Free Ride?

Should We Complain?

The NCAA tries to brainwash us into thinking that we have little, if anything, to complain about because we are getting a “free ride” through college. Don’t you believe it – nothing in life is free.

There is no question about it - student-athletes are fortunate. We have been given an opportunity to get an education while playing sports that we enjoy. However…

Student-athletes across the nation are subject to inequitable restrictions imposed by the the NCAA. The NCAA will have you believe that this practice is justified simply because we are privileged to be where we are! However, acceptance of these unreasonable restrictions should not be the trade-off for getting a “free ride” through college.

Student-athletes work strenuously all year in order to maintain their scholarships. Failure to do so will result in the termination of all benefits.

The following illustrates how football players earn an opportunity to get a college education:

· Strenuous strength and conditioning workouts

(often performed in the early morning).

· Countless hours per week of mandatory

participation in a sport (hours per week can greatly

increase if “voluntary” activities are performed).

· Injuries and surgeries that are endured throughout

an athlete’s career.

· Risk of permanent physical disability and death.

· Generating billions of dollars from TV contracts, ticket sales, etc.

Football players do not get a “free ride”. Our education definitely has a price. We agree to earn our education through hard work, risking/sacrificing our physical well-being, and generating a ton of money for our schools. This is the trade-off for our stipends. We should not have to keep quiet while being subjected to unethical conditions.

Home Free Ride? Living Below the Poverty Line… Organizing

Email the CAC at cac@ucla.edu