Question

Read the passage and choose the best answer to the question.

Division 1 college athletes should be paid a small salary. Many college athletes have no money for daily life. Their scholarships cover housing, meals, and tuition, but they need money for other things. What if they need shampoo or a new pair of jeans? They often don’t have time to work because of their practices and games. Also, they may not be allowed to work part-time because of their scholarships. College sports bring in lots of money for the schools, so the players should get some of that.


Which statement would provide the strongest support for the argument's claim?


Worrying about money is distracting for college athletes.

Paid college athletes would be more likely to finish their degrees instead of going pro early.

Many top college athletes grew up poor and should be paid.

If student-athletes are not paid, the coaches shouldn’t be paid either.

Answer 1

Paying Division 1 college athletes can lead to increased focus on both sports and academics, potentially improving program success and athlete graduation rates, despite the challenges of managing such employment relationships.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question of whether Division 1 college athletes should be paid is multifaceted but can be supported by examining how colleges and the athletes themselves would benefit. Colleges that pay athletes may see an increase in the commitment and performance of their student athletes because financial security can alleviate distractions and enable athletes to focus on both sports and studies. For colleges, this could translate into more successful athletic programs, leading to greater revenue from sports events and merchandise.

From the athletes' perspective, being paid could provide the necessary support for personal expenses and reduce the incentive to leave college early for professional opportunities, potentially leading to higher graduation rates. However, there can also be cons such as the complexity of managing employment relationships and potential inequities between different sports and athletes.

In terms of academic performance, studies and analyses have indicated that participating in sports can have a positive impact on academic success for college athletes, counter to the stereotype that athletes perform poorly in the classroom. These benefits range from improved grades, better study habits, to higher rates of on-time graduation when compared to non-athlete peers.

Answer 2

The best support for paying college athletes is that it might lead to more athletes completing their degrees, which ties financial payment to positive academic and societal outcomes. Paying athletes can benefit colleges by fostering a supportive environment and increasing graduation rates, while athletes gain financial security and can focus on both sport and study.

Step-by-step explanation:

To support the argument that Division 1 college athletes should be paid a small salary, the strongest statement would be 'Paid college athletes would be more likely to finish their degrees instead of going pro early.' This statement directly ties the payment of college athletes to a tangible academic and career benefit, which bolsters the claim by showing a potential long-term positive outcome not just for the athletes, but for society in that it emphasizes the importance of education.

When colleges pay student athletes, they may see benefits such as increased loyalty from the athletes to the institution, a potentially stronger graduation rate, and the portrayal of a more supportive and fair environment for the athletes who bring in revenue. Conversely, student athletes can benefit from being paid as it can reduce financial distractions, allow them to focus on both academics and athletics, and fairly compensate them for the revenue they help generate.

Participating in a sport can have varied effects on the academic performance of college athletes. If managed well, it could help improve study habits and time management skills, leading to better academic performance. On the other hand, the demands of sports may also detract from study time, potentially hurting grades. The argument implies that being paid could mitigate these risks by reducing financial stresses that contribute to the decision to leave college for professional sports opportunities.