Picture a gymnast at a small school. She gets a full ride, a world-class education, and coaching worth thousands a year. She graduates debt-free. The debate over "paying" college athletes usually assumes players are poor victims, but they already receive compensation: tuition, room, board, tutoring, and a platform to go pro. So let's define "paid" first—if we mean a salary beyond that, we're changing the framework entirely. College sports exist to serve education, not employment. The moment athletes become paid employees, they're no longer students first. They'd lose amateur status, face contracts, and get cut when they underperform. The scholarship is the payment, and it's tied to a degree—something that lasts long after injuries end a career. Paying players would destroy the balance that makes college sports fair. Few programs turn a profit, and the money would only flow to football and basketball stars, leaving everyone else behind. The current system isn't perfect, but it's the right foundation.

[No submission - Time expired]