Maggie's Farm

I hear arguments in favor of pay to play similar to Becker's (as quoted at length by Somin) over and over again on ESPN, which is obviously self-serving for a sports network. However, I think Becker's statement argues the case more strongly AGAINST paying college athletes and FOR abolishing big time college sports entirely, since the present charade is not only inequitable but also morally repugnant. Abolishing the present system would end the unfair exploitation of young athletes, but also (more beneficially for the country) "cleanse the souls" of our colleges and universities by ending their practice of admitting students who are academically unqualified and recruited only for their athletic abilities. Paying college athletes is giving in to, instead of resisting, the corruption of higher education by big money interests. Professional football and professional basketball need to follow the approach of professional baseball and establish their own minor leagues instead of relying on colleges to serve as their farm teams. Big time colleges need to do the right thing by returning to their primary mission, which is higher education....not higher rankings in the BCS or in the basketball brackets during March Madness.