The problems faced by college athletics range from the athlete becoming "professionalized" to the weight placed on the "scoreboard" to the commercialism of college sports. Until the NCAA and individual colleges' athletic departments can formulate a plan to "de-professionalize" or, on the other hand, "professionalize" college athletics, a problem will exist between college athletes and the academic institution they represent.
             The individual athletes who make up collegiate athletic teams have been given the responsibility of carrying his or her college's economic well-being. For an athlete to be deemed eligible by the NCAA, he or she must be an amateur, a student admitted in accordance with the regular published entrance requirements, in good academic standing as determined by the standards for all other students, and whose progress to a degree is satisfactory according to the acceptable standards of the institution. Also, these "competitive athletic programs of the colleges are designed to be a vital part of the educational system" and the athlete "may accept scholarships... from his institution" (Cross 68-69).
             "If participation in athletics is a worthwhile educational experience... then fostering these opportunities by financial aid" does not become the main intention for the athlete's participation. If colleges require the individual to be a student before he or she can be a participant, college athletics will gain more support. "To permit the student element to be ignored distorts the educational functions of the member institutions" (Cross 70).
             In response to these rules instated by the NCAA, the "amateur-professional athletic dilemma developed." If a college had "truly amateur sport," it would not put as much emphasis on the "scoreboard" and therefore lose its prestige. If a college recognized &...