OJ Mayo Supposedly Accepted Cash, but Paying College Athletes Is Not the Answer

In light of the alleged acceptance of gifts and cash by former USC guard O.J. Mayo, some talking heads have suggested that college athletes should get paid. Others say that they are compensated with a free education.

I think the most culpable party in most of these situations is the university itself.  USC has had two of these type of alleged incidents involving their athletes recently (Reggie Bush of course being the other). 

The other common denominator in these two situations is the fact that both Bush and Mayo were on their way to pros when the allegations came out.  Mayo has of course declared for June's NBA Draft and should be a lottery pick.  Seems to be too late to really discipline the specific player.

I have also thought that the media coverage of this Mayo thing has been a little excessive.  I can basically promise you that college kids get stuff on the side, probably even during the recruiting process. 

How else would you explain Kansas State, not exactly a college basketball powerhouse, getting a talented kid the caliber of Michael Beasley?  You can't tell me some of the bigger college basketball programs weren't recruiting Beasley.  But maybe his high-school grades weren't up to par to get into some of those schools. 

My point is that college athletes in the higher revenue sports, i.e football and basketball, probably see some reward on the side from program boosters, alumni, etc. 

Should they? You could make an argument that they should, for the money they make the athletic department and the university as a whole at the more successful programs.  

I don't think that paying college athletes is the answer, however.   Universities should maintain a higher ethical standard, though I realize some don't so that their athletic programs will seem to be more successful, at least in wins and losses on the field of play.  

But it occurs to me that academic standards, and thus graduation rates, for NCAA athletes are a joke.  That needs to be changed. 

Part of the blame may lie in the NBA's recent rule change that a player can no longer enter the NBA Draft directly from high school.  Many of the better players enter college with no intent on staying four years and graduating.