The NCAA: A Broken System

by Brendan Paschal 

The system is broken. There is no doubt that the current state of college athletics is flawed. The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a multi-billion dollar industry, yet the main source of revenue (the college athlete) does not get a penny of that money back into their pocket. The NCAA’s entire philosophy is that students have an opportunity to earn something much more valuable than a paycheck, a college degree. But in 2019 a college degree might not be as valuable as it once was. While this philosophy once held true, the NCAA is no longer a trustworthy organization.

A Broken System – Colleges

The NCAA does not deserve all of the blame. Instead, the member institutions of the NCAA deserve some of that blame, as well. Colleges and Universities fail these students. Many collegiate athletes are the first in their family to go to college, while others did not receive the proper education needed prior to entering college. Making it to college based on athletic skill is impressive, but it is not indicative of how one will do in the classroom. Because of that, many athletes arrive at college struggling to stay above water. Basic college courses are overwhelming when high schools on the I-95 Corridor in South Carolina or in impoverished neighborhoods in Detroit have facilities built in the 1940s and teachers having to feed their students.

Missouri Busted

Although colleges set aside tutors specifically for these athletes, many are tutors in name only. For example, most recently, Missouri was sanctioned for having a tutor help 12 different players cheat in college courses. This included completing an entire online course for one student. The tutor left the school in 2016, and self-reported these violations almost immediately. In that self-report, the tutor stated she felt pressured from the academic coordinator to help these students cheat to stay academically eligible.

That is solely on the school and unacceptable. But it is not rare. The only difference between Missouri and other universities, Missouri got caught. It’s like speeding. A lot of people do speed, and justify their actions, but eventually someone gets caught. Others will be cautious for a while, but eventually they’ll go right back to speeding. Auburn and North Carolina were caught with independent studies abuse several years back. Schools are so pressured to hold onto their best athletes no matter what. Fans demand excellence, and they don’t care about the consequences.

A Broken System – The NCAA

First, a little background. For decades the NCAA has argued that collegiate athletes earn something much more valuable than a simple paycheck. They earn a degree. In fact, you’ve probably seen their commercials with Jerry Rice where he says those exact words. This has been their platform since the start. And why shouldn’t it? Out of all collegiate athletes only a microscopic number of them make it into the pros. What’s to happen to all those who don’t make it? A college degree drastically changes their future.

There are many athletes who are the first person in their family to go to college, which would not have been possible without their athletic scholarship. First generation students are positioned to help their family move up in this world. Through that mission, the NCAA has helped young men and women find these opportunities through sports. It was a beautiful thing.

Corruption in the NCAA

Today, however, the NCAA has transformed into a nasty and corrupt institution driven by greed. They claim to be looking out for the best interests of the student athlete. Yet their actions blatantly say the opposite. If you’re looking for an example, Scott Van Pelt lays it out perfectly.

It’s hard to believe in the NCAA’s philosophy when the very organization has the audacity to pull stunts like this. Of course, they approve of Justin Fields and Tate Martell for immediate eligibility because people will want to watch Ohio State face Georgia in the college football playoff. Fields vs. Jake Fromm will be must watch television. The NCAA saw nothing but dollar signs and the opportunity was just too irresistible. But an offensive lineman from Coastal Carolina transferring to Virginia Tech to be closer to his sick mother…forget about. How can anyone believe in an organization driven by such greed?

Something has to change. But is paying players the right move? Click Here to see the Problems with Paying Players.