1. Eddie Vanderdoes 2. Matt Dickerson 3. Ed O'Bannion and 4. Romogi Huma Just what we need a union for college football players. http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/10363430/outside-lines-northwestern-wildcats-football-players-trying-join-labor-union :evil:
Who's to say the NATIONAL COLLEGE PLAYERS ASSOCIATION is limited to football players? Or revenue-generating sports?? Why not these: • Men's, women's and mixed skiing • Men's and women's swimming and diving • Men's and women's indoor track and field • Wrestling • Baseball and softball • Men's and women's golf • Men's and women's lacrosse • Rowing • Men's and women's tennis • Men's and women's outdoor track and field • Men's volleyball • Women's water polo • Men's and women's cross-country • Field hockey • Football • Men's and women's soccer teams • Women's volleyball • Men's water polo • Men's and women's basketball teams • Bowling • Fencing • Men's and women's gymnastics • Men's and women's ice hockey • Men's, women's and mixed rifle Yeah, this is a great move for college athletics.
That's just wonderful. I think the Engineering students should do the same thing, after all they have to take more difficult courses than many other majors. Then Doctors, Lawyers etc. Ain't it great.
Maybe the dividing line are those that receive scholarships? Are those on academic scholarships employees of the school as well? How about those on pell grants? Why are the athletes the only ones included as a protected class? Hell, they already get more exposure for their future, preferred careers (how many Mathematics Majors get their tournaments televised?) and now they get MORE protection? Sweet!
I just don't know how they are going to do something for revenue generating sports, which is pretty much football and in a few instances (Duke/Kentucky,etc) basketball and not for everybody else. I'd love to be the lawyer representing top female soccer/basketball/softball/track athletes when they don't get any extra money even though they are AA's or world class and a bench warmer who never letters gets money because football generates some money.
Ah to be a female athlete just waiting for the big bad union to get big bucks for the boys. Then because of Title IX they'll be in the money too :roll:
Agreed on all points.. It reminds me of the old Radiohead song... something about 'You do it to yourself.' The time to speak up was a long time ago. Now, it's just trying to limit the damage.
First things first. Exactly what do they want? Better working conditions (# days per week, # hours per day, etc)? Better medical coverage (at school expense)? Compensation? Guarantee of scholarship vs. one year at a time? I can see the last point being a legitimate issue, but what other "issues" would be legitimate? I foresee this as being a very entertaining situation as student-athletes try to convince schools and the public, and eventually the courts, that they have gripes which require union representation. I can't wait to see the union bring an issue before a judge to see how he/she would rule.
Not that anyone asked, and I'm sure our legal eagles here are far more qualified to speak toward this than I, but my 2 cents on the situation are: -It'll never work. -The linchpin is the term and designation of employees. -I learned long ago to be careful what you wish for, and the players are viewing this through a very narrow tunnel vision. That has obfuscated their view for the bigger picture of what an employee really is. -Just because you unionize, doesn't mean the company has to hire you. I think you'll find that the bastions of college football are not exactly 'union friendly' states these days. -If they pay you, then your scholarship goes bye bye. Good luck paying for that $50,000 a year tuition on your $15 an hour. -In the end, I believe the courts will rule that they are not employees. There is nothing that separates them in definition of role from interns or other similar academic assistant positions. This may get expensive. This may wind up with pissed off people all over the place. I just don't see it working. I refuse to get upset about this because the NCAA did this to themselves, so I'll enjoy watching them wriggle their way out of it.
They could make the arguement that they are employees and that their "pay" is thier scholarship. Of course then they'd probably have to pay income tax on the value of the scholarship. At that point, it probably won't be such a good idea.
For everyone who thought it was a good idea to pay these kids to entertain you, above and beyond a free $250,000 education with tons of perks, you may get your wish after all.
I'm sorry George I missed what you were saying as I write my sons tuition fee for college along with the apartment rental check and his grocery allowance. What is this charge for Kegmeister's ??????
:roll: The founder of this organization is Ramogi Huma, who is also a graduate of Bishop Amat High School. Just one more reason to hate Bishop Amat...