As March Madness begins and teams are carefully selected, searching for the perfect bracket has become increasingly difficult. Parity in sports is at an all-time high, and while it makes for good television drama, it may not last. In the spring of 2014, Northwestern University Football players were granted the right to unionize. The National Relations Board claims that athletes qualify as employees of the University. Continuing the debate: Should student athletes be paid?
As a working student with tuition debt, I find it difficult to side with student-athletes who think that they should receive additional compensation. The struggles of balancing school with work and family is overbearing at times, and I can understand the commitment and hard work that student-athletes dedicate. However, paying student-athletes will undoubtedly lead to higher overall tuition. Additionally, schools with more money will attract better, higher-priced athletes, whereas schools with less revenue will not be able to compete on the courts/fields, leaving a large gap in competition.
As much as I would love to see my team advance in March and cut down the nets, I cannot afford higher tuition.
Amy Skeeters, LLCC student