Colorado Buffaloes: Colorado is one of 22 FBS schools to pay student athletes for good grades

In 2020 a federal judge mandated the NCAA to change it’s rules and allow the schools to pay up to $5,980 per year as a reward for good academics. Only 22 out 130 FBS schools are putting this into effect.  34 other teams said they have not decided if they will pay their athletes the bonuses. 20 said they will not give any out this year, but plan to in the near future. 15 said they have no plans for play their athletes academic bonuses. 10 others would not comment either way. The Colorado Buffaloes are one of 22 FBS schools to reward their players this upcoming year.

In the Pac-12 there are 3 schools implementing this: Colorado, Washington, and Oregon. In the ACC Clemson, Miami, and UNC will be paying their players. Wisconsin will be the only Big Ten team joining in. UCONN is the lone Big East team giving out bonuses. Which will start with their mens and women’s basketball teams. They look to add more sports in the future. In the Big 12 Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, and Texas Tech will be rewarding their athletes. Lastly in the SEC Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Missouri will all take part in handing out bonuses for academic performance.

Due to Colorado being one of the 22 schools it can be an asset in the recruitment process as well. Showing they care about their student athletes, and any less financial stress on an athlete is going to allow them to put more time in their craft and in their studies. Especially for athletes that aren’t going to have full scholarships, this can really help take stress off their financial worries so I think it’s a great thing. All athletes should be rewarded for their hard work on and off the field.

It is a surprise that high revenue schools like Ohio State and Alabama are not using these incentives as well. Smaller schools will be understandable as some of them have already written out their budgets and just can’t pull it off this year. However, many of them have stated they will be doing it in the future.

The NIL could be another reason some schools have opted out, as some college athletes are getting paid now. But I think we have to keep in mind not everyone is going to get deals. While many players receive scholarships most are not receiving a full ride. For CU the cost of annual tuition is 12,526. For out of state residents the cost is 40,034 for 2022-2023. Average scholarships will pay tuition but not for out of state and fees at most schools.

Take for instance Colorado’s women’s basketball program. Head coach JR Payne holds academics high in her recruitment process. She takes intelligent women with a want and a will to be the best they can be on and off the court. Knowing that, the type of players she brings in will be a shoe in for academic bonuses. It will also give athletes incentive and motivation to do better in the classroom. I think it’s a great think for college athletics. If schools have the money for it they should reward academics as much as they reward success on the field, court, or any venue.