Some say college sports is all about the money.
"Any other student can start a business, get jobs, start a business, start Facebook, make a billion dollars but if an athlete gets $2 dollars for a hamburger, we say that they're dirty," said author Taylor Branch.
Branch is one of the leading voices in the movement to overhaul big time college athletics. He argued that players are exploited and become slaves to universities and the NCAA.
"The university doesn't have to pay anybody," said Branch. "I'm saying we shouldn't demonize students for seeking their livelihood."
UNC hosted the panel with its own athletic scandal still fresh. Tarheel football has been tarnished by NCAA infractions for academic fraud and improper benefits.
UNC's president emeritus has been one of the biggest critics of the current state of college athletics.
"It's a long journey because it's been a long time getting to where we are and the abuses are well known," said Dr. William Friday. "The question is who's got the courage to change it."
"It's easy to talk about creating change and seeing things happen is a little bit harder," said UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham.
The school's football program is still waiting to find out its punishment from the NCAA.
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