Sports have deeply influenced every aspect of my life. My parents met at a track event at the University of Florida. My mother worked as a Division II track coach at the Colorado School of Mines. As a child, I spent my afternoons at practices, absorbing every detail and instruction she shared with her athletes.
Though my parents introduced me to various sports, I was drawn to throwing. Witnessing college track so early revealed the possibilities athletics could offer. I dedicated myself to achieving a Division I status, winning several high school state and national titles while forming lasting friendships nationwide. Track and field has profoundly shaped who I am today.
My experience as a student-athlete at Clemson University has been life-changing. Clemson athletics presented opportunities I never imagined. Daily, I strive for self-improvement: increasing strength, extending distance, and expanding my knowledge. As a Clemson athlete, I benefit from top-tier facilities and a supportive community of coaches, staff, and peers.
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I aim for every American athlete to experience similar opportunities. Sports teach essential skills like hard work, resilience, coachability, time management, and fostering lifelong connections. My coaches encouraged both academic and leadership growth, guiding me in pursuing a B.S. and an M.P.A., and taking roles in advisory committees and volunteer projects. Clemson Athletics’ support has been crucial for my success.
Every child deserves the chance to excel in sports at the highest level. The responsibility lies with Congress to safeguard these opportunities. Recent court decisions have disrupted the NCAA’s stability. An uneven landscape exists due to varied state laws and rulings.
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Well-funded schools like Clemson strive to equip athletes, yet disparities between larger programs and mid-major ones grow. High school athletes have fewer opportunities due to factors like roster caps and reduced walk-on spots.
Beyond recruiting, budget strains lead to cutting sports and dropping championship support. Although revenue sharing and Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) offer benefits, they also expose students to potential exploitation by unregistered agents.
The transfer portal has altered college sports dynamics, affecting team loyalty and culture. Frequent transfers complicate building cohesive teams, eroding the tradition that characterized college sports. Without regulation, these issues will persist.
Action is needed from Congress to preserve college sports. The Protect College Sports Act, S. 4668, proposes a national framework for managing revenue sharing, NIL, the transfer portal, and eligibility, essential for sustaining Olympic sports and supporting numerous student-athletes.
If Congress neglects to act, future generations might lose the transformative opportunities that college sports provide. College athletics have the power to change lives, and protecting them is vital to broaden opportunities for young athletes across the nation.
Ella Brooks is a Clemson University junior and women’s track team member studying political science. She serves as vice president of external affairs for Clemson’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and co-authored a letter in support of the Protect College Sports Act. Ella aspires to a political career after completing her athletic journey.