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."
Madison Mathews, junior softball student-athlete at Northern Illinois University and MAC Council of Student-Athletes Chair said, “The lived experiences of MAC student-athletes provide great insight and context in conversation such as these. Our perspective must be respected in all decisions that regard our lives and future.”
About the Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference office is based in Cleveland, Ohio as the Conference office serves 12 full-time members and offer championships in 23 sports. Founded in 1946, the Mid-American Conference is an NCAA Division I, 12-member conference that sponsors 23 championships and is one of ten members of the Football Bowl Subdivison (FBS). With total enrollment of nearly 300,000 students, the league represents institutions of higher learning in five (5) states - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, and Ohio.
