Northwestern University
Ellie Seemueller
Mrs. Peters
English 112 - 4B
1 April 2014
Employee or Athlete?
Since the beginning of time, athletes have poured their heart and soul into the sport they work so hard for day after day, year after year. Athletes’ love and talent for the game will bring them to a college where they can perform their capacity and power. At the Division I level, it is more or less a business field, and it is the athlete’s job is to draw in a profit for the college. Lately, a controversial question has come up because of Northwestern University football just outside of Chicago, Illinois. Should student athletes form a union and/or be paid? A lifetime of hard work, dedication, injuries, and sweat deserves the title of an employee plus compensation.
“A union is like a team or club that one is able to join. Its main purpose is to look after and promote the interests of its members. For a union, this means looking after the rights of workers and their interests at work, within their industries and beyond in the community.” says EMPU.org. A union has benefits like a worker does in a giant factory. For an example, a football player works their entire being off and getting injured should be completely covered by the school. A union would support the health bills and the time off.
It is a privilege to even get the opportunity to compete in athletics at the college level. To play at this level is something all athletes’ desire and most see it as the greatest level of competition. College athletics is based on devotion, lust, and ambition to prosper in the athletics and in the academic fields. Even though athletes are already being paid from their possible scholarship and other benefits, aren’t their earning coming from the sports’ wins and fans? If a university is unable to support their team, then they can make the decision to have the compensation towards their athletics.
Student athletes have to focus on their education as well as their sport. These athletes
Mrs. Peters
English 112 - 4B
1 April 2014
Employee or Athlete?
Since the beginning of time, athletes have poured their heart and soul into the sport they work so hard for day after day, year after year. Athletes’ love and talent for the game will bring them to a college where they can perform their capacity and power. At the Division I level, it is more or less a business field, and it is the athlete’s job is to draw in a profit for the college. Lately, a controversial question has come up because of Northwestern University football just outside of Chicago, Illinois. Should student athletes form a union and/or be paid? A lifetime of hard work, dedication, injuries, and sweat deserves the title of an employee plus compensation.
“A union is like a team or club that one is able to join. Its main purpose is to look after and promote the interests of its members. For a union, this means looking after the rights of workers and their interests at work, within their industries and beyond in the community.” says EMPU.org. A union has benefits like a worker does in a giant factory. For an example, a football player works their entire being off and getting injured should be completely covered by the school. A union would support the health bills and the time off.
It is a privilege to even get the opportunity to compete in athletics at the college level. To play at this level is something all athletes’ desire and most see it as the greatest level of competition. College athletics is based on devotion, lust, and ambition to prosper in the athletics and in the academic fields. Even though athletes are already being paid from their possible scholarship and other benefits, aren’t their earning coming from the sports’ wins and fans? If a university is unable to support their team, then they can make the decision to have the compensation towards their athletics.
Student athletes have to focus on their education as well as their sport. These athletes