Question

Write a well reasoned one page argument on NCAA policies regarding amateurism and the student athlete model.

Answer 1

NCAA is a not for profit organization which governs the body of collegiate athletics in the United States and Canada. This organization aimed at providing the students with athlete’s facilities along with an opportunity for education. NCAA regulates the rules for eligibility of its athletes and champions. According to the policy of NCAA if any student enters into an agreement as a professional sportsperson with NCAA he will not be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics in exchange of money. The sports manager is responsible for the decision regarding recruitment and termination of employees, adding new programs and trading of players with various other duties relating to the players' accommodations, meals, etc.

NCAA has adopted a policy of Amateurism, where there is a requirement for the person to be a member of NCAA, State University and requires all of its student-athletes to be amateurs with respect to sports. Any person getting paid for playing in athletics contests or under any contractual agreement with any professional sports organization or its agent will be treated like a professional athlete and will not be considered under Amateurism. It relates to amateur players who participate in the sports out of passion and love and do not have any monetary expectations. NCAA facilitates the students with scholarships, exemption of tuition fees and free meals, but do not compensate the students for their athletic effort. Under the NCAA policy, no student-athlete can receive monetary incentives by participating in sports.

The policy of Amateurism also disallowed professional players from taking part in the Olympic events earlier, as NCAA did not allow the professional players to play. But the USOC modified such policy, allowing professional players to participate in the Olympics. But NCAA still does not allow such athletes to get compensation for their services. There is also a requirement for the students to remain eligible as a collegiate and there is a provision for a stipend from a national governing body for Olympics. The students will be required to enter into an agreement with NCAA where it is mentioned that they will not be eligible for any monetary compensation for their athlete services but are eligible for tuition fees, rooms, books, and meals.

The Amateurism policy is considering the college level sports at an amateur level and NCAA believes that student athletics is totally based on educational experience and professionalism will destroy such athletic program. If the athletes are not paid for their services and proper measures are not taken on the health issues of such students, there will exploitation of such players.

Though NCAA is a nonprofit organization it makes a great deal of money from its sports events and sponsorship. The college students are facilitated with scholarships and brand sponsorship, and they are treated like professional players as long as they maintain their quality, the only exception is they do not get paid for the same. They are only eligible for a stipend and other non-monetary benefits from NCAA.

So from the above discussion, we can see that NCAA has provided a lot of student-athletes with professional mentoring and provision of higher education, along with a place for their stay and stipend for their services. But it does not provide its athletes with compensations or monetary benefits for their athletic services which is a major disadvantage for the players. The student-athletes also lack recognition at the professional level as they are only termed as amateurs by the NCAA. The student-athlete model should be reformed by the authorities to provide for the professionalism of the top players and compensation for their services. Being a nonprofit organization NCAA receives huge profit from its sports events and educational activities which should be used to compensate the students taking part in different matches and events. The policy of Amateurism and non-payment to students for their services are not very admirable and changes are desirable to protect the athletes from exploitation. There are a lot of players coming from a poor family if they get an opportunity to earn from playing, both the players and their families will be privileged. NCAA needs to implement such changes in its policies for the better operation of the organization and better student benefits.