The moment a High School athlete signs his or her letter of intent to play for a college program is the highlight of their career. This is the time when they have realized they have made it to the collegiate level as a student-athlete. I believe that student-athletes should not be paid at the collegiate level, but not just because they are students. College athletes should not be paid because they are college kids, and when given hundreds or even thousands of dollars they are going to spend the money on stupid stuff (like most college kids would). As a current college student I know that I am learning valuable lessons being poor- like how to spend my money for only things I need and save my money. If someone were giving me thousands or hundreds of dollars a week I would never learn how to correctly save my money.

Also, has anyone stopped to think why Tyrell Pryor used the money he received to buy tattoos? They already have their schooling, housing, and food paid for, and any additional money given to college athletes would be spent on things like tattoos. I know that the universities make millions of dollars on collegiate sports, and I agree that some of that money should go back to the student-athletes. However, instead of just giving this money straight to the students why not use that money to help benefit the athlete’s future.

I found a very telling stat that states 78% of NFL players are bankrupt or in financial severe trouble two years after they retire. If the university simply pays its student-athletes is that really beneficial to their future. Hire financial advisors to talk to student-athletes to help prepare these kids for life after football.

How about bringing in former athletes that could explain to students why it is important to stay in school and get a degree? According to the NCAA only 1.7% of senior’s are drafted into the NFL, and another stat states only 64% of Football Subdivision athletes graduate college. Paying college athletes is not going to help the other 35%, but using the money to inform them and help them graduate college will.

Should not the goal of all Universities to make sure that 100% of their student-athletes graduate college? These athletes do make the Universities millions of dollars, and in return the Universities should repay them by putting them in the best situation to graduate college and be successful after football. Paying college athletes is not going to help more student-athletes graduate. It is sad to think that no one in the NCAA, or a coach has come forward and said why don’t we use this money to help these kids graduate.

The opportunity is there to change the lives of college athletes. Paying them four years to live like kings is not going to help their future for the next 30 years. Hopefully, someday we will start thinking about the future of these college athletes instead of what is going on now.