College athletics have undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, particularly when it comes to how student-athletes can benefit financially from their performance on the field.
During a March 26 hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, former basketball player Collis Temple Jr. urged lawmakers to rethink how success is defined for college athletes. He argued that achievement shouldn’t be measured solely by reaching the professional sports level.
Instead, he said, student-athletes who complete their education can go on to become “professionals” in fields such as science, education, and public service—careers that offer long-term stability and impact….