Helmet? Check!
Cleats? Check!
Reality? Check!
The Chicago office of the National Labor Relations Board ruled that scholarship players on the Northwestern University football team are indeed employees of the university, and therefore the protections that apply to all other employees apply to them.
“Athletic scholarship.” It’s right up there on comedians’ lists of oxymorons, along with “jumbo shrimp,” and “religious education.”
It’s called an athletic scholarship to distinguish it from a true scholarship, i.e., the academic kind.
And although an academic scholarship may have some strings attached (maintain a certain minimum gradepoint, take a minimum class load, etc.), it’s basically a gift based on past performance. In contrast, the so-called athletic scholarship is actually a contract, contingent upon future performance – the school will pay your way as long as you (1) maintain the charade of being a college student, and (2) earn your keep on the football field or basketball court.
Yes, that’s a contract, and I’ll prove it: imagine what would happen to a blue chip quarterback recruit who shows up on campus in early August and begins football practice, then when classes start a few weeks later he writes a letter to the football coach, saying, “Now that I’m in class, I’m going to have to devote all my time to my pre-med major and will be unable to continue practicing with the team. Thanks so much for the gift of a free college education!”
Union card? Check!
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