field
Soccer– Practices begin Tuesday September 3rd and continue throughout the semester on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 on the ISB rec field
Tennis– TBA, Wednesdays and Fridays on the ISB Tennis courts from 4-6pm.
Basketball– Skills Challenge Tournament Thursday September 26th, 12pm. Download the rules HERE 3 Point Shot ContestWednesday October 30th, 12pm
Regular Open Gym Schedule– Monday-Friday – 11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m. – Lemerand Center Gym
For more information on daily scheduled events or to sign up for an event or team, please call:Lori Lemoine at 386-506-3486 or Steven Pruitt at 386- 506-3366