Including College Athletes in Dialogues About Human Rights in Sport

Ellen J. Staurowsky, Ed.D., Professor, Sport Management, Drexel University

Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, whatever our nationality, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. We are all equally entitled to our human rights without discrimination. These rights are all interrelated, interdependent and indivisible.

Brief Overview

100 Years of College Athlete Protests

College Athletic Culture

College Athlete Framework

Were these athletes in jeopardy of losing their scholarships?

Dr. Ben TepperOrganizational Psychologist

The Ohio State University, 2015

College Athlete Well-Being

41% felt so depressed that it was difficult for them to function (ACHA Study, 2015) 52% overwhelmed with anxiety (ACHA Study, 2015) 14% seriously considered suicide (ACHA Study, 2015) 6% had attempted it (ACHA Study, 2015) 31% of football players & 22% of basketball players report being put down by coaches

(NCAA GOALS Study, 2010) Less than 40% of female college basketball players reported trusting their coach

(NCAA GOALS, 2010)

NCAA Goals Study, 2016

Northwestern University and College Athletes Players Association (CAPA), Petitioner. Case 13–RC– 121359 Decision on Review and Order (Pearce, Miscimarra, Hirozawa, Johnson, & McFerran, August 17, 2015)

The fact that the scholarship players are students who are also athletes receiving a scholarship to participate in what has traditionally been regarded as an extracurricular activity (albeit a nationally prominent and extraordinarily lucrative one for many universities, conferences, and the NCAA) materially sets them apart from the Board’s student precedent.

SOCIAL NETWORKING Villanova University Athletics Department recognizes and supports its student-athletes’ rights to freedom of speech and expression, including the use of online social networks. However, each student-athlete must remember that being a student-athlete at Villanova University is a privilege, not a right. As a student-athlete you represent not only yourself, your team, and this department, but the University as a whole. As such, you are expected to portray yourself, your team, and the University in an appropriate manner at all times. Therefore, any online postings must be consistent with the Villanova University mission, Federal and State laws, as well as Team, Department, University, Conference, and NCAA rules, regulations and policies.

It is really important that you understand that participating in intercollegiate athletics at the University of Maryland is a privilege. As student-athletes, I expect that each and every one of you will represent the University of Maryland and the athletics program with integrity, honor, sportsmanship, commitment, and PRIDE! (University of Maryland Athlete Handbook, 2015-2016, p.4)

College Athlete SurveillanceStates Passing Laws to Protect

College Athlete SM Privacy

New Jersey Californi

a

Michigan Delaware

(Staurowsky, 2015)

Hadn’t sought permission from

coaches

Free speech all right as long as 100% agreement from

team

Should have scholarship revoked

College Athletes Rights

Labor Rights

Human Rights

“The NCAA’s unwillingness to treat athletes as workers is a particularly shameful example of how higher education institutions in the United States have been focused on reproducing exploitation and oppression, rather than being institutions of social uplift” (Williams, 2015)

College Athlete Issues As Labor Issues

College Athlete

Employees

Time Demands

Compensation & Benefits

Health Care

Workplace Conditions

400+ pages of unilaterally imposed, non-negotiated rules that govern college

athletes who are not members that affords

limited if any due process

Framework for Engaging College Athletes

Athlete Representation

Independent

Opportunity to be educated,

negotiate & bargain