In light of the recent, devastating injury that Louisville star, Kevin Ware, sustained in the elite eight game against Duke last week, I feel it is necessary to explore the repercussions of his injury and the role of the NCAA in his recovery and for injured athletes across the country. To fully comprehend the impact of this injury on his future, it’s critical to have an understanding of the way scholarships work within the NCAA. At the Division I level, athletes who earn scholarships are usually on a year-to-year basis, however the NCAA has allowed some multi-year scholarships to blue chip recruits. That being said, a scholarship can be increased, decreased, renewed, or even taken away contingent upon a student-athlete’s success both on the court and in the classroom, as evaluated by the coaching staff each year. In that regard, a season-ending injury sustained by a student-athlete in a revenue earning sport, such as basketball, at the Division I level, can potentially end scholarship, and even academic hopes for these college students.
For years, controversy has swirled around the NCAA and its revenue making March Madness tournament, which this year has already generated over $1 billion dollars. Current and former student-athletes, NCAA Critics, and parents alike have questioned why the student-athletes who are generating this revenue, are not being monetarily compensated for their efforts? The debate regarding paying student-athletes is a double-edged sword, however. While student-athletes may receive a “free” education per se and other perks, they do not receive workers compensation for injuries sustained while playing and if injured, sometimes have to bear the costs of their injuries, especially down the road. It is well-known, that receiving any other benefits outside of the scholarship is a direct NCAA violation and will result in major penalties. And while some may argue that paying student-athletes would wreck the sanctity that is amateur athletics, rather than paying them, it has been suggested the NCAA should offer them the same negotiation and labor rights provided to nearly every other employed American. NCAA President Mark Emmert notes on his welcome page in regards to pay for play,“As long as I’m president of the NCAA, we will not pay student-athletes to play sports. Compensation for students is just something I’m adamantly opposed to. We’re providing athletes with world-class educations and world-class opportunities. If they are one of the few that are going to move on to become a pro athlete, there’s no better place in the world to refine their skills as a student-athlete.” Though he makes a valid point, he does not address the mounting topic surrounding injuries and star athletes in this business. It’s amazing to think that nothing is owed nor guaranteed (because the NCAA Catastrophic Insurance does not necessarily cover every injury) for injured student-athletes, who are bringing potential millions to these universities.
According to its website, the NCAA was “Founded more than one hundred years ago as a way to protect student-athletes, the NCAA continues to implement that principle with increased emphasis on both athletics and academic excellence.” The question at hand now is how does the NCAA intend to protect its student athletes in their endeavors both athletically and academically, if they sustain a career ending injury? How do they expect students to pay for colleges that are upwards of $50,000 a year without a scholarship and no prospect of making any money? The solution is a grave one, but only time will tell if student-athletes are willing to take a stand against the NCAA to protect their rights.
