Proposal

Logan Blue

Mr. BC

WRD 111-033

March 11, 2015

Thesis: College student athletes do not deserved to be paid,because they already are granted tuition, room, board, textbooks, plus much more.

Claim: College student athletes do not deserved to be paid

Stated Reason: because they already are granted tuition, room, board, textbooks, plus much more

Warrant: Since college student athletes are already granted so much, extra payment is not necessary

Evidence and Claims:

·      Outside of college football and basketball, other sports would have difficulties budgeting any extra payments to athletes.

·      Not all college programs are profitable, thus paying stipends isn’t really possible.

·      Smaller universities would be at a disadvantage in recruiting because larger schools could “buy out” recruits

·      Payment would essentially take the amateurism out of college athletics

·      Aside from the basic things these players receive, many often get free tutoring, access to state of the art facilities and rehab therapies, supreme coaching, and medical attention

·      Students educations and other grants can add up to $250,000+ over 4-5 years alone already

·      Playing a college sport is a privilege and shouldn’t be considered a job but a passion for the sport

SEC Coaches Weigh In

South Carolina Head Coach, Steve Spurrier, presents his argument with a heavy emphasis on ethos. Spurrier furthermore claims that all 14 SEC coaches agree with him that student-athletes should be paid. His ethos appeal is based heavily on the fiscal side of the argument. He uses multiple numerical statistics to show why college athletes deserve stipends. He thinks that $3000-$4500 should be given to players, around $300 per game. His main concern is that college sports bring in multi-billions. Outside of this he also uses pathos. He says that this extra money players would receive would help them to “live like normal student-athletes”. This is supposed to reach out to the emotional side of his audience. By combining ethos and pathos together his argument is very effective. Spurrier has been an avid supporter for multiple years on this issue despite the little traction it has gotten some years. He simply puts it as, "We think they need more and deserve more. It's as simple as that." Along with Spurrier, Les Miles (LSU) and James Franklin (former Vanderbilt HC) also commented. They understand that basketball and football are the two most revenue sports. They don’t just settle for these sports though, all agree that all sports should be compensated. This approach is something that will reach to all audiences and be well liked. They also acknowledge the difficulty of finding a common ground on a number. They agree that outside of the SEC, it must be incorporated all over the country. Together these coaches with great credentials put together a solid argument.  Reaching an audience nationwide and to all sports is a thing they consistently repeat. By combing this with ethos on the number side and pathos on the emotional they have a solid argument. Though this may take years or decades to be put in place, they will be viewed as its top leaders in this new era of college sports.

Works Cited

Aschoff, Edward. "Steve Spurrier Wants Players paid." ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures, 1 June 2012. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.

These photos go with my blog post titled "Bob Stoops on stipends"

Bob Stoops on stipends

Logan Blue

Mr. BC

WRD 111-033

February 2, 2015

Article Summary Blog

TheNCAA thought that removing the BCS and implementing a College Football Playoffswould fix all their problems. Without surprise though, a new outbreak has takenoff, should college athletes be paid? Head coach for the Oklahoma Sooners Men’sFootball Team, Bob Stoops, weighs in heavy on this issue. Stoops states to his players that “You’re not the first one to spend a hungry Sunday without any money.” In his opinion, players are already receiving so much that there is no need for any additional payments. Scholarship athletes are already receiving tuition, room and board, books, nutritionists, tutors, and strength coaches. Stoops stated it very bluntly when he said, “I don’t get why people say these guys don’t get paid. It’s simple, they are paid quite often, quite a bit and quite handsomely.” All of these combined can amount to $200,000 or more over a four or five year span; just ask non-scholarship out of state students. These athletes can leave a prestigious college like Oklahoma debt free. Other then the numbers and costs, Stoops also says how most of the players “wouldn’t be here if they were like every other student.” This is because athletes can score lower on standardized tests and still gain admittance to the school. Another argument that has come up has been in regards to players receiving royalties for jersey sales. Coach Stoops tells his players that those fans in the stands may have your number on but what says that it’s for you? It could be for a past player, a friend, or just personal preference. Another reminder Stoops emphasizes is that “Those 70,000 fans in the stadium are cheering and buying tickets to see Oklahoma.” He reminds the players that it is a team sport and fans come to cheer and watch the Sooners, not just Player A or Player B. Stoops, a Youngstown, Ohio native, believes in the dedication to hard work. Rising as an assistant coach for fifteen years before he was named a Head Coach proves that. He believes that his players are in unique positions to be where he is when they are fifty-one years old, which is being paid millions of dollars to coach football. His players are getting a background that can’t be achieved just anywhere. If they play their cards right they could climb the ranks of the college coaching ladder too. Stoops is heavy on making sure his players realize the opportunity in front of them and making them seize it. The chances of making it to the NFL are low, but there is so much to learn in the college experience. His personal opinion on college is that “…college is more about proving you can make it on your own.” The life of a student-athlete is a rigorous one but one that can’t be paralleled. Stoops closes with “The typical student here leaves our university and has a boatload of student loans to pay back. Our players leave not owing a dime to anyone.” Throughout the article, Stoops argues against any point that those who favor the change support. The amount already given to the players combined with the opportunities they have in the future are things Stoops harks on. Stoops in one of many coaches that think this way on the issue but not all feel the same way.

  Works Cited

Cwynar, Sara. Collages. Digital image. Let’s Start Paying College Athletes. N.p., 30 Dec. 2011. Web. 2 Feb. 2015.

Hayes, Matt. "Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops on Paying Stipends: Players Get Plenty Already." Sporting News. N.p., 11 Apr. 2013. Web. 02 Feb. 2015.

NCAA money. Digital image. No Pay for College Players: Scholarship More than Enough for Playing a Game. N.p., 21 Mar. 2013. Web. 2 Feb. 2015.

Pay For Play. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2015.

The Athletes (Coach Opinion)

In this article, Bob Stoops argues that student athletes are being paid already. Players have access to nutritionists, tutors, strength coaches and much more. They already get full tuition, books, room and board. These add up and can be around $150,000 + in value over 4-5 years. I agree with Stoops, players are given so much and have access to much more than the normal student. Being a preferred walk on here at UK as shown me a lot personally. Sure, I'd like to get a stipend weekly for playing but its my choice to play here. I believe athletes, especially full scholarship ones are doing just fine here and at other places. I think that with all that is given to them they should not complain. Going hungry should never be an issue here. The amount of support behind each and every player from the staff at schools is definitely enough. We are here for school and to play our sport. Getting paid is for professionals, not college students. 

http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2013-04-10/oklahoma-bob-stoops-paying-players-stipend-ed-obannon-scholarships-heupel

MLK Jr. Day

January 19th 2015

I participated in the Freedom March that was hosted by the city of Lexington in cooperation with UK. The walk took place downtown at Heritage Hall and in surrounding streets. I was accompanied by my friend from Transylvania University, Tim. The nice weather and day off from classes helped me start this week off on a nice note. This symbolic walk was how I chose to honor the late MLK Jr.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Photo taken and edited using Snapchat App