A new organization called the National Student-Athletes’ Rights Movement (NSARM) has been created to help give student athletes at NCAA universities their first ever “Bill of Rights.”
The NSARM’s Bill of Rights has been a 36-year effort in the making.
This plan was formed by retired University of Kansas head track & field coach Bob Timmons to help protect the interests of the student athlete.
“There is simply no group with any power in the NCAA system whose specific responsibility is to guard and advocate the welfare of student athletes,” Timmons said in a press release.
Timmons has been a long-time advocate for student athletes’ rights.
“During my 24 years as a collegiate coach I became concerned about those policies and procedures of the NCAA that infringe on the fundamental rights of student athletes,” Timmons said in his propsal to univeristy officials.
Timmons believes that the NCAA has done great things for college athletics. He also believes that they should continue maintaining athletes’ academic performances while promoting intercollegiate competition.
Timmons, as well as other members of the NSARM, think the NCAA must eliminate those rules that affect athletes’ participation opportunities
The Bill of Rights is part of a 64-page proposal called “The NCAA: Who Protects The Student Athletes?” that the NSARM recently sent to the presidents, chancellors and trustess of all NCAA-member institutions.
The proposal will define a set of basic rights and privileges for all student athletes. The document uses specific examples of former NCAA teams and student athletes as they relate to each one of the respective rights.
The goals of the NSARM are to affect the lives of the student athletes so that they seek legislation calling for the adoption of the proposed Student-Athletes’ Bill of Rights.
If adopted, these rights would affect all SMU student athletes.
“I think a proposal that could help protect our rights as athletes would be a great thing,” said Wesley Medlock, SMU football cornerback.
The SMU football players have received no word of the proposed Bill of Rights, but seemed to be interested.
“It hasn’t hit the locker rooms yet,” Medlock said.
The NSARM’s Student-Athlete’s Bill of Rights can be viewed at www.studentathletes-rights.org.
