In response to Eric Devericks' posting.
I should clarify my point, actually specify my point. First paying California college athletes to play would remove the integrity. Every prep phenom would head to California schools to get paid. In essence, California colleges would become simply a farm system.
As a collegiate athlete, I valued both athletics and academics. I have a fear that if California pays its athletes that the academics would be lost. Other schools outside of California would not only lose athletic talent but also promising student athletes.
"The fact is that college athletics programs have the same problems that professional teams do." True, except that the college level is completely different than the professional, both in physical ability and social influences.
"Paying athletes for all the risks, hard work and dedication doesn't remove integrity; on the contrary, I think the opposite is true." Does payment not come in bleeding school colors and pride after victory? Is a college diploma not payment for the dedication? To me, experiences as a student athlete learning how to balance my life in sports, academics, and discovering my future is just the same as cash.
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