EVANSTON, Ill. Nike Free 3.0 Dame Tilbud . -- Northwestern Universitys football players will cast ballots Friday on whether to form the nations first union for college athletes -- a potentially landmark vote that will be kept sealed for months and possibly years. The National Labor Relations Board said Thursday it will hear an appeal by Northwestern challenging the decision from a regional NLRB director who ruled the players are university employees and thus have the right to unionize. The board said the ballots will be impounded at least until it issues its decision later this year. If the case lands in court, it could be a far longer before the results of the vote are known. The vote comes one day after leaders at the NCAA endorsed a dramatic proposal to give its biggest and most powerful member schools the autonomy to make decisions for its athletes, including more robust funding of scholarships, the ability to address health concerns and other key areas. Union supporters say they are seeking guaranteed coverage of sports-related medical expenses for current and former players. There have been no raucous rallies or demonstrations on the 19,000-student campus just north of Chicago, just official notices about the vote posted near the Wildcats locker room. But there has been plenty of lobbying in the form private meetings, calls and emails, and everyone from coach Pat Fitzgerald to NCAA President Mark Emmert has called for a "no" vote. The 76 scholarship football players eligible to cast ballots know the spotlight is on them, said Ramogi Huma, president of the College Athletes Players Association, which would represent the players at the bargaining table if the pro-union side prevails. Some of the pressure they feel stems from dire Northwestern claims about the consequences of unionization, he said. "Theyre looking at anything and everything to invoke fear in the players," said Huma, a former UCLA linebacker and longtime critic of the NCAA. "We feel like some of the tactics are scare tactics." Northwestern, which is required by law to let the vote proceed, denies applying undue pressure on players to vote "no." However, it recently sent a 21-page question-and-answer document to the players outlining the problems with forming a union. In it, Northwestern said it hoped unionization would not lead to player strikes in the event of a dispute -- but if it did, replacement players could be brought in to cross picket lines. "The tension created in such a situation would be unprecedented and not in anyones best interest," it said. The school also said divisions could emerge between scholarship players eligible for union membership and walk-ons, coaches and staff. "There is no question but that the presence of a union would add tension in terms of creating an us versus them feeling between the players it would represent and those it would not," it said. Northwestern did not release the document publicly, but The Associated Press obtained a copy and a spokesman for the universitys athletic department, Paul Kennedy, verified its authenticity. Alan K. Cubbage, the schools vice-president for university relations, dismissed Humas suggestion that the school was using scare tactics "I would say strongly that Northwestern has conducted an election campaign ... according to the procedures and the rules of the NLRB," he said. When outgoing Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter announced in January that he would lead the drive to unionize, helped by CAPA and the United Steelworkers, he said nearly all of his fellow teammates were behind him. Safety Davion Fleming said his teammates slowly began to understand the issues arent clear-cut. "When the union talk initially started, it wasnt very clear what was going on," said Fleming, who cant vote because his eligibility is exhausted. "I think they didnt understand the implications." Huma said Northwestern seemed to be intentionally misconstruing the facts, and said the schools "subliminal messages" included the suggestion that a "yes" vote could throw their amateur status into question. "No one is taking about striking," he said. "They are trying to rattle players." The fight has been noticed by incoming recruits, too. "I went there for many reasons, more than just football," said Justin Jackson, a running back recruit from Carol Stream. "Theres no possible way that it would have deterred me from signing back in February." Like the players themselves, recruits and their families have a long list of potential questions should a football players union become a reality. One of the biggest issues is whether scholarships would be counted as taxable income. "I dont feel that were really in the position to get involved in anything like that with it yet," said Phil Jackson Sr., Justins father. "But it does obviously would have an impact on the students as far as the scholarship not being a grant but actually being considered income, yeah, that definitely would be a concern. "But at the same time we also understand theres some important issues that need to be hashed out and were kind of letting the process play itself out for right now." Trevor Siemian, who is expected to replace Colter as the starting quarterback, has said he will be voting against a union. "Ill say theres a significant number of guys on the team who feel the same as me," Siemian said earlier this month. Fleming also said doesnt support unionization, though he said the drive has prompted a much-needed debate about conditions for players. After weeks of both sides vying for votes, he said he detects a common sentiment among players. "They just want this to be over -- and to focus on football," he said. Nike Air Max 90 Tilbud . Nick Bonino and Matt Beleskey also scored in regulation and Frederik Andersen stopped 27 shots for the Ducks, who will face Dallas in the opening round of the post-season. Anze Kopitar had two goals, including the tying one with 3:12 left in the third period, and Dustin Brown also scored for Los Angeles. Nike Air Max 90 Mænd . Johns IceCaps dominated the Portland Pirates 5-1 on Wednesday in American Hockey League play.SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Barry Bonds is all set to return to the San Francisco Giants. As a spring training instructor, that is. The all-time home run leader who never officially retired is expected to arrive during the second week of March. Manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday that hes looking forward to having the 49-year-old Bonds in camp and thinks he can help the hitters. Bonds spent his last 15 seasons with the Giants, finishing in 2007. He has not been elected to the Hall of Fame, with many voters saying his lofty numbers were boosted EVANSTON, Ill. Nike Free 3.0 Dame Tilbud . -- Northwestern Universitys football players will cast ballots Friday on whether to form the nations first union for college athletes -- a potentially landmark vote that will be kept sealed for months and possibly years. The National Labor Relations Board said Thursday it will hear an appeal by Northwestern challenging the decision from a regional NLRB director who ruled the players are university employees and thus have the right to unionize. The board said the ballots will be impounded at least until it issues its decision later this year. If the case lands in court, it could be a far longer before the results of the vote are known. The vote comes one day after leaders at the NCAA endorsed a dramatic proposal to give its biggest and most powerful member schools the autonomy to make decisions for its athletes, including more robust funding of scholarships, the ability to address health concerns and other key areas. Union supporters say they are seeking guaranteed coverage of sports-related medical expenses for current and former players. There have been no raucous rallies or demonstrations on the 19,000-student campus just north of Chicago, just official notices about the vote posted near the Wildcats locker room. But there has been plenty of lobbying in the form private meetings, calls and emails, and everyone from coach Pat Fitzgerald to NCAA President Mark Emmert has called for a "no" vote. The 76 scholarship football players eligible to cast ballots know the spotlight is on them, said Ramogi Huma, president of the College Athletes Players Association, which would represent the players at the bargaining table if the pro-union side prevails. Some of the pressure they feel stems from dire Northwestern claims about the consequences of unionization, he said. "Theyre looking at anything and everything to invoke fear in the players," said Huma, a former UCLA linebacker and longtime critic of the NCAA. "We feel like some of the tactics are scare tactics." Northwestern, which is required by law to let the vote proceed, denies applying undue pressure on players to vote "no." However, it recently sent a 21-page question-and-answer document to the players outlining the problems with forming a union. In it, Northwestern said it hoped unionization would not lead to player strikes in the event of a dispute -- but if it did, replacement players could be brought in to cross picket lines. "The tension created in such a situation would be unprecedented and not in anyones best interest," it said. The school also said divisions could emerge between scholarship players eligible for union membership and walk-ons, coaches and staff. "There is no question but that the presence of a union would add tension in terms of creating an us versus them feeling between the players it would represent and those it would not," it said. Northwestern did not release the document publicly, but The Associated Press obtained a copy and a spokesman for the universitys athletic department, Paul Kennedy, verified its authenticity. Alan K. Cubbage, the schools vice-president for university relations, dismissed Humas suggestion that the school was using scare tactics "I would say strongly that Northwestern has conducted an election campaign ... according to the procedures and the rules of the NLRB," he said. When outgoing Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter announced in January that he would lead the drive to unionize, helped by CAPA and the United Steelworkers, he said nearly all of his fellow teammates were behind him. Safety Davion Fleming said his teammates slowly began to understand the issues arent clear-cut. "When the union talk initially started, it wasnt very clear what was going on," said Fleming, who cant vote because his eligibility is exhausted. "I think they didnt understand the implications." Huma said Northwestern seemed to be intentionally misconstruing the facts, and said the schools "subliminal messages" included the suggestion that a "yes" vote could throw their amateur status into question. "No one is taking about striking," he said. "They are trying to rattle players." The fight has been noticed by incoming recruits, too. "I went there for many reasons, more than just football," said Justin Jackson, a running back recruit from Carol Stream. "Theres no possible way that it would have deterred me from signing back in February." Like the players themselves, recruits and their families have a long list of potential questions should a football players union become a reality. One of the biggest issues is whether scholarships would be counted as taxable income. "I dont feel that were really in the position to get involved in anything like that with it yet," said Phil Jackson Sr., Justins father. "But it does obviously would have an impact on the students as far as the scholarship not being a grant but actually being considered income, yeah, that definitely would be a concern. "But at the same time we also understand theres some important issues that need to be hashed out and were kind of letting the process play itself out for right now." Trevor Siemian, who is expected to replace Colter as the starting quarterback, has said he will be voting against a union. "Ill say theres a significant number of guys on the team who feel the same as me," Siemian said earlier this month. Fleming also said doesnt support unionization, though he said the drive has prompted a much-needed debate about conditions for players. After weeks of both sides vying for votes, he said he detects a common sentiment among players. "They just want this to be over -- and to focus on football," he said. Nike Air Max 90 Tilbud . Nick Bonino and Matt Beleskey also scored in regulation and Frederik Andersen stopped 27 shots for the Ducks, who will face Dallas in the opening round of the post-season. Anze Kopitar had two goals, including the tying one with 3:12 left in the third period, and Dustin Brown also scored for Los Angeles. Nike Air Max 90 Mænd . Johns IceCaps dominated the Portland Pirates 5-1 on Wednesday in American Hockey League play.SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Barry Bonds is all set to return to the San Francisco Giants. As a spring training instructor, that is. The all-time home run leader who never officially retired is expected to arrive during the second week of March. Manager Bruce Bochy said Saturday that hes looking forward to having the 49-year-old Bonds in camp and thinks he can help the hitters. Bonds spent his last 15 seasons with the Giants, finishing in 2007. He has not been elected to the Hall of Fame, with many voters saying his lofty numbers were boosted by performance-enhancing drugs. Bonds set major league records with 762 career home runs and 73 in 2001. He also had a .444 career on-base percentage and a .607 slugging percentage and stole 514 bases. Hell join former Giants Jeff Kent, Robb Nen, Will Clark and J.T. Snow as special instructors. Kent and Bonds were involved in a highly publicized feud during the 2002 season, which reached its peak in June, when the two engaged in a shoving match in the dugout that was caught on camera. Bonds final contract with the Giants included a 110-year services deal following his retirement, which included spring training visits. Nike Free 5.0 Dame. The seven-time MVP has made limited public appearances since his final season, and has been embroiled in legal trouble. Bonds remains a fan favourite in San Francisco, enjoying a warm reception any time hes introduced at AT&T Park, the Giants home park. Matt Cain, the Giants longest active tenured player, was Bonds teammate between 2005-07. Tim Lincecum made his major league debut in 2007. Bonds also holds the big league records for walks in a season (232 in 2004, including a record 120 intentional walks) and in a career (2,558). Bonds was a .298 hitter during a 22-year career. He had a .609 on-base percentage and .812 slugging percentage in 2004. Overall, Bonds homered against 449 different pitchers. He shares the major league record with his father, Bobby Bonds, for most seasons (5) with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases. He hit eight home runs in the 2002 post-season and holds the record for highest slugging percentage (1.294 in 2002) in a World Series. cheap nfl jerseyscheap jerseys ' ' ' . Bonds set major league records with 762 career home runs and 73 in 2001. He also had a .444 career on-base percentage and a .607 slugging percentage and stole 514 bases. Hell join former Giants Jeff Kent, Robb Nen, Will Clark and J.T. Snow as special instructors. Kent and Bonds were involved in a highly publicized feud during the 2002 season, which reached its peak in June, when the two engaged in a shoving match in the dugout that was caught on camera. Bonds final contract with the Giants included a 110-year services deal following his retirement, which included spring training visits. Nike Free 5.0 Dame. The seven-time MVP has made limited public appearances since his final season, and has been embroiled in legal trouble. Bonds remains a fan favourite in San Francisco, enjoying a warm reception any time hes introduced at AT&T Park, the Giants home park. Matt Cain, the Giants longest active tenured player, was Bonds teammate between 2005-07. Tim Lincecum made his major league debut in 2007. Bonds also holds the big league records for walks in a season (232 in 2004, including a record 120 intentional walks) and in a career (2,558). Bonds was a .298 hitter during a 22-year career. He had a .609 on-base percentage and .812 slugging percentage in 2004. Overall, Bonds homered against 449 different pitchers. He shares the major league record with his father, Bobby Bonds, for most seasons (5) with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases. He hit eight home runs in the 2002 post-season and holds the record for highest slugging percentage (1.294 in 2002) in a World Series. cheap nfl jerseyscheap jerseys ' ' '
