Quoting part of page 1 the 6 page White Page Document, requesting Congress assistance for declaring student athletes special non-employee status.
https://getsomemaction.com/news/2024/4/ ... gress.aspxDear Congressional Leaders:
As members of the NCAA, an association who supports collegiate amateur sports, the Mid-American
Conference (MAC) Council of Student Athletes (COSA) is seeking your assistance in declaring student athletes special status as non-employees, amateurs, of their collegiate institutions. Our committee is
composed of two student-athlete representatives from each of the twelve conference athletic departments¹.
Together, our committee represents approximately 5,200 student-athletes. The Mid-American Conference
spans across the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, and Ohio. We call upon our congressional
representatives to support federal legislation that declares student-athletes as non-employees to ensure we
retain our amateurism status - we urge consideration of the creation of a special amateur status for our
unique experience of utilizing our athletics prowess to earn a collegiate degree.
The MAC COSA rejects student-athletes employment status on the following grounds:
- Healthcare
- Academic Support
- Workforce Development
- Contract Implications
- Taxation Obligations
- Inequitable Resource Distribution
- International Student-Athletes
- Next Generation - High School Student-Athletes
...
¹ Thirteen institutions in 2025 with the addition of University of Massachusetts. UMass student-athletes were not participants in
this comment
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- During the fall 2023 semester, Mid-American Conference (MAC) Commissioner Dr. Jon A. Steinbrecher asked the Council of Student-Athletes to examine the potential implications of the possible classification of student-athletes as employees.
The MAC Council of Student-Athletes is responsible for reviewing and recommending initiatives for the benefit of student-athlete welfare and experience. The Council of Student-Athletes is part of the Conference’s governance structure and consists of two-member student-athletes that represent each institution’s student-athletes on the Council.
After careful consideration, the student-athletes determined the most effective way to convey its perspective and aspirations for the future of college athletics was to draft a white paper for submission to members of Congress. On the behalf of the Council of Student-Athletes, the Conference is releasing its paper.
"The Mid-American Conference commends the diligent efforts of the Council of Student-Athletes in addressing the critical issue of the status of student-athletes,” said MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. “The paper drafted by our student-athletes reflects their engagement and thoughtful consideration of this critical issue. It also highlights the vital role that student-athletes play in shaping the future of college athletics. Their commitment to advocating for their welfare and experience is commendable and serves as a testament to the importance of their voice in these discussions."
