WASHINGTON, DC- VSU's President Dr. Makola Abdullah represented all HBCUs in Washington, DC advocating for NCAA Name, Image, and Likeness state legislation at the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee Hearing: "Taking the Buzzer Beater to the Bank: Protecting College Athletes' NIL Dealmaking Rights" on Wednesday.
"As universities, we need to educate because, after all, that is our mission and our business," said Dr. Abdullah. "That education must include providing the correct information and a pathway for students to select beneficial partnerships and possess financial literacy so that they may reap the benefits of these NIL deals long after graduation. There must be a true partnership between the NCAA, the member institutions, and the student-athletes. Our name, image, and likeness are all intertwined. NCAA student-athletes, especially our Virginia State University student-scholars, show an unparalleled commitment to their craft. That unparalleled commitment and dedication leads to my unequivocal support of legislation that provides a single national standard for collegiate athletes to market their name, image, and likeness."
President Abdullah was joined by several other leaders within collegiate athletics and the sports industry that presented insightful information, raw data, and advocacy on behalf of student-athletes and all higher-education institutions.
Testimonies were also presented from the following:
Trey Burton, Former National Football League player
Pat Chun, Director of Athletics, Washington State University
Jennifer Heppel, Commissioner, Patriot League
Kaley Mudge, Student-Athlete, Florida State University
Jason Stahl, Executive Director and Founder, College Football Players Association
"I have been an avid fan and supporter of all collegiate athletics and college athletes, particularly the young men and women who suit up in the Trojan orange and blue," said Dr. Abdullah. "As President, my goal is to be a part of an institution that changes lives through education and prepares our students to enter the world as savvy global citizens, lifelong learners, and generational change agents."
Abdullah's full testimony discussed the importance and severity of the impact NIL has on institutions in general and the needs of HBCUs and Division II and III institutions. Abdullah also expressed insights that yielded a call to action for more understanding, resources, and advocacy at the State level.
Dr. Abdullah provided thoughtful dialogue to address why all funding matters for student-athletes, how VSU is educating athletes on NIL, why NIL is necessary, and the need to demonstrate transparency, partnership, education, and consistency for all student-athletes as NIL continues to develop.
"Virginia State University athletics is committed to providing additional educational opportunities to position our student-athletes for success in this feverishly evolving competitive market through student-athlete development as it pertains to NIL," said Assistant Athletic Director of Sports Communications Shalyn Moore. "The conversations had on the Hill Wednesday have yielded a foundation for us to better inform, advocate for, and assist our student-athletes."
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