Reflecting on the Shame of College Sports: Should NCAA Div 1 Basketball and Football players get paid?

I agree to some point and disagree to some degree as well. I agree with the fact the athletes should not get paid unless it is equal across the board for all schools. This will create a whole other argument, because of course D1 schools are going to be under the impression they should be able to pay their athletes more because they bring in more money and better athletes. This will create an unfair advantage to other players and some players will just quit playing all together. Some athletes are already getting paid with a stipend from their school. I know some here at CU get $1000 and at LSU they get $2500 in stipends a month. On top of this and the free items they get, I would say no they do not need to be paid a salary. Many athletes have their tuition covered as well.

The majority of these student athletes are given opportunities that they would never be able to have if they couldn't run fast or catch a ball. From research that has been done, a lot of the college athletes cannot read over a fifth grade reading level. I feel if we want to get into the discussion of paying someone more money for what they do, I would say we need to pay soldiers more, because they are risking their lives for a country that is ungrateful and selfish. On average, retired soldiers get paid $32,000 a year. They still have to go out and find work instead of being able to enjoy their retirement and time with their family. 

Granted many college athletes give up family time, and vacations like pro athletes, they do not play to the same level of intensity. College sports is like working towards a bachelors degree in undergrad, you are preparing for the world and the next level to get a good paying job. They are working towards their degree in Sports to hopefully go to the big league and get their dream job. Many college athletes won't even make it to the big leagues so there is no need paying them until they earn it.