Feb 24, 2014 12:13 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald testified Friday and took the side of the NCAA, Big Ten conference and the school that college athletes should not have a union.

According to ESPN, the coach testified in front of the National Labor Rights Board (NLRB) that his football program always made academics out to be his players' priority. The testimony also marked another notch against the players' bid for a union, which had already been called "weak" by the NLRB hearing judge.

Since Ramogi Huma, president of the National College Players Association, filed a petition with the NLRB in Chicago, the movement to create a union in college sports has been a topic of national interest. Should college athletes be recognized as employees, they would be able to unionize and therefore be able to negotiate benefits.

"We want [players] to be the best they can be... athletically, academically, socially... to be a champion in life," Fitzgerald said at the hearing, according to ESPN.

Kain Colter, Northwestern's former quarterback who is no longer eligible for college football, previously testified in stark contrast to Fitzgerald's statement.

"You fulfill the football requirement and, if you can, you fit in academics," Colter said, noting that he felt his football scholarship influenced him to prioritize academics second.

NLRB hearing judge Joyce Hofstra said before Fitzgerald's testimony that Colter and Northwestern players were fighting uphill.

"The record is weak on the players' side. We've had testimony from only one player," Hofstra said during an evidence discussion. "We have heard nothing on the relationship between the player and the coach."

Also testifying in favor of the first ever union for college athletes was a sports economist who argued that NCAA Division I football and basketball are a billion-dollar industry. He also argued that players are the ones who provide an "entertainment services" to anyone who watches.

College football's revenue, from memorabilia, ticket sales, massive television deals and more, is on par with major professional sports leagues like the NFL, NBA and MLB. However, in basketball and football, athletes are practically forced to go to college before turning professional.

Along with the Northwestern bid for a union, the NCAA is dealing with a lawsuit against former UCLA basketball star Ed O'Bannon for using his name, image and likeness without compensation. The NCAA is also considering granting more autonomy to the athletic directors of the "power conference" schools.

Major change is coming to NCAA Division I sports and it is only a matter of time.

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