Student-athletes are predominantly an American concept. Becoming a professional athlete through college sports is considered the conventional and “right” way. Talented high school seniors are scouted and courted by colleges. They then have to prove that they are pro material in order to be offered a professional contract; at least some of them. In fact, fewer than 2% of them end up turning pro. Nonetheless, student-athletes are considered some of the most privileged people on campus. In some aspects they are. They become recognizable, popular and people line up to watch them compete. But how “privileged” are they, really?
This month at the Money Smart Athlete Blog, we turn to the American tradition we call college sports and its protagonists: student-athletes. We will discuss international student-athletes who form a formidable minority of college sports and the unique challenges they face. We will explore the social and emotional challenges student-athletes face and we will also hear about the college experience of student-athletes from a former soccer student-athlete. Finally, as last year the US Supreme Court ruled in favour of college athletes capitalizing on their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), we will explain the implications of that decision on the lives of student-athletes.
Athena P. Constantinou
E-mail: [email protected]
