College Athletics

College athletics refers to sports that are sanctioned by colleges or universities. In the United States there are two organizations that regulate college sports: the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. College athletics are very popular in America and comparable to professional sports in terms of television ratings and media coverage. But what controversies are involved in college athletics?

Controversies Of College Athletics

There has been some controversy regarding college athletics and academics. It is a common practice to allow college athletes into a college they otherwise would not qualify for, based on only their athletic performance. This is particularly so in the sports of football and basketball. Even when a student is admitted into college, the academic courses are said to be lacking in academic depth, perhaps even with fake or substandard degrees and majors. There have also been investigations uncovering ghostwritten academic work by athletes, preferential treatment given to athletes for illegal behavior, nepotism and booster clubs, and light college schedules that stretch out the fulfillment of academic requirements over four years.

Should College Athletes Get Paid?

Another point of controversy is in college athletics and money. College athletes are not paid for their efforts even though college sports generates millions of dollars in profit. Many publications have offered the opinion that college athletes should be paid a salary or at least be allowed to take part in some sort of revenue-generating plan based on the total profits. Should college athletes be paid? On one hand, it does seem unfair that athletes are putting their lives on the line and taking the same risks as professional players. However, they only have fame to enjoy while their mentors and owners get rich off their performances. On the flip side, college athletes may be allowed into college for free with a college athletic scholarship, perhaps even with underachieving grades. If college sports is ultra-competitive to break into, and a future in professional sports is likely after national exposure, then it seems an injustice worth fighting for.

Racism and sexism in college athletics is another concern, and so organizations have attempted to fight for the rights of athletic college girls and minorities to earn a college scholarship as well as men. Colleges are told to offer the same amount of scholarship money for both female and males. Unfortunately, it appears as if male college athletes still outnumber female students.

For more information on college requirements and scholarship support visit the National Junior College Athletic Association, as well as popular sports colleges like Emerson college athletics, Boston college athletics and Manhattan college athletics.