Should college athletes be paid? Quotes from former players, officials

“I don’t think athletes are being exploited. I think there’s a symbiotic relationship there. Without the university platform for them to compete, there is no exposure for them. None. So that experience alone and that opportunity creates the platform for them, for visibility. I just think the money issue has clouded what the real purpose is, regardless of where the money is coming from and how much is coming in. I want the whole story to be told about the value of an education and put dollars to that.”

Judy Rose,

athletics director,

Charlotte 49ers

“You go to Chapel Hill and try to go to a Carolina-Duke game, good luck trying to find a ticket. It’s nationally televised. There’s so much money that goes behind just one basketball game. I do think the players from both sides should definitely see some type of benefit.”

Marvin Williams,

former UNC-Chapel Hill

basketball player

“I’m fearful that the courts, our autonomy and our own governance structure is moving us away from what we have called the collegiate model for the last 50 years and more toward a professional model or more toward the Olympic model. And what that will do, in my opinion, is channel more resources to fewer people.”

Bubba Cunningham,

UNC-Chapel Hill

athletics director

“It makes sense that they should have money, but the idea of it is a little scary to me. One thing I’ve thought of would be setting it aside for them after they leave college. To me that would make the most sense, after they’re out of their amateur status.”

Gerald Henderson,

former Duke University

basketball player

“There’s no more money. Everybody is working as hard as they can to generate as much revenue as humanly possible and all, but a handful of schools operate in the red.”

Steve Patterson,

University of Texas

athletics director

This story was originally published October 11, 2014 at 9:15 PM with the headline "Should college athletes be paid? Quotes from former players, officials."