Quackon:  Indeed, athletic scholarships do give some students an opportunity to attend college who, otherwise, would not be able to do so.  The athletes are required to attend class and maintain an academic standard.  They also receive academic support with the famous (infamous) Jaqua Academic Center for Athletes.  Across the country thousands of young men and women receive college educations because of their athletic skills.  Those scholarships are paid for by the Intercollegiate Athletics Department and supported by all the different revenue streams which support college sports.  

Those male athletes (primarily in football and basketball) are very easy targets since, indeed, many of them do not have strong high school academic backgrounds.  However, I think the bulk of them profit from their college experience and education and are  better off because of it.  However,, there are also issues which arise.....often social and behavioral in nature.  not a simple issue.....Gary Crum