A SAMPLING OF YOUR RESPONSES:
No, The economy is terrible, gas prices are out of this world, everything seems to have went up! Unfortunatly, my pay check is the one thing that has not went up!!! With this tax my paycheck would go down, not much but still down. Right now i just feel TAXED TO DEATH!!! I don't think the user fee is fair!!! Charleston is the capitol city, most of the MAJOR businesses or employers are located within the city limits. With the economy the way it is, we don't really have a choice of what locality our place of employment just happens to be in. We have to work, and being taxed for WHERE WE WORK just some how does not seem fair. It is almost like Charleston knows they have the MONOPOLY of employment and wants to take advantage of the hard working West Virginians who live outside the city limits. They want those people to pay for the improvements to the city, in which they do not live, but simply commute, to make a livleyhood!
Diane Duncan, South Charleston
As long as they continue to act and behave like mature adults, they do not take for granted their position and also that they remember they will be role models for millions of children.
Kitty Thomas, Liberty
I think schooling should come first. As wonderful as athletics is, education should be top priority here. That way they have something to fall back on, and it allows them time to grow gradually, perhaps even learn some more skills during the college seasons and perfect their game. Sports are wonderful, and their minds should be as finely tuned as their body. If they must play, then yes they should get paid, but not as much as professional players. Consider it motivation to finish college, as well a certain fairness to the players who are doing this as their profession. That way the college players have money for tuition and other things, but still know that once they have finished their education that they will get paid more when going pro and also have something to fall back on when/if something happens they can't play anymore.
Kate Lawson, Luray
We have cut PE classes in a lot of our schools in America which cuts out the only exercise some kids get all day. I think sports should be cut in every school, from elementary thru college & replaced {for best use of the $} with PE classes which would include ALL children & young adults!
Virginia, Tillamook
They are getting an education so why should they be getting a pay check from it too.
Jessica, Charleston
They are paid; with scholarships that include tuition and books. That is more than most college students receive. The problem is that they are often in it for the money, chasing money, rather than a sport or even an education. Take the scholarships away and see how many would stay around--few, if any. And the problem is not money. The problem is that we all, including fans, have lost sight of the sportsmanship of the game and started focusing on wins and loses rather than the experience.
Christopher Sizemore, Charleston
No Way. Athletics should be the last thing a college needs to worry about. Schools are going down hill anyway, because they worry more about whether or not a professor is working on research than professors who are good educators. There should be no athletics in college. Universities are meant for places of learning, not places for playing sports.
Joe Clarkson, Ripley
Yes, they work very hard at it, they should get paid to play.
Betty Janice Dooley, Charleston
These people are there first and foremost to get an education.Some players are there on a sports scholarshipthat should be pay enough.
Harold Lockard, Goody KY
The athletes main goal is to go to school so they can better themselves. Not to make money by playing sports. Let them play all they want, but their pay is their education.
Susan Garretson, St. Albans
A college athelete plays a sport as an elective activity that can help them strive towards becoming pro and making the big money. Of course we can't assume all college athletes aren't getting paid.(Maurice Clarett)
Heath Bloxton, Ravenswood
That beats the whole purpose of college athletics if you ask me, they are supposed to be getting an education.
Robert Jackson, Big Johnson
The athletes are not allowed to get paid. Because athletes are good at sports.
Justyn, Kermit
that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!
Larry W Chapman II, Charleston
Isnt an education and all their equipment they receive payment enough
Matt, St. Albans
As a college athlete myself, I dont think so. If you get money, you tend to spend it in places you dont need to. Some college athletes aren't responsible enough. I've been to two colleges now, and have played soccer, basketball, and baseball, and I needed money at times, but I made due. Coming from a college athlete standpoint, I dont think so.
Josh Sanders, Hometown-Gallipolis, Ohio-College-Circleville,OH
I do not believe that college athletes should get paid. I think it would ruin college athletics. It is bad enough when some turn pro and believe they can get by with anything. There has to be rules and strict penalties for their actions.
Patty Stover, Red House
I would think that if I am getting a free ride thru school, then NO I don't deserve a paycheck. Take a few minutes to get a job at McDonald's. Especilly for the ones that can't run or catch as good as Forrest Gump. At least he worked at getting an education not a paycheck.
Craigo, Nitro
college players are there for education, if not what do they do after football. I dont think grants,etc, are for paying them to play, they well them further their education.
Loretta Stapler, Cabin Creek, Wv
The average student athlete that just wants to play sports while in college would not get any playing time. There would too much pressure to be a superstar athlete and the education goals would suffer.
Edwina Waybright, Ripley
They already get paid enough, their education is free and if they are good enough, the big money will come later.
Alan Swiger, London
College is about academics, not sports. Faring well academically leads to a good job with good pay, at least in theory. If a student athlete wants to get paid for playing, then they need to play well enough to get drafted by a professional team. Otherwise, get a job like the rest of us.
Jerome, Mason
A majority of the players already do. Scholarships are no different than being paid to play! And on top of that there is much more cost to support a scholarship athlete than an academic scholarship!
James Sibold, So Charleston
I think its a good idea to pay millions of dollars to 18 year old kids with talent. Can you think of all the smart decisions they will make with all that money? Women, drugs, parties, booze ect. This is great for our economy to have immature 18 year old's with million dollar contracts.
Todd A., Florida
It would hurt smaller colleges. Recruiting would go to the school with more money. It would also take the love of the sport out of it. You can see that in The NFL.
Eric Null, Cross lanes
Absolutly not!!!
Christie Conley, Amherstdale
My feelings are they are there for an education, if they are good enough to go pro, then pay them. I also do not think that athletes should be able to leave college for pro positions. I feel they should finish out their education, no matter how much money they could be making. Mike Vick is a SUPER athlete, one of the best I've ever seen, but I can't help but think he'd still be playing and not injured if he would only have stayed in college and graduated. More years in college and it toughens them up for the pros. These kids want the $$$$ and I can't blame them one bit, but I do not agree with it. Thank you for letting me voice my opinion.
Carla Kennedy, Charleston
They are already paid in the form of room, board and tuition, travel around the country, special help with academics, a state of the art gym at their disposal and I am sure I'm overlooking other perks.
jean ann robison, oklahoma city
If they pay the athletes, then the students in the medical programs that have clinicals, etc should also be paid. At least they are performing a service.
Elizabeth Stollings, Chapmanville
The universities are making tons of money off of these amature athletes. It would probably keep more kids in school and would definately enhance college atletics in several sports!
Mark Morris, Saint Albans
They should only get paid if they are playing for a professional team.
Beth, Beckley
they spend all there time goin to school and practicing, they should get paid to help with there expenses, The school makes money off of their talent and they should get some of that.
Crystle Webb, Huntington
As long they are not playing any school sports and they give up their money that is given to them to pay for school. The money they make waould be like me working and going to school.
Willis Tomblin, Jackson, ohio
Absolutely NOT. 'Scholarship' is PAY.
Kasie, Monterey, CA
Playing college sports is not a licensed or contracted profession. It's just a very important extra-curricular activity that many students voluntarily participate in.
Eamon Ghaziaskar, Westerville
Why not ? If the school is making millions off athletes , then I say the atheles deserve apiece of the pie.
Johnny Lee Alcatraz, Charleston
For revenue producing sports such as football and basketball, everyone is getting rich except the players. The NCAA, the schools, the coaches, the television networks, even the local sporting goods stores that sell player's jerseys. The Olympics used to promote amatuerism as well until it became obviously to everyone that is was hipocritical. Universities should allow players to be compensated fairly istead of continuing to fake the big 'student athlete' lie.
Mike Barber, Hurricane
The schools should pay the players, as they are making money.
William Spence, Hurricane
I believe it's good enough that they are recieving a free education, unlike the majority of us.
Amy, Charleston
I think they should get paid. I mean they do all the school work to keep up their grades then they play for the school so the school looks better.
Kaitlyn, Lesage
They should let athletics get pay every game thy play in ohio.
Richard Santek, Stockport Ohio
I am an ex-female athlete- Marshall University Volleyball Team. My hard work, travel, practice time took up my whole life. It's not seasonal, its a committment. Athletes miss out on a lot of fun that traditional students get.
Melissa J. Hill, Chesapeake
No, I don't think college athletes should get paid. College is a place of learning. I did not like the fact that my tutition was going to help help pay for someone else's education that really didn't care about it to begin with.
Brian, Charleston
I beleive that college athletes should be paid, not the big time saleries of a professional athlete but a decent income for what they provide to the school, i belive that they should at least be pais the amount that they would make at a decent part time job, one that they do not have time to have because of their practice and game schedule.
Ben Kallenbach, Niagara Wisconsin
college athletes get full paid scholarships that are worth thousands of dollars. nothing is more valuble than an education.
Stephanie, Hiram
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