Ed on Paying College Athletes

Wow, what a topic!  I don't begin to understand the complex array of issues on this topic but that doesn't keep me from having an opinion!  And, I would say you have to pay them.  Some how some way.  And yes, that will come at the detriment to a post secondary educational system that is lagging other countries.  We are slipping farther and farther from the top.  But to not face the fact that colleges and universities are making millions and millions of dollars on these athletes just isn't right.  They have rights and a free education isn't a fair trade for what they create for the schools where they choose to display their talents.  I don't know how to recast the system, but as it exists today is just doesn't work. Surely we have some smart people out there who can recreate a better system that rewards athletes and yet preserves (and hopefully elevates) the academic rigor that will enable the USA to continue to be the very best post-secondary education of choice in the world today.