ARLINGTON, Texas — Mark Emmert doesn’t expect the unionization of college athletes to catch on. At least, the NCAA president hopes it doesn’t.
Emmert called the efforts of Northwestern football players to organize a labor union as they seek more benefits for student athletes “ridiculous” and a “grossly inappropriate” solution to the problems amateur athletics faces, as lawsuits are pending and calls for financial compensations grow louder. The regional National Labor Relations Board granted the players approval, but Northwestern is planning to appeal the decision.
“To convert to a unionized employee model is to throw away the entire collegiate model for athletics,” Emmert said during his annual Final Four press conference Sunday morning. “It would blow up everything about the collegiate model of athletics.”
UConn coach Kevin Ollie and Florida coach Billy Donovan said on Thursday changes need to be made in terms of compensation. Emmert, flanked by three university presidents and Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby, said the NCAA is moving toward reforms that would provide additional power and benefits for student athletes.
“It’s a different day, and we need to have a different covenant with our student athletes and it starts with recruiting and continues with issues that pertain to graduation,” Bowlsby said. “While they’re there, that experience probably has to be more full than it ought to be. We really need to take a look at time commitments, how much time they’re spending in so-called countable activities.
“It’s not as easy to do as it may seem, even if we’re willing, and we certainly are willing.”
After a quiet regular season that included 10 Did Not Play-Coach’s Decisions, South Shore High School alum Terrence Samuel has been a major factor in UConn’s run to Monday’s final. The 6-foot-4 freshman point guard scored a career-high 11 points in a third-round victory over Villanova and followed that up with 10 points in the Sweet 16 at the Garden against Iowa State.
Samuel had four points and an assist in Saturday’s national semifinal victory over overall top-seed Florida. Samuel, the first member of his family to attend college, wasn’t even sure if he would qualify after needing to take a summer course because the NCAA didn’t approve one of his math classes. He enrolled in late August as a result.
“It’s definitely a great feeling,” the Canarsie, Brooklyn native said. “In high school I never made it past the [quarterfinals]. To make it to the championship my freshman year is unreal to me. It hasn’t hit me yet. I just hope we’re cutting down the nets [Monday night]. I don’t know how I’m going to feel [if we win it all], I might cry.”
Kentucky sixth man Willie Cauley-Stein remains a long shot for the national championship game. The sophomore forward has missed the Wildcats’ last two games after suffering a left ankle injury in the Sweet 16 win over Louisville.
“It’s tough. It’s heartbreaking,” Cauley-Stein said. “The only thing I can really do is encourage the team and stay positive even though I can’t play. I still serve a purpose, uplifting people and staying in people’s ears and cheering.”