In his last game in a Colorado Buffaloes football uniform Jeremy Bloom didn't catch a pass, and he ran the ball once for a seven yard loss.

But, despite his lackluster performance in the 2003 Big 12 Championship game, Bloom, a sophomore was expected by many to be an integral part of the Buffaloes offense and special teams units for the next two years.

 Until the NCAA stepped in.

Bloom isn't your ordinary student athlete. By age 20 the Colorado native had already made the Colorado football roster, signed with a modeling agency and competed in the Olympics. Bloom's success off the field however, proved too good to be true. Because Bloom received endorsement money from sponsors of the U.S. Ski Team, to pay for equipment, trainers, and other expenses associated with a lavish Olympic sport, the NCAA has ruled he is no longer an amateur.

Despite months of legal wrangling, and Bloom even offering his skiing paycheck to charity the NCAA hasn't budged. Now two full seasons since Bloom has taken the gridiron he is contemplating entering the 2006 NFL draft - stirring up controversy among college sports fans and athletes who are split on the idea of abolishing amateurism in college athletics.

Regardless of external sources of income, some believe college athletes should be paid for dedication to their sport.

"Being on a college sports team is like having a job," MSU track distance runner Phil Marlatt said.. "First you practice over 20 hours a week, then you have meets, team meetings, it's so time consuming that you can't go out and get a part time job."

Some argue that paying college athletes is unnecessary because many already receive money in the form of scholarships.

"If you get a scholarship, you could use your savings, or your parents could help you pay for living expenses," former MSU swimmer Ajit Sandhu said.

Marlatt disagrees with Sandhu's notion that scholarships are enough for some athletes.

"Scholarships don't cover everything, what happens when you want to go out and get some food?" Marlatt said. "You don't have money, because you don't have a job, and you don't have a job because you don't have time to work." "Yeah it would be awesome if we [athletes] got paid, we deserve it, but it is not going to happen because we have to be Amateurs. I don't know why the word Amateur means so much to the NCAA" Marlatt said.

Sandhu, who was a walk on to the MSU swim team in 2003, was supported by his parents for tuition as well as living expenses. But, not all student athletes have financial support like Sandhu did.

In 2002 nine Georgia football players sold their SEC championship rings valued at $350 dollars, and other forms of memorabilia because they said to have needed quick cash. Fred Gibson in particular sold his ring to help pay for the vandalism damage to his car, estimated at $1000. As a result, Gibson, and his fellow entrepreneurs were suspended for trying to make ends meat. After the suspension, Gibson cited the University of Georgia's hypocrisy as they were making money off of Gibson's jersey sales. By NCAA law Gibson was prohibited from earning money from licensing deals.

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS

Most Division I schools have more than twenty varsity sports teams. While only a handful of those varsity sports (primarily football, hockey, men's and women's basketball) generate money - in some cases it is enough to fund an entire athletic department.

In 2005 Michigan State football had over 70,000 fans attending every home game - meaning they sold over 70,000 tickets. With tickets ranging from $41 for regular games, and $71 dollars for premium games the university makes nearly $ 4 million on each home game - without factoring in luxury box prices or online ticket surcharges.

Michigan State also receives money through multi-million dollar uniform sponsorships with Nike and others. Not to mention local and national television contracts with ABC, ESPN and ESPN Plus. This postseason alone, six Big Ten football teams are set to play in six bowl games with payouts in excess of $34 million.

"At the ground level each year Michigan State is just above breaking even," Associate Athletic Director Mark Hollis said. Hollis added while the athletic department breaks about even, parking, concessions and licensing sales revenue are all used to support the university, which is common practice across the nation.

NO CLEAR CUT SOLUTION

Universities do make money off of athletics, and some players like Gibson do feel exploited but there is no easy solution that will solve Gibson, or Bloom's problems with amateurism.

"If players are paid they would not be amateurs, there would be a lot in order to make that type of change," MSU NCAA Compliance coordinator Holly Baumgartner said. "A proposal would need to be submitted through the conference, and then there is a long path. NCAA members would vote then different boards of directors; it would take a long time."

Baumgartner refused to comment on whether she thinks major Universities like Michigan State are currently exploiting athletes, but did say there is no current legislation to change NCAA amateurism laws. Hollis added that he didn't think players were being exploited but feels more can be done to help student athletes who may be struggling financially.

"There should be some sort of stipend in place for students who need the money, but are unable to get a job because of the time spent in athletics."

The NCAA currently has a media assistance fund as Hollis called it, to provide "welfare athletes" with items like warm winter clothing or other items that cannot afford because they do not have jobs. However, Hollis does not believe athletes should be paid in the form of regular paychecks.

"The NCAA should not permit on campus athletes to get paid as if they are at the professional level," Hollis said. "This is their ground to prove they should earn revenue as a professional athlete." Before the 2006 NFL draft, Bloom will have to prove himself elsewhere.

Jon Gunnells is a Michigan State journalism junior and a prep sports reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Support his cause and check back daily and add comments as Jon tries to become a finalist for the Next Great Sports Writer only on foxsports.com