Running head: COLLEGE ATHLETICS ISSUE 1

Learning Activity 2

Will Naylor

SPM 200

Western Kentucky University

28 April 2019
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College Athletics Issue

There is a lot of issues in the world of college athletics among universities. For example,

creating a scholarship to help with costs. This paper will talk about underlying issue of not

creating a realistic future for the college athletes. I believe that some of the athletes in college

have a chance to go to the professionals, however what do the athletes do when they do not make

it pro? Universities with sports should implement a program for the student athletes to create a

future for themselves if their “dream” does not come true. In my opinion, college athletes should

spend more time on their education rather than sports.

In an article found on the cbssports.com, it talks about how the athlete’s voices help in

decisions for college sports under the NCAA and Division I conferences. One of the main issues

that the articles talks about is the future. In an interview with Ex-Mississippi State football player

Jay Hughes, he says, “I see a lot of guys who don’t have the opportunities that they need to go

out and look for jobs or develop themselves for a career besides just being an athlete. I had

teammates who didn’t even know how to fill out a checking deposit slip at the bank. ... First of

all, they have to pick a major they’re actually interested in. Some guys just pick a major because

it’s easy. When they get done playing, they have this degree sitting there and they can’t do

anything with it” (Solomon). The article later says that Hughes went to Mississippi State solely

because it was an engineering school. However, he was not able to achieve his dream of being an

electrical engineer due to playing football, therefore he majored in history. Hughes says, “I love

history, but there’s really not a whole lot you can do with history” (Solomon).

Do college athletes even have time for academics due to sports schedules? In reality, the

answer is that they do not. A professor from a Division I football, and men’s basketball
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university talks about their experience with college athletes. The professor says, “Early data from

my ongoing research on the academic experiences of black Division I football, and men’s

basketball players shows that they spend three times as many hours per week on athletics as they

do on academics. On average, the players spend more than 25 hours on sports-related activities

other than games, such as practice, workouts, general team meetings, film sessions and travel”

(Harris). This proves that academics does not matter to student athletes and that they are more

concerned about the sport and making the pros, rather than thinking about reality. The reality is

that the majority of student athletes will not go pro, therefore, the student does not know what to

do with the degree they received because half the time the student athletes do not show up to

class. I also agree with the article when it mentions “that the players should be satisfied with the

fact that their scholarships enable them to reap the benefits of a college education” (Harris).

Currently, there are several programs for student athletes at universities that help them to

receive an education. Athletes are being offered the opportunity to be educated, however the

student athletes need to take the initiative to get educated. Some universities have created

programs for student athletes to receive an education. For example, Western Kentucky

University (WKU) has a program for the student athletes. The Carol and Denny Wedge Student

Athlete Success Center at WKU has a mission to help student-athletes have the most positive

educational and personal experience possible at WKU” (Student). According to the National

College Resources Foundation coaches are not just looking for students to perform on a field but

to also perform in a classroom (Student Athlete). In order to achieve that most universities have

had a goal to educate the student athletes for the future.

In conclusion, student athletes need to have the opportunities to receive an education at a

university while also participating in a sport. Even though most athletes miss class due to sports
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requirements or games, the programs that most universities have for the student athletes help

them to get caught up with missed assignments or tests. I personally believe that bigger issue is

that student athletes need to care about their education rather than the sport because what if they

do not go to professionals? What is their plan now?

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References

Solomon, J. (2016, June 21). SEC players speak out on the biggest issues facing college athletes.

Retrieved from https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/sec-players-speak-out-

on-the-biggest-issues-facing-college-athletes/

Harris, J. (2019, February 13). It's naive to think college athletes have time for school. Retrieved

from http://theconversation.com/its-naive-to-think-college-athletes-have-time-for-school-

100942

Student Athlete Success Center. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://wkusports.com/sports/2018/7/3/student-athlete-success-center.aspx

Lemmons, M., & Lemmons, M. (2017, May 06). If You're An College Athlete, Your Degree

Might Mean Next To Nothing. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/if-youre-

an-college-athlete-your-degree-might-mean_b_58e3dfd1e4b09dbd42f3dae8

Student Athlete Program. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.thecollegeexpo.org/program/student-athlete-program
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