Athletic programs at many colleges and universities are inconsistent with the school`s mission statements. The term "student-athlete" basically means that they are students first, and then athletes. We have reached a point here it can be argued that they are instead more athlete-students. Regardless of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules and regulations that stipulate that they are not allowed to, some student-athletes still receive preferential treatment and extra benefits while in college. Some recruited athletes are not prepared for the cascade of academic college work along with the additional demands that NCAA athletics require. The athletic pressures that accompany NCAA athletic scholarship can leave the unprepared student athlete with little time for academics. With collegiate athletics becoming a big business the rules associated with how we treat the student athlete must change. It is not unreasonable to suggest that is the business of college athletics changes then the way we treat the student athlete must change as well. Something needs to change in the way the NCAA conducts its business. Considering the large amount of revenue that is, and for the foreseeable future will be, generated each year in this industry, it is only fair that some sort of a stipend system be put in place to compensate student athletes. Athletic programs at many colleges and universities are inconsistent with the school`s academic missions. The focus on maintaining a strong athletic program has taken precedence over the scholastic quality of the student-athlete that is accepted into the institution. For the student-athlete this can mean lowered academic admissions standards and preferential treatment in school. On the other hand, many student-athletes are attending college but not learning, and are being overworked and undercompensated (Ting 2009). Overall the issue here is about the big business that intercollegiate athletics has become versus the academic missions of the colleges and universities. The term "student-athlete" implies that the individuals should be students first, and then athletes. We have reached a point where it can be argued that they are instead more athlete-students.
© Copyright 2012 The Sport Journal. U.S. Sports Academy. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.