The current institutional structure of intercollegiate athletics is attempting to maximize educational quality and athletic excellence simultaneously. Each of which will inevitably impinge on one another. Universities claim that their athletes are amateurs who are attending college for academic achievement and play sports in their free time. This is an impossible task for anybody. Higher education has entered the arena of big business with its athletic programs and with it many problems have emerged for coaches, athletes, and the athletic system itself. There is systematic corruption. Exploitation and hypocrisy are givens in college athletics. Athletic personnel are mistakenly given the responsibility for academic integrity of student athletes. With this responsibility emerges at best indifference and at worst complicate the corruption in college athletics. There is a huge demand for reform. The critics argue the issue of amateurism versus professionalism in college athletics. They also disagree on the means in which reform should be instigated. Many look towards the government for answers while the NCAA would like to regulate itself. There needs to be resolution somewhere because

There is very little research on actual reform programs. Those that have been implemented are on paper only. This is not a new idea, but the amount of money and popularity generated by this enterprise has overshadowed any progress. The only test for current reforms lies in the future. Only time can tell what that will hold.

The NCAA feels confident that it can reform itself. It has increased the required GPA for freshman to enter university. They have cut finances across the board. This includes a 10% reduction in grants, a cut in coaching staff, a cut in program budgets, and a requirement for institutions to be certified every five years. This certification requires self-examination of its programs under peer review that looks at academic and fiscal integrity, and a commitment to equity. Many feel the NCAA cannot regulate itself, despite its efforts. There is too much big business and corruption within its system.

the integrity of sports is in jeopardy.

I agree with Tom McMillen that the NCAA cannot regulate itself. It has been trying for years, but nothing ever seems to truly change. The NCAA has proposed strong bills such as Proposition 8 and then passed a weaker version. They passed regulations that limit summer play for football and then schedule a Pigskin Classic for August. They say that they are in favor of academia, but slate games across the country in the middle of the school week. I feel that they are hypocritical in their actions and become part of the problem.

Research from a college Sports and Society class found that simply implementing one rule would take care of the problem facing college athletics. It is recommended that division 1 athletes do not have to attend school, while Division 111 remains unchanged, i.e. with no scholarship availabilities. This is essentially professionalizing college athletics in Division 1 schools. College teams would become a simple investment like apartment buildings, real estate, ECT. The members would not have to attend class or carry a specific grade point average. This is the answer to bringing academic integrity back to schools. Colleges would no longer be lowering their standards for athletes. Unprepared and unmotivated athletes are no longer in classrooms. Coaches aren't wasting time calling faculty and they aren't' tempted to help their athletes stay eligible. This will not decrease the number of students getting educated. Those that want an education can do so, but it isn't required. The acts of corruption would c

Some common words found in the essay are:
Collegiate Sports, Raymie McKerrow, Louis Barbash, Knight Commission, Sports Society, Ivy League, Dr Eitzen, Charles Reed, Classic August, African Americans, college athletics, intercollegiate athletics, college sports, academic integrity, ncaa regulate, louis barbash, raymie mckerrow, professionalize sports, division 1, athletic programs,
Approximate Word count = 1684
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)