Athletes.org (AO) made history this week by hosting its inaugural Leadership & Policy Summit for college athletes to learn, lead, and have candid conversations about the state of the industry, ultimately meeting with more than two dozen members of Congress.
Culminating in a press conference that captured the voices and vision of a new generation of college athlete leaders, the Summit brought together these incredible leaders from across the country, AO staff, lawmakers and policy experts to discuss the future of college sports and the critical role of the athletes’ voice in shaping what comes next.
AO member participants described the Summit as a milestone, emphasizing the significance of being part of a movement that aims to reshape the landscape for current and future college athletes.
Several athletes highlighted their motivation to step into leadership roles, not only to advocate for themselves but also to pave the way for those who follow. Many spoke about the lack of supportive leadership from their institutions in their own athletic journeys in the new era of college athletics and their desire to be the voice and mentor that they did not have available to them.
“I’m doing it for the athletes coming after us. They don’t deserve to go through some of the things that I’ve been through,” said Chief Borders, football player at UNLV. “It’s bigger than us, so ‘reach one, teach one.’”
Others echoed the “reach one, teach one” sentiment, stressing the importance of standing by their convictions and using their experiences to educate and support, and underscoring the Summit’s focus on mentorship, advocacy, and collective advancement.
“Just being able to be a voice for the voiceless, being able to have an opportunity to be a part of something that has never been done before,” said Justin Wodtly, football player at Arizona State when asked about why he chose to participate in the Summit. “[That’s] my biggest goal in this entire thing, just leave it better than I found it.”
Athletes expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect with policymakers, Athletes.org staff, and their peers from across the country. The Summit created a platform for candid conversations about the realities of college athletics, from mental health challenges to systemic issues within the current structure.
For many, the chance to learn directly from experts and legislators for the first time was both eye-opening and empowering.
“I felt very in the dark about the things we’ve been talking about, and I wanted to be here so I could have the opportunity to talk with legislators and also learn from the AO staff and my peers,” said Jada Brown, women’s basketball athlete at Vanderbilt.
AO co-founders, Jim Cavale and Brandon Copeland, commended the athletes for their courage, leadership, and commitment, reminding them that their perspectives are essential to creating solutions in a system that has often overlooked their needs.
“Your opinion is valid, your expertise matters, and please keep speaking up. This is just the beginning,” Cavale said to conclude the Summit.
Athletes.org, “The Players Association for College Athletes,” is a voluntary membership organization whose membership includes more than 4,600 current and former college athletes. AO exists to educate, organize, and represent college athletes as their chosen players association in an attempt to ensure their seat at the table in the ever-changing landscape of college sports.
– ATHLETES.ORG –