...Ethics in College Athletics: How Far Does Winning Go John Williams 27 September 2013 Abstract Introduction Whether it is ultra-competitive collegiate athletes, the need for university programs for funding, or the drive for a championship, the perceived need to win is ever increasing in today’s collegiate sport programs. This perceived need plays a large role in the perceived successfulness of the program. In today’s collegiate world, more wins equates to more money for the program, more recognition for coaches and players, as well as increased awareness of the university as a whole. These benefits to winning are the drive behind many collegiate programs to get a step ahead of the competition, however, when does this drive and the pressure to win outweigh the coach’s and program’s code of ethics. The collegiate world has recently seen many different scenarios where the need to win has resulted in the poor decision to throw away one’s ethics for the benefit of personal gain or the win of single game. Each of these scenarios is a culmination of poor personal decisions, poor program management, and poor character development. These scenarios present themselves as learning experiences as well as opportunities to educate the future leaders of our sporting world. Review of Literature The term ethics is defined as, “moral principles that govern a person’s or group’s behavior” (Meriam-Webster, 2013). By this definition, there is a code of conduct that guide...
Words: 1758 - Pages: 8
...College Athlete Compensation: Primary Research Review Phillip Richard Cross Oakland University Rochester, MI Abstract This primary research paper explores the topic of college athletics, and if student athletes receive fair compensation for their sporting services. As to how this question was answered, it was conducted with two separate interviews. One of them was with Ben Anderson, my former varsity basketball coach, and also Matt Okaiye, a close friend who plays college football at Michigan State. The main findings of this research was that college athletes receive a great deal of fair compensation, as scholarships and publicity are the primary focus to why. For athletic scholarships, we see that the student athletes receive numerous amnesties and benefits that compensate them extremely well. Publicity is the same way, as the athletes have a large amount of attention on them which leads to economic and compensated value. This research will ultimately lead to the final project which will be on the argument that college athletes should not be paid. College Athlete Compensation The notion of paying college athletes has been an ongoing debate for decades. With college sports continuing to gain popularity and revenue increasing for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), people have questioned whether college athletes should be benefited beyond their athletic scholarships. The question is, do college athletes receive fair enough compensation for their services...
Words: 882 - Pages: 4
...Television Business Taking Over College Athletics College Athletics have always been a form of entertainment for many Americans and people around the world, but with the continued evolution of technology is has become a business for television companies. Major television networks like ESPN, Fox, CBS Sports, and Turner Broadcasting Systems have made college athletics a profit machine. Each company sign big contracts with the NCAA and each conference to gain the rights to broadcast the athletic events of the institutions. The conference then distribute that money evenly through its’ members. For the television networks, The “Big Five” Conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC) are the ones that will bring the most ratings and result in...
Words: 1098 - Pages: 5
...It is common for college athletics to participate in some form of hazing. College athletics haze students because it can be a form of rite of passage, it is thought to fuel students’ competitive spirit, or show dominance between student players. Because of these reasons, in 95% of hazing cases, students who were aware they were hazed did not report it (UMD Hazing Prevention Website). More than 250,000 students have experienced some sort of hazing act to join a college athletic team. More than 20% of female NCAA athletes were subjected to alcohol-related hazing; however even a higher percentage admitted to "mental hazing" which ranged from singing to being kidnapped (UMD Hazing Prevention Website). Dr. Ryan Hamilton, Sport Psychology Consultant,...
Words: 1652 - Pages: 7
...2010). College sports provide an important educational opportunity to the student-athlete. Scholars suggested intercollegiate athletics provided three distinct attributes to higher education; 1) personal development, 2) a vehicle for increased intellectual attainment and social upward mobility, and 3) help increase student enrollment and revenue (Miller, 2003; Zimmerman and Wickersham, 2013). The decisions made in NCAA Division II athletic reform with regard to helping student athletes earn their degrees remain an integral component of the mission of intercollegiate athletics (NCAA, n.d.). The Division II philosophy...
Words: 1757 - Pages: 8
...Prompt: To what extent did the goals of American foreign policy change in the years 1930-1941? For what reasons did these goals change? The 1930s were a difficult time for most Americans. Faced with colossal economic hardships—unprecedented in American history—many Americans turned inward to focus on the worsening situation at home. The United States became increasingly insensitive to the obliteration of fellow democracies at the hands of brutal fascist leaders like Hitler and Mussolini. The U.S. was determined to stay out of war at all costs—even if its allies were in trouble; Americans believed that they were immune from Europe’s problems as long as they refused to get involved. However, as the “free” countries fell, one by one, to the Nazi war machine, Americans began to realize the folly of their foolish optimism and clamored for increasing involvement in foreign affairs. American foreign policy changed in the years 1930-1941 as Americans realized that fascism would likely conquer all of Europe unless Americans acted quickly. Ultimately, it was fear of the fascist threat to American democracy that triggered the end of American isolationism and inaugurated the era of American interventionism. World War I had left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Americans; many believed that the U.S. had been tricked into joining the war for the wrong reasons, and they were determined to avoid making the same mistake twice. After the Great War, Americans were disappointed to realize that...
Words: 1256 - Pages: 6
...Social Inequalities of Sports The world of sports has so many different levels to it. In each separate sport, there are different levels that range from recreational and neighborhood teams all the way up to professional leagues. Getting all the way up to this professional or even the collegiate level is a very impressive feat that not many people can say they have accomplished. However, athleticism and talent are not the only thing that gets you to these levels. There are many other factors that have to do with how far you can take your sport and how far your sport will allow you to go. There are many different inequalities such as race, ethnicity, class, and gender that shape each athlete’s experience in their respective sports. The first is race and ethnicity. The conversation about racial inequality is currently a hot topic in the United States. However, over the last fifty years, the world of sports has made some of the best progress of any institutions. In the National Football League, two thirds of the league players are racial minorities, most of them being African American. Close to 25% of the league management positions are occupied by people of color. There were six African American general managers in 2012, and eight of the last 12 Super Bowl participants have either had a black coach or General Manager. The National Basketball Association also has a very good diverse athlete population. More than three quarters of all NBA players are African-American and people...
Words: 1550 - Pages: 7
...Michael P. Murphy How Recruiting Violations and Academic Misconduct have effectively marred the Amateurism of College Athletics and a Proposal for a Local Solution IDST J497 Professor Timothy C. Williams November 30, 2012 Fall 2012 Recruiting Violations and Academic Misconduct in College Athletics Michael P. Murphy IDST J497 Williams The issues of recruiting violations, academic misconduct, administrative negligence, illegal booster involvement, and a general lack of University oversight are all problems that continue to mar the once highly regarded reputations of academic institutions across America. These transgressions, which occur at shockingly consistent rates around campuses nationwide, (committed by faculty, coaches, players, administrators, and alumni), are effectively compromising the sacred amateurism college athletics has maintained to define its culture and provide credence for its illustrious traditions for over a century. Ethical questions of this magnitude have been pondered by academics and legal stalwarts alike with great depth both at the local and global level for years. Several studies reflect that a substantial percentage of the “major” NCAA recruiting violations and cases of egregious academic misconduct occur typically at institutions where local administrators and financiers have created a “win at all costs” culture pertaining to BCS (Bowl Championship Series) football and the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament. A handful of local schools...
Words: 5280 - Pages: 22
...Athletics Program I think college athletics programs do benefit their educational institutions. You can get scholarships; it helps you boost your confidence. Scholarships are a big deal to some students! Many students cannot go to college without an athletics scholarship. Over 125,000 student athletes are on full or partial athletic scholarships. Being in athletics gives you an opportunity to be awarded significant amount of money. An average athlete salary is around 400,000-1,800,000. Some schools have lots and lots of money because of their athletic program. One way that an athlete can keep their GPA range up is by being in athletics. They can get their dorm and books earlier other than other students, so you will not have to be in a rush whenever school starts. Athletics helps the athletes boost self of steam and increase their confidence in themselves. Sports gain a valuable lesson in life. Athletes set goals and they try to reach them no matter how hard it is. Their coaches motivate the athletes to do their best on the field or on the court. They are dedicated to their sport and never give up. They learn about teamwork and they win as a team and lose as a team. An athlete’s confidence before athletics is low and after a few years in athletics, their confidence has increased a lot. Some people say that it is not fair that the athletes do not have to do a lot of homework. Well they do not know what they have to do, they have to focus...
Words: 273 - Pages: 2
...Should College Athletes be paid? What really is the true definition of an amateur? The true definition is a person who engages in a pursuit, especially a sport, on an unpaid basis. If this is the true definition then why are the schools paying their athletes to come and help bring the attention there school. I believe if this is going to happen, they need to do it equally and give the athletes what they are deserving of. Many athletes are giving their health and stability to help make their colleges revenue. I believe the only thing that is standing against this becoming the future instead of just an idea is the men at the corrupted NCAA (National College Athletic Association). I think the NCAA and the athletic boards throughout the United States are corrupt and are money hungry. However, not every collegiate sports bring in the revenue such as football and basketball do for their universities. So if college athletes were ever to be paid it would be because of these sports. Mostly, as the U.S. News reports that the NCAA brings in more than 1 billion dollars from the NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball tournaments (U.S. News), where does the money go for the athletes who bring them such wealth? It ends up into to the hands of the men and women that have enough money than they can handle. Which is not setting good examples for their athletes that they are in charge of. If they NCAA truly wants the amateurism to stick throughout time and not have to pay their athletes,...
Words: 802 - Pages: 4
...Abstract Should college athletes get paid? Does it teach kids that they do not have to have a job to make money, and that they can just do whatever they like because they know they are too good and will not be let off? I find this topic interesting because I want to play a sport in college. I know that a full ride scholarship would pay for the athlete’s college tuition, food, housing, and their books. I also know that multiple hours are spent by the athlete practicing throughout the day and year. Athletes are expected by their coaches to practice before the season starts and after the season so that they can be the best that they can be for the team. With that being said, how do athletes manage their time with practice, school, and a social life? My intended audience is for anyone who is interested in sports or the benefits college athletes receive from a scholarship. Any athletes might find it interesting what the process is to get a scholarship, whether it is high school students or college. More specifically this would be beneficial to any high school student or parent who would like to know about college athletic scholarships. Compensation of College Athletes There has been an ongoing debate continuing since the early nineteen hundreds on whether college athletes should get paid. This argument comes from the coaches, the athlete’s parents, and the athletes themselves arguing that universities make money off of the players and the players, in turn, do not receive any...
Words: 1780 - Pages: 8
...At some colleges, college athletics are a key source of income, and they attract students to their institutions. Universities depend on their athletes to produce and maintain the popularity of their school's name. According to NCAA rules, “You are not eligible for participation in a sport if you have ever: Taken pay, or the promise of pay, for competing in that sport” (NCAA Regulations 1).Even though the athletes are the one making the money for the college the students are not paid for their time spent playing sports. The NCAA has the capabilities to pay the students but it has not happen yet. The college athletes have no incentive to stay in college and finish their degrees, as many cannot afford to pay for the increasingly expensive college...
Words: 912 - Pages: 4
... Top college football programs make hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues each year, all without having to pay the people who actually play the game. Is it ethical for colleges to not pay their football stars for playing their hearts out on the field, building popular branding images for themselves and their school, and for the collective big-money earnings and prestige that often comes to their schools? Or is indirect payment to these players in the form of a free undergraduate education and college degree through an athletic scholarship sufficient enough? In the 2012 NFL season, 1,947 players played in at least one game. Of those, 62% attended college at one of the five “power conferences” in the U.S., and only one of those players did not attend college at all.[i] Donald Remy, the NCAA chief legal officer has said, “The NCAA’s rules do not force athletes who wish to be professionals to enroll in school,”[ii] yet premier NCAA schools clearly offer the best path to fulfilling these hopeful football players’ dreams. Nevertheless, despite the more opportunistic path of attending a Division I school, a NFL team ultimately drafts only 1.6% of NCAA senior football players.[iii] Meanwhile, the top schools themselves often profit nicely from their players through ticket sales, alumni donations, media rights, and branding, all while paying large salaries to coaches and building state-of-the-art athletic facilities. The top ten NCAA schools with college football...
Words: 4619 - Pages: 19
...Donovan Rasberry Shame of College Sports Term Paper Organization _ Administration Mr. Bear April 12, 2012 Should College Athletes Be Paid? “…Three-quarters of a billion dollars built on the backs of amateurs on unpaid labor” (Branch). In recent years, there has been much controversy over whether or not college athletes should be paid. The argument has primarily consisted of whether or not college athletes deserve special monetary treatment over the other students at universities. “College Football Players Deserve Pay for Play” by Rod Gilmore, “Why Student-Athletes Should Not Be Paid” by Kabir Sawhney, and “The Shame of College Sports” by Taylor Branch all voice their opinions on this argument. I believe college athletes should have their full tuition, meals, room and board paid for; but I do not think the school should necessarily be responsible for paying the athletes especially since so many are not responsible with their money. Basically, I believe that the school should not be responsible for giving these student athletes money. In many cases, these athletes walk around campus with rock star status anyway. If they were paid it would further that perception that they were something other than simply a student athlete. If they were to be paid, many of the athletes would simply waste that money on their wants, and not save it for their necessities. The debate must take into account the benefits that colleges and the NCAA reap from these athletes, and in turn what...
Words: 2843 - Pages: 12
...Professor D.S. English Comp 112 8 March 2015 To Pay or Not to Pay Paying for a college education is one of the vast struggles of being a student. If a student is gifted with intelligence or stifling speed and athleticism they have a chance to earn a scholarship that virtually pays for their entire college experience. In recent history it is apparent that for some student-athletes this money is not enough, bringing up a burning question in college sports: should college athletes be paid? Some believe that it is essential for them to be paid for their hard work and dedication. Others believe that they are already relieved of future college debt, so why give them more? Each spectrum of this argument provides clear and concise evidence making it difficult to decipher which route may be the most reasonable. College is an expensive endeavor and student-athletes already gain a financial advantage and significantly larger benefits over the majority of the student population. The NCAA has always been considered an amateur league. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, an amateur is defined as, “one who cultivates anything as a pastime, as distinguished from one who prosecutes it professionally; hence, sometimes used disparagingly, as = dabbler, or superficial student or worker.” In 1957 the NCAA came to the conclusion, after years of avoiding the pressure, to subsidize and grant athletic scholarships. As young sports fans we aspire to be like our favorite athletes,...
Words: 2066 - Pages: 9
