Law Students Gain Practical Experience in Sports Law

Wintersession class and NCAA meeting provide valuable practical experience

By Marisa Atkinson

Nine University of Mississippi Law students braved the cold and snow this month to immerse themselves into the evolving world of collegiate sports law.

Through the Wintersession Sports Law Practicum course, the students gained firsthand practical skills and knowledge. The class included a trip to the NCAA Annual Conference in Nashville, and lessons taught by Keith Carter, UM vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics, andU.S. Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings.

The class was created and taught by Ronald Rychlak, distinguished professor in the School of Law and Jamie L. Whitten Chair of Law and Government.

“The students conducted negotiations, did an NCAA campus investigation, prepared responses to mock crises, and worked at a women’s basketball game,” Rychlak said.

“We share a lot of fun and excitement, plus they (the students) get to develop skills and contacts that can help them in the future.”

At the NCAA Annual Conference, held January 14–17 in Nashville, Tennessee, the students attended meetings on topics ranging from the NCAA influence at the Olympics to sports betting’s impact on student-athletes and new opportunities in women’s sports.

They also heard presentations from athletics directors from three other schools, toured Belmont University facilities, and met with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.

Trey Hubner, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, enrolled in the class because of the unprecedented times in collegiate sports.

“This is the most groundbreaking year in the history of collegiate sports,” the second-year law student said. “Whether it be NIL, Title IX, the transfer portal, or any other hot topic, it felt like the perfect time to inject myself into the conversation.

“It goes without saying that the convention was an invaluable experience that may never be replicated again in future years.”

Rychlak, who serves as the university’s faculty athletics representative, attends the NCAA convention every year. He was inspired by the format of the UM Study USA program to have Ole Miss athletics administrators share insights with students for one week and then have the NCAA conference serve as the second week’s programming.

Over the years, several students have even made connections that led to jobs.

“That’s always special, but even those that never work in the field end up honing legal skills and developing a better appreciation of how universities and their athletic departments function,” Rychlak said.

Grant Hughes, a second-year student from Madison, was particularly interested to learn about cooperation among athletics programs.

“I not only got a better understanding of the operations of college programs at each divisional level of the NCAA, but also how all the member institutions work together in the overall governance of the NCAA,” he said.

Lauren Gay, a second-year law student from Ripley, took the class to better understand the evolving landscape around name, image, and likeness issues in collegiate sports.

“By engaging in real-world discussions and scenarios, I aim to build on the foundation I developed in my previous coursework and research,” she said.

Jennings, who received the NCAA 2025 Silver Anniversary Award told attendees, “Whatever dream you have in your heart, you have a duty to pursue it.”

That message struck a chord with Gay.

“As a nontraditional law student, her words affirmed my belief that it is never too late to pursue a dream,” she said. “This conference reminded me why I chose this path: to work hard, pursue justice, and make a difference in the lives of others.”