Bill to bar student-athletes at Michigan's public universities from unionizing on fast track

In this Nov. 8, 2014 file photo Michigan running back De'Veon Smith (4) runs against Northwestern during an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill. A Republican lawmaker in Michigan introduced a bill Dec. 2, 2014 to block collective bargaining for athletes that is on the fast track through this lame-duck legislative session, though there are no reports of such efforts at any of Michigan's public or private universities and opponents say it's a non-issue in their state. Athletes at Northwestern, a private school, voted in April to form the nation's first union for student athletes, a case the National Labor Relations Board has not yet ruled on. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File) (The Associated Press)

DETROIT – A Michigan legislator has sponsored a bill moving quickly through the state House to prevent student athletes at public universities from unionizing.

Republican Rep. Al Pscholka says that student-athletes should be treated as students first, not athletes.

A House committee approved the bill Wednesday and sent it to the House floor, where it could see action soon.

Minority Democratic Rep. Andy Shor says he voted against the bill and calls it a solution without a problem.

Northwestern university football players are seeking to unionize, but Shor says no college sports athletes in Michigan have moved in that direction.

The NCAA and several big conferences have come out against player unions but say conditions for student athletes need improving.