Article
Northwestern University, the University of Missouri and the "Student-Athlete": Mobilization Efforts and the Future
Journal of Legal Aspects of Sport
(2016)
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate student-athletes in the U.S. have a powerful voice in issues that matter to them. This was most recently demonstrated in two ways, including the 2014 Northwestern University football team’s unsuccessful-yet valiant-attempt to organize as a union, and the 2015 University of Missouri’s successful demonstration, both in-person and via social media, ultimately resulting in the resignation of the president of the University. The paper explores the history of student-athlete mobilizations and demonstrate that it should come as no surprise to see increasingly public attempts in the future as student-athletes become more aware of their rights and the campaigns and concerns of others. Student-athletes may continue to influence public opinion and NCAA member institutions as the NCAA rules evolve and lawsuits work their way through the judicial system in the era of social media and instant access to causes and campaigns.
Keywords
- Northwestern University,
- University of Missouri,
- Student-athlete,
- NCAA,
- mobilization,
- activism,
- unions,
- social media
Disciplines
Publication Date
Summer August 26, 2016
Citation Information
Adam Epstein and Kathryn Kisska-Schulze. "Northwestern University, the University of Missouri and the "Student-Athlete": Mobilization Efforts and the Future" Journal of Legal Aspects of Sport Vol. 26 Iss. 2 (2016) p. 71 - 105 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/adam_epstein/47/