Let me set the scene:
I walked into my media ethics class just like any other day. I am the only athlete majoring in Sports Media because it’s very involved. I sat down at my desk and was minding my own business because quite frankly, I don’t care to get in a debate over ethical issues that don’t involve me or bore me. This time was different. My professor began talking about something I was actually interested in.
The college recruiting process and how coaches seem one way but turn out to be huge tools once you’ve committed to the team. You’re probably ready for me to go on a rant about how much I hate my coach…..that’s for another day. It actually has to do with the ignorant girls who sit to the right of me.
My professor asked if it was okay for athletes to hate their coaches when deceived while being recruited. When visiting on unofficial or even official visits, coaches put on a big show to sell athletes on their respective universities. But the reality is, it’s never like that once you get there. So, enter the blonde who has to be in every debate….
“It’s perfectly fine…they basically get everything paid for so they should have to deal with it.”
I’m sitting there and thinking about what she said. I’m a little bothered, but refrain from saying anything. Next comes the brunette strategic communication major that has to throw in her two cents.
“How I see it is, you should know what you’re getting into. They live on a pedestal and there’s a price to pay for that. If I could have worked out and played a sport just to pay to go to college, I mean just sign me up.”
Alright, I’m mad. She thinks it’s so easy to be an athlete and says she would if she could. Well I can tell you the reason she can’t is because she’s not dedicated enough. For the finale, enter the SGA president (go figure):
“I just don’t think athletes who are on scholarships realize what they have. College isn’t cheap. I hear and see things about athletes complaining about practice or being tired, hello at least you don’t worry about how you’re going to eat dinner or how to pay for tuition. It’s just sick.”
Then, I walk to the front of the classroom to officially join the debate.
The following is exactly what I said to them all before walking out in a fury.
“It’s not fine. I am persuaded by false advertisements to attend an institution I think is going to be everything I’ve ever wanted it to be. But it’s not. Unfortunately, it’s part of the recruiting process and athletes are aware of it, but that doesn’t make it okay.”
One down. Two to go.
“We do live on a pedestal, but we never asked for it. It’s stingy writers like yourself who love to see us fail rather than succeed. You will write any story to make or break us. You say if you could play a sport in college you would. Yet, there’s a reason you’re not. That answer is probably because you were never really good at anything. You probably have never worked out a day in your life and you’re not nearly as capable as me to be an athlete, so take a back seat.
Two down. One to go.
“Quite honestly, there is some truth to what you say. Some athletes may not realize everything we’re offered. We have paid tuition, free meals, academic services to help accommodate for classes, I mean we have a lot of things. But that doesn’t mean we don’t deserve it. We bust our butts on and off the field to make things happen. I guarantee — I would even put my scholarship on it — that you three wouldn’t last one week in my shoes. So don’t question if I deserve everything I have gotten or if I should be put through some of the things I do because in some situations I should have to deal with it and others not so much. But never disrespect me or an athlete for something we’ve worked so hard for, because the grind is something you will never understand.”
END SCENE.
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