Is it time for amateur athletes to cash in?

To pay student athletes or not to pay student athletes. That is the question.

In a society fueled by capitalism, junior and student athletes perform at the top of their abilities to gain entry into the world of professional sports. But does it really pay off for them?

“By definition, an amateur is somebody who does not do something professionally. An amateur is someone who doesn’t get paid to do something,” said St. Clair College student and sports fan Mark Brown. “Although some (college athletes) have more skill than others it’s still on an even playing field.”

In a recent unscientific survey of over 40 people conducted for St. Clair College there was an almost even result of 51 per cent who believe it is fair to consider college and junior athletes as amateurs.

When it came to questions relating to how amateur athletes could be paid while under scholarships and attending school 58 to 78 per cent of the answers suggested the athletes should be able to be paid under certain circumstances including through endorsements, licensing agreements and sponsorships.

“(Amateur athletes) should at least have the ability to take up outside opportunities like endorsement deals. I don’t see how it’s at an amateur level if they are generating income,” said fair-weather sports fan Christian Robertson. “A student on a music scholarship can play in a band all summer and make outside money but a basketball player on scholarship can’t enter a 3-on-3 cash tournament in the summer. It seems biased and self-serving to me.”

When it comes down to what is fair or not, people share different opinions on the subject. Scholarships come at a huge cost to the academic facilities and although players are scouted to help the team’s performance in their respective sports, they are supposed to be student athletes, with the student part coming first.

“I do not believe student athletes should be paid by their junior teams or institutions. They are being provided education packages and instruction from some of the best coaches in their sports to get them to the next level,” said Assistant General Manager of the Amherstburg Admirals Jr. C. Hockey Club, Matt Dumouchelle. “If you start paying athletes before they turn pro, they will not play with the same drive to reach the pro level and that makes them more susceptible to injury.”

The National Collegiate Athletic Association puts specific rules in place which keeps students from receiving outside monies including endorsements right down to a free lunch from sports writers. Because of their relationship with school’s athletic departments, players are considered a representative of the university’s athletic program and are expected to adhere to the rules set in place when it comes to alumni, boosters, family and friends.

“I really believe once you turn professional that is where endorsements come in. I believe the school(s) should support the athletes in any way possible,” said CTV news anchor Jim Crichton. “I believe in the world of professional endorsement. I don’t think amateur athletes should be shilling for Nike, for example.”

Receiving a scholarship from an established post-secondary institution is often a high point for young athletes, as well as a place to further their education and develop their skills in a competitive environment with hopes of making it to the professional level.

“If you are attending a college, a university or accredited place of learning, generally it would be in recognition of your achievement that is allowing you to continue and recognizing there are financial hardships for students,” said Crichton. “It’s not a sponsorship from General Motors or Coca-Cola or anything, it is money set aside for a quest for deserving students. I would suggest these (NCAA) rules are put in place so there is a more level playing field.”

Crichton states that in its purest form, you would want students at the collegiate level to all be seen as the same and not one greater than the other.