Rights Organization for Major College Athletes Started

Two former college athletes are creating an organization to “look after the rights of major college football and basketball players.”

Johnny Rodgers and Dick DeVenzio announced the formation of Revenue Producing Major College Players Assn. at a news conference Thursday. They said their objective is to force NCAA universities to use money generated by football and basketball players to enhance the education and careers of those players.

Rodgers was the Heisman Trophy winner at Nebraska in 1972 and DeVenzio was an Academic All-American basketball player at Duke in 1971.

The spokesmen said they would seek an unspecified amount from the NCAA for their purpose. Attempts to reach NCAA officials for comment were unsuccessful, but DeVenzio said NCAA representatives have responded negatively to the proposal.

Under Thursday’s announced plan, the group would ask that it be given money from postseason games to benefit players. The money would go into a pool, and would be distributed in an undisclosed amount to each major college football and basketball player until he finishes his education.

“One percent of the total team goes on to pro ball,” Rodgers said. “All of the publicity and exposure they get is more beneficial for the university than the player. The major universities (athletic programs) are mostly supported by football and basketball money. For those people not to get rewarded, there is a misjustice.”

The proposal includes only football and basketball players in Division 1-A.

“The reason being is that football and basketball players are unique in that they produce millions of dollars in revenue for their schools and the NCAA,” DeVenzio said. “In the services we will provide, we wouldn’t want to exclude anybody. We certainly wouldn’t turn down a tennis player who called for advice.”

Players will be contacted through school newspapers and newsletters, DeVenzio said, and union dues will not be required.