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Show By JAPHETH PLEASANT Investigative Reporter With NCAA revenue increasing yearly, student-athletes still struggle with everyday life. Although athletes receive scholarships each semester, the money goes to school and housing, leaving athletes with virtually no money to buy food, clothing and live everyday lives. “For someone who is on their own, it can be really tough. When I stayed at school over the summer while everyone went home, those were the hardest times,” said NBA point guard and Weber State legend Damian Lillard in a phone interview. Not all scholarships are full rides, four years or for every athlete. Scholarships are renewed every year. If a coach feels like a players value to his/her team has waned, then the scholarship can simply be taken away, even though that athlete was promised a “full 4-year scholarship.” Unfortunately, when athletes lose their athletic scholarships, they then have to figure out how they are going to pay for their education. In many cases, student-athletes will be forced to go back home and begin working while going to a two-year junior college. Weber State’s freshman running back David Jones explained that some weeks he barely has enough money to get McChicken’s from McDonalds for dinner. After paying for rent, clothing and food, athletes can struggle to make ends meet. On top of that, since they are forced to take 12-15 credits, they don’t have time to get a job on the side. “I only got $370 a month. In season, it was enough because we would get expensed for food while we were on road trips,” former basketball player Zharia Hale said. “Sometimes our road trips would last four days if we have multiple away games that week. Off season is a different story. I feel bad for the football players that get around the same money and have to eat Sodexo in the cafeteria after practice every day, just to save money.” Over the past few years, the NCAA has been knee deep in lawsuits due to the issue of student-athletes not feeling like they are compensated fairly. In the case of Jason White v. National Collegiate Athletic Association in 2008, multiple players argued that the scholarships did not cover enough of the fees that they have to pay in order to remain enrolled in a university (tuition, books, housing and meals). The decision ultimately ruled in the athletes favor, ensuring that on top of the amenities that scholarships can cover and giving athletes health insurance. In 2006, USC star running back Reggie Bush was stripped of his Heisman Trophy due to receiving gifts and benefits while he was a student-athlete. USC was also forced to vacate all wins between 2004 and 2005, including a BCS National Championship, and placed on four-year probation period. In another case, six payers on the Ohio State football team were suspended for the 2011 season for exchanging championship apparel for tattoos. The NCAA suspended the six athletes for the first five games, including standout Terrelle Pryor, who has played for several NFL teams and is currently a free agent. Former Weber State student-athlete Devin Pugh’s case was similar in that he was also arguing for more security from a financial standpoint. Pugh argued for multiyear scholarships that all included benefits. Now, Division 1 schools are allowed to offer multi-year scholarships. However, it is rare, due to the risk of wasting a scholarship. The common theme in all of these cases is that the NCAA is violating federal antitrust laws. Concerns raised include if the NCAA agreed to extend scholarship funding to include medical benefits, what and how long would it take before they start giving all athletes fair compensation for their labor, not just the star players? MyWeberMedia.com | December 7, 2018 | 13 KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR As many know, this is not just a recent issue in the NCAA. This has been going on for decades upon decades. “It was frustrating to win championship after championship every year, hear thousands chant my name, and then go to my bedroom to count my change so I coul buy a burger,” said Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in an article he wrote for The Please see ATHLETES, 14 Sophomore running back David Jones BELLA TORRES | The Signpost |