ABSTRACT
In the ethical context, amateurism is a classic case of virtue ethics because the purpose of amateur athletics is to generate good character along with a sound body. This chapter presents a foundation for understanding the concept and ethics of amateur athletics, with particular focus on intercollegiate athletics and the evolution of the model as it relates to how sports are played, viewed, and promoted. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) passes legislation at annual conventions to foster and protect amateurism. Committees and cabinets, comprised of representatives from institutions, divide oversight of championships, academics, compliance, and other specializations throughout the association. Successful recruiting provides the lifeblood for college athletics. The overriding questions concerning the significance of academic study for many intercollegiate athletes include whether the students attend the universities primarily to play sports and whether the structure of athletics limits the ability for students to earn their degrees.
