Raiders vs. NKU Men’s Basketball Jan. 24 | Photo by Soham Parikh | The Wright State Guardian
Legislation is being passed on the local and national level to allow college athletes to profit from their contributions to their respective universities. Some Wright State University (WSU) student athletes and staff believe that this change is mainly positive but has the potential for conflict if not clearly outlined.
Highlighting the legislation
On July 1, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced an interim policy that allows student athletes from all three NCAA divisions to monetize their name, image and likeness as long as it is consistent with their school’s local and state laws.
Gov. Mike Dewine signed legislation on June 18 that prohibits universities or athletic conferences from punishing student athletes for monetizing their athletic contributions. Therefore, WSU student athletes are legally eligible for this compensation.
WSU student athletes’ opinions
WSU volleyball player Megan Alders is eager to learn more about the new legislation, but has concerns about the distribution of funds.
“I am not opposed to colleges that are profitable compensating their student-athletes, however, I do still believe each athlete should be compensated equally. It takes each one of those athletes to make that team strong enough to bring those fans and generate that revenue. When you play for a team, you play for every single person on that bench. Everyone is a part of that, win or lose,” Alders said.
On the contrary, WSU basketball player Tanner Holden believes that the profitability of athletics will bring forth positive change and professional growth for student athletes.
“Being able to profit from name, image and likeness sets college athletes up for their future after they’re done playing,” Holden said.
WSU coach weighs in
WSU Head Baseball Coach Alex Sogard believes that profitability will enhance the already competitive and professional skills that WSU athletes receive.
“I believe that college athletics is a grand branding avenue for universities and the more successful they are, the more marketing they bring to each university,” Sogard said.
Sogard also asserts that the competitive nature of athletics has mentally prepared athletes for their professional careers.
“I think that sports can help you be successful in life. They teach you how to work together as a team, they teach you struggle, they teach you how to deal with failure and they teach you that if you work hard, you have a chance for success, Just like in the real world. In my opinion, sports help our student-athletes have success once they graduate because they know how to work hard, they know how to deal with struggles and they know how to work on a team. Our student-athletes have become competitive in all that they put their hands on, whether it is on the field or in the classroom,” Sogard said.
