Category: CIVIC!

Your college decision is one of the most significant decisions you will make in life. It will shape a person’s future and what job they end up with. Many factors play a role in the decision, like how high-ranked the school is, what type of people go there, and the location. A separate factor, though, has influenced many high schoolers’ college decisions that may seem unreasonable, and that is sports. 

An article from the Washington Post states, “colleges — ranging from major state schools to lesser-known institutions that particularly benefit from the attention — have spikes in interest following athletic success.” It can be challenging for some people to understand the extent to which sports can influence where someone chooses to apply, but studies show the impact.  

The culture in the United States is recognized for its people’s love for sports. For some, it is their entire life. Whether it be football or baseball, there are millions of die-hard fans who follow their team intensely. While many love professional teams, this love has ventured into college sports. 

This has caused a change in college decisions and the application status of many institutions. It may not play a role for some, but many people may analyze the college’s sports citation before they make a decision to apply there. Some kids state that they do not want to go to a college that doesn’t have a big football program. This can be a good thing and a bad thing.

The rhetoric surrounding college football is everywhere and almost hard to escape. According to ESPN, “The College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T scored 25 million viewers” this year. That is a massive number of people, considering only two schools are playing each other. This draw is what influences decisions. Some small colleges put their name on the map with a good sports year, while prominent sports colleges have a significant draw. 

It is debated if sports should be involved in the decision at all. If college is about one’s education, why do sports play such a big role, and why do some kids seem to only care about them? This can harm colleges without sports, as they can be looked down upon by sports lovers. It seems wrong for applications to be based on how well a college did athletically. College is for a young adult’s education into the future, and many think they should decide on that only.

There is also the topic of civic issues regarding scholarships for athletes. As stated by Debt.org, “there are roughly 180,000 athletic scholarships available for the NCAA’s D-I and D-II schools” that are given out each year. This adds up to a large sum of money going to kids for athletics rather than for education, which is the college’s primary purpose. Athletes deserve rewards as they work very hard, but it can seem unfair that someone with excellent grades is not getting anything while an athlete receives a full ride. 

In addition, many athletes do not meet the standards to get into the school but get a place because of their sports. So, should someone be able to go to a school because of their athletic ability? I think they should, as athletics can be someone’s whole future, and they work just as hard on their sport as some do on schoolwork. 

The amount of money college sports bring in is significant. College sports communicate with the public and get people’s attention. Without these sports, there would likely be much less school pride and less of a school identity. Some schools are funded mainly by their athletic programs. Take Penn State as an example. We get so much revenue from football that it allows the school to build new things and add to the athletic department, which runs pretty much on the money from football.

I believe that college decisions can have many factors and it is fair for sports to be one of them. Sports are able to build a community for the institution and many applicants want to be a part of it. While it can be unfair to smaller colleges with small sports programs, they accept less people, so the mass of people who want to be at a football school generally can fit and it ends up working out for all colleges.

Many scholarships are given to athletes, and they get some resources that others do not, but I believe that bringing in money allows them to reap the benefits. It can sometimes seem like a bit much, as kids who work hard on academics do not get special treatment. I think there should be a balance allowing exceptional people to be appreciated for anything they do. Education is the most important thing and there needs to be a strong focus on that for all parties involved.

However, being at a campus with many sports has given me and many others many options for things to do, which I love. People travel here for games, and it is great to see so much support for college kids. The community interacts with each other in such a positive way that everyone keeps coming here. Everyone coming together on game days is heartwarming and so much fun, which you cannot get at some other schools.

Overall, I believe that there are some issues regarding college sports playing significant roles in decisions and college athletes getting a lot of money. What would happen to some schools if there were no college sports? That is how many institutions brand themselves, and it pulls people in. This could have a long-lasting effect, and most schools would be the same. People will continue to debate over athletes and money, but no one can deny the community that is created in the process and how incredible the support is for kids who want to make a living out of it.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/sports/ncaa-applicants/

https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2024/01/espn-delivers-record-viewership-across-college-football-playoff-and-new-years-six/#:~:text=The%20College%20Football%20Playoff%20National,year%20and%2011%25%20above%202022.

https://www.debt.org/students/athletic-scholarships/#:~:text=Each%20year%2C%20there%20are%20roughly,eligible%20for%20an%20athletic%20scholarship.

There are many civic topics regarding college athletes in the United States. Almost every other country does not view college sports like we do. People take athletics very seriously, and competition can be rigorous. Many kids choose colleges because of their atmosphere when it comes to football and basketball and count out schools that don’t have serious sports.

The question is, how does this affect a college campus? There are many different ways to describe the civic life of a college campus. One can focus on various aspects such as teachers, students, nightlife, and clubs; the list is never-ending. College sports, however, are unique in their own way, as many more people are involved, not just in the college town.

College sports allow for one of the biggest atmospheres in the country, with Michigan’s football stadium holding almost 108,000 people and our own Beaver Stadium holding the second most people with nearly 107,000 seats (NCAA). Michigan’s stadium holds the most people of any in the U.S., beating any professional sport. Clearly, college athletes are part of something bigger than themselves, and it can affect college students on campus.

These athletes are living the life and a considerable part of the civic world that is college. Many colleges revolve around sports, and students dedicate their time to attending the games. An article by CBS Sports states, “Game day is becoming more experiential” (CBS). Kids enjoy the game days not just for the game but also for the festivities that surround them. 

Sports are more important in the United States than many other things. Other countries think the way Americans care about all these sports is outlandish, let alone sports played by ‘kids.’ 

One of the big draws is tailgating. People set up extremely early in the morning to spend the day drinking with friends and family before heading into the game. People use games as a reason to interact with each other and have fun, as people have done for many years when trying to produce more civic life in a town. Rooting for a team brings people together but can also tear them apart.

There are positives and negatives regarding the college atmosphere of sports. People can get aggressive over a simple football game and bond over their love for a team. While this is relevant for watchers, it is also very appropriate for the players. 

Many college athletes put a lot of pressure on themselves to be the best. With so many people counting on them, it can take a lot of work for a young person to handle. Their classmates admire them and can feel that when they are doing something as simple as walking around campus. 

According to Thriveworks, college athletes face many unique mental challenges that others may not fully understand. They often love what they do but face pressure regarding their future and proving themselves. While other students face the pressure of good grades, athletes also have to deal with the idea of being drafted to play professionally (Thriveworks).

This can become a civic issue because young athletes quit sports due to the standards they are held to. This can happen with college students and their grades, but they do not have many people watching them and following their lives. While not all athletes have people watching them or feel much pressure, many do. 

I believe this is a civic issue because the civic life surrounding these students leads to poor mental health and a downfall in education. Students are so focused on their sport that they focus on themselves less or their education, which everyone deserves to be able to do. Some may play professionally, but only a few. 

Almost any college student, including myself, can attest to the atmosphere and how much people care. It is fun to watch but can be harmful. There is now the added pressure of college athletes being paid and a considerable debate over that. There are simply college kids who have to watch their actions because of how they may be portrayed to the public, like a famous person would have to worry. 

This is unfair, as a society can be rough and judgemental. College athletes do not always want this life; they are not in the career yet to live it but are forced into it to play a sport they love. 

Colleges work hard to provide the right resources for these players by giving everyone access to health facilities of many kinds. Society works to help them, while some unknowingly are hurting them. Civic life is enjoyable but can be grueling. 

There has been a more recent movement concerning the mental health of athletes, including student-athletes. A case by Georgia State concluded that student-athletes have a high rate of mental health stigma (Georgia State). This is another civic issue, along with the pressures we face in reality. Mental health can be seen as a bad thing, especially in male sports, as they are often taught to toughen up.

Society has some flaws with the topic of mental health, but everyone has fun watching college sports, and hopefully, that stays while mental health continues to be more recognized. I love attending college games and the atmosphere surrounding them, but there is a civic issue about how the athletes are viewed and the pressures they face on the field, in public, and online, which can be harmful to anyone. 

People come together to support a team and school they love, making friends and cheering. Civic life is never as prominent as it is at a college football game, especially in Happy Valley. Students need to be protected and taken care of in all situations as life can be hard and everyone needs help sometimes. The atmosphere is exhilarating and positive, while also negative. It is important for everyone to work together and help each other so kids do not have to feel so much weight on their shoulders. Some may go far with the sport and others may not, but health and happiness are the more important things.

Links:

https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2018-07-30/25-biggest-college-football-stadiums-country

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/college-football-attendance-rose-in-2022-with-largest-year-over-year-increase-since-1982/

https://thriveworks.com/help-with/mental-health-awareness/student-athlete-mental-health/

https://news.gsu.edu/2023/09/07/study-college-athletes-experience-high-rates-of-mental-health-stigma/

My civic blog will be centered on college athletes. The topic I am most eager to dive into regards athletes being paid. This debate has been going on for a few years, as people brought up the idea of them getting money, and others supported it. Some current rules and regulations don’t allow for payments, but people have found ways around it, and now some college athletes make even more than professionals. 

This debate hit the mainstream around 2020 and led into 2021 when athletes were allowed to be paid in specific ways. It has come a long way, as only a few months ago, Forbes asked people about the subject and gathered data stating that “70% of U.S. adults said college athletes should be able to receive direct compensation from their school” (Forbes). 

These results shocked me. I remember that not long ago, everyone seemed to be against the idea of college athletes being paid. Many people think college sports will change greatly from it and will suffer significantly. It is evident that many minds have changed from information in the study and what I hear around campus. The rhetoric regarding them being paid has become more positive when asked the question.

People have started to agree with the decision and want even more money for these kids. What is allowing this change to happen is NIL deals. These are deals that companies make with a college athlete to pay them in exchange for promoting their brand. When writing on NIL deals, Business Insider states, “​​Name, image, and likeness, or NIL, has redefined college athletics in the past two years. Student-athlete influencers have become key parts of marketing strategies” (BI).

Most athletes don’t bring in too much money, but a significant amount, while others are set for life. It is most likely to be a football player making in the millions, but some athletes in other sports, such as Lebron James’ son in basketball and Livvy Dunne in gymnastics,

One big reason for this is the emergence and fame of TikTok. TikTok has caused a boom in the idea of products’ going viral’ and allowing people to make millions based on the content they post. Influencers have always been around, but it has brought them to the next level. Kids are making much more money than a high-level doctor would, which has angered some people.

While that has angered many, it has worked in college athletes’ favor. Athletes began using their talent to make a platform that people would become interested in. They gained lots of followers, getting the attention of brands. Another prominent factor is how good they are at their sport. Brands use the kids for publicity and to attend events with fans, and the athletes get paid.

It seems to be a win-win, but not everyone sees it that way. It has been argued that paying college kids is unfair and will ruin the sports. It is also argued if it is fair to pay them, it is unfair that only some get paid. The Supreme Court ruled in 2023 in favor of athletes being paid, but only some of them are actually seeing any money. 

On the flip side, the favorable argument seems to be that some athletes bring in vast amounts of money for the school they play for and should be compensated or get some of the money in return. People believe that student-athletes receiving scholarships fairly compensate the players, but others think they make an unfair profit. 

It is also argued that athletes risk injury and their future to play for the college, which is a job that deserves a wage. Some think they are just college kids and should take advantage of the education, not just focus on the sport, and most do not go pro.

Many of these arguments have been generated by the media and what people see online. People form opinions based on who they see and want to agree with. If your favorite influencer uses rhetoric in a negative light, you will think of something negative and vice-versa. This has come into play with this subject and many others. 

People may also be affected by the communication they have with athletes in college or on the campus they attend. It is a tricky subject, as both arguments seem relevant and worth looking at. The idea of college kids being paid simply for playing a sport can sound perplexing, but isn’t that how professional sports work? It can also sound perplexing that these kids work so hard and receive money for it, but they often go to the institution for free, which most other kids cannot do.

These students making money can make sense in most eyes, but the amount is a different story. Athletes were being paid a lot when it was just NIL deals, but with the NCAA changing their guidelines, there have been continuously growing numbers. The highest-paid college athlete is Bronny James. While his dad is already a millionaire and one of the most famous names in sports, he also makes over $6 million in college (One37pm).

How can this be possible? It is understandable if he is bringing in a lot of money, but this seems like more. His name alone has to allow for lots of publicity for the school, which is essential now more than ever, as schools compete through social media as much as anything else. 

In closure, the debate about college athletes being paid is still ongoing, but the favor is growing. There is rhetoric surrounding the media and brands, which sparked interest and led to significant changes in college sports. Many find the idea unfair, but others think that is what the kids deserve in the grand scheme of everything. Athletes will continue to work with brands and be paid as long as they have support and keep up their exceptional talent on the field. As civic issues arise around the world, this will continue to be one in the U.S. for years to come.

Links:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolekraft/2023/08/21/why-the-public-strongly-supports-paying-college-athletes/?sh=2a23c4aa1b08

https://www.businessinsider.com/how-college-athletes-are-getting-paid-from-nil-endorsement-deals

https://www.one37pm.com/sports/highest-paid-college-athletes