SPORTS WERE MADE for entertainment; however, as professional sports are run like businesses, college sports win the fans’ hearts.
Ryan Johnson, junior, said he prefers college sports to pro sports.
“The college athletes have more passion and that makes it more fun to watch,” Johnson said.  “I don’t like how many pro teams are run more like a business, and some owners are just in it for the money.”
I agree with him, but I don’t think schools should pay athletes ridiculous sums of money.  Yes, many college athletes go to school on scholarships, but with going to school and training full time, they can’t make any extra money for themselves.  If schools gave the athletes money for food, and a few luxuries, I’m sure the athletes wouldn’t be selling their jerseys for money.
College sports continue to gain popularity.  Because college athletes aren’t paid to play, people think the athletes play for the love of the game, whereas many professional athletes play for the money.
“I think college athletes should get paid,” Johnson said.  “The schools are using the players to make money.”
Because of the popularity of sports, the competition to become an athlete in college has heavily increased.  The competition and dedication surrounding college athletics pushes many people away from participating in college sports; however, this puts the most dedicated athletes on the rosters and adds to the viewership across the nation.
Keith Greishaber, junior, plans to live the life of a college athlete at the University of Arkansas, where he will pursue his dream to become a professional baseball player.
“In college I will have to work as hard as I can to make my dream a reality,” Greishaber said.  “It will take time and a lot of hours of training and practice.”
College is a critical time in a person’s life, and I think playing a sport in college can benefit a person.
“At Arkansas I will develop as a player.  I will create friendships and compete for a National Championship,” Greishaber said.  “I don’t think there will be any cons to playing baseball in college as long as I continue to grow and invest my life in the sport.”
Many people say college is the best four years of a person’s life.
Greishaber said college would more likely be the four most productive years of his life more than being the four most fun years of his life.
“In college not only will I grow as a baseball player, but also I will grow as a person,” Greishaber said.  “I’ll have to learn to live on my own and be more mature.”
For pro sports to gain more of my respect, players need to stop worrying about the paycheck and play for the love of the game.