The Drake Group Education Fund: Realizing The Promise Of College Athletics
2022 The Drake Group Student Journalism Prize for Investigative Reporting on Intercollegiate Athletics to Jessica Jurcek
Presented to Jessica Jurcek, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Professional Journalism/Environmental Science, Policy and Management Major for “The consequences of cutting indoor track — Although the University of Minnesota will move forward with outdoor track, its Black student-athletes question the security of their sport.” The Prize recognizes the print, video, or multimedia work of a graduate … Read more
2022 The Drake Group National Public Service Award
Presented to The Honorable Christopher Murphy, United States Senator for Connecticut. The Drake Group National Public Service Award Honors an elected public official responsible for advancing legislation that would significantly improve the conduct of intercollegiate athletic programs, enhance the rights of college athletes, or otherwise protect their education, health, and safety. SEE VIDEO OF AWARD … Read more
University Presidents Tackle the Future of College Football
Athlete Abuse, Featured, Financial Madness
Karl Igsvoog interviews David Ridpath about his research on mandatory athletic fees, examines recent concussion litigation and its impact on college sports, reports the result of a survey of 131 college presidents on issues related to college football and whether university presidents are taking on the issue of concussion litigation. This video is a portion … Read more
Academic Fraud at UNC
Exploited Athletes, Featured, Lack of Accountability
UNC Chapel Hill enrolled student athletes with poor academic performance in fake classes so they would remain eligible to play. The classes soon enabled widespread academic fraud.
The Economics of College Sport
Andrew Zimbalist, Robert A. Woods Professor of Economics, Smith College; President-Elect, The Drake Group; author of Unpaid Professionals: Commercialism and Conflict in Big-time College Sports (1999), The Economics of Sport, I & II (2001), Unwinding Madness: What Went Wrong with College Sports and How to Fix It (2017) with Gerry Gurney and Donna Lopiano, and Whither College Sports (2021), explains the economics of … Read more
Gender Injustices in College Athletics
Athlete Abuse, Featured, Video
Did you know that, even 50 years after the passing of the revolutionary gender equity clause Title IX, 75% of colleges and universities are out of compliance with Title IX? Watch Drake Group leaders explain the lagging gender inequities and injustices in college athletics. See the full story
Racial Injustices in College Athletics
Athletes of color comprise the majority of all Division I football and basketball players and graduate at rates lower than their athlete and non-athlete peers. These athletes make the most money for their colleges and coaches, yet often have the least control over their academic opportunities and overall future success. See the full story
A Tribute to Gerald Gurney
The Drake Group is saddened to report that Dr. Gerald Gurney, who served The Drake Group as its President from 2014 to 2016 and as a member of its Board of Directors for twelve years, passed away on February 23, 2022. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Debra Stuart, and daughter Rachel. In … Read more
Webinar #15 – Critical Issues for Athletic Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Critical Issues Webinars, Video
Panelists explored those issues in intercollegiate athletics that are most significant for athletics programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Topics, among others, included the disproportionate impact of NCAA enforcement processes and NCAA Academic Performance Program standards, the impact of funding disparities between HBCUs and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs), whether the cultural significance of … Read more
Webinar #14: 2022 Sack Symposium Proceedings: Session 3: Name, Image, and Likeness — Chaos or Opportunity?
Critical Issues Webinar, Critical Issues Webinars, Featured, Video
Given the 2021-22 recruiting chaos created by differing state laws, lack of NCAA enforcement of inducement and extra benefit controls, and the call for common guardrails, what should be the role of Congress? What do H.R. 850, the College Athlete Freedom Act sponsored by Representative Lori Trahan (MA) and other federal NIL bills propose? What is the current status of … Read more