That these refuses benefit College Athletes and their student bodies at large. But i think we have to consider whether the lure of such riches could corrupt the basic mission of Athletic Programs. Winning teams get higher payouts than losing teams which creates a strong incentive to win. An incentive which land grant public universities and others are more than happy to follow and win at any cost. Much of the money is often funneled right back into the sports programs in the form of multimilliondollar coaching facilities and state of the art facilities many of it paid for by the taxpayerses to perpetuate the cycle of winning. I think somewhere in my reading here, about 48 million of all the 900 million that ncaa gets from, you know, their broadcasting, march madness and all the rest of it, a very small portion goes specifically to academics. But even thats hard to figure. Because nobody has the figures. Mr. Emmert works for them. They make the decisions. He carries out what they want. And, yet, the subject of discussion is how does he carry out what they want. What powers doz do you have, mr. Emmert, for actually carrying out what you think is a good idea. Youre the president of three major university, different places, then i would think your passion for education would need to show itself. Athletics, to me, are meant to serve schools and their public duty to educate students. Not the other way around. Thats the way its always put forward. And thats the way it should always be. Dr. Mark emmert is here to present the perspective of the colleges and universities that belong to the ncaa. I would thank you for testifying. You could have declined to do so, some do, but you didnt, and im grateful for that. I believe you were put at the helm of the ncaa because you have an impressive academic credentials and a sterling reputation. And i think that we all appreciate that youre extremely well compensated. Your individual qualities are not what trouble me. I think im just very skeptical that the ncaa can never lift up to the lofty mission that you constantly talk about and which is written and printed in speeches and statements response to penn state this or that. Nothing comes before education, hes always there, but the actions dont appear to be. I dont see how the ncaa will ever be capable of making a safe, good, education experience for students their number one priority. I want you to tell me that im wrong. That i am wrong and that im particularly wrong about the future. But ill be a tough sale. I think we believe that the ncaa has largely been left to its own, to determine what forms are appropriate. And how to accomplish our mission, as we continue to learn more about what goes on at some major universities and colleges, we want to know if the ncaa is seriously considering how College Athletes are faring under this system. Not just living, as they do, but injured as they often become. Racked by poverty. If they dont do well, maybe theyre stipends are cut off. And is there an advantage in a mandated fouryear scholarship. All of these things are put at play. How are young men who strap on their helmets on a football field in front of 100,000 passionate paying customers, how are they doing . How are young men who lace up their shoes and play basketball for march madness that consumes the nation, and deliberately spread out over a long period of time so no kid, 12 years or 10 years or older could ever hope to do any homework because theres always basketball on. Are colleges and universities living up to their end of the bargain in providing them with a good education . Are these Young Athletes entitled to any of the billions of dollars that are reaped from their athletic service. And when young men and women put their bodies at work, whether womens lacrosse or mens soccer, do they have Adequate Health insurance . I dont know. I dont know. And i never go into a restaurant or barber shop or anything without asking sometimes to their discomfort, do you have health care . And i know what the answer is going to be. Dot schools and athletic leagues sufficiently minimize the risk of concussion . And what happens to a student injured before graduation, can he or she finish out their studies. Or does the scholarship run dry . Well, a couple of months ago, we all heard the deeply troubling comments Shabazz Napier the talented university of connecticut guard who was very valuable in the basketball tournament in the midst of a tournament that generated hundreds of millions of dollars for the ncaa and its members. Mr. Napier talking about how sometimes he did not have enough to eat during college. How did College Sports benefit mr. Napier on nights he went to bed hungry. You can look at it two ways. Oh, there he is trying to pick out a famous athlete and turn it into some problem. Im not trying to do that. I think it is a problem. And the whole sense of giving students a safety net, and a sense of confidence, if theyre not, they dont turn out to be as good, and they dont make the team. The third year, are they dropped, do they get scholarships or what happens . I dont know. The title of todays hearing is promoting the wellbeing and success of College Athletes. I want to have an openminded and frank discussion on this subject. The ncaa has the same goal as i do. Dr. Emmert is going to tell us that the ncaas commission is to protect College Athletes from abusive practices and exploitation. And promote College Sports as a means towards achieving academy excellence. Today, i want to explore whether the ncaa is fulfilling its mission. We still hear too many reports of fraudulent academics. We still hear stories for athletes who have nothing to show even though they provided millions and millions of dollars. Im here to tell you, and if perchance, the clem cats should control the Congress Next time. And nobody is quite sure about that, john thune has one idea. Bill nelson has another idea and you, yeah, okay. And that i think that we want to continue this. We want to make this a continuing surge of this oversight committee. We have jurisdiction over sports. All sports. And we have the ability to subpoena. We have the ability to weve created a special investigations unit. Were very into this subject. I personally am. I think our members are. And so, this is the part of the process here. So, im going to have some tough questions for our panel. The ncaa and its member schools, is it simple a little legal cartel, have College Sports become a multibillion dollar commercial enterprise which is no different than other corporate witnesses who have appeared before this information . And is the ncaa in fact have the best interests of College Athletes. Large questions and important to be answered. I turn now to my very distinguished ranking member, senator john thune from the state of minnesota. Thank you, mr. Chairman, for holding the hearing today. I want to thank our panelists for the opportunity to examine the current state of collegiate athletics. Like you look forward to hearing from our witnesses including how the ncaa and its member commissions are fulfilling that. Im an avid sports fan. I know others are as well. As a former basketball Player High School and college and the proud father of a daughter who competed at the division i level, i certainly recognize that the participation in sports requires not only physical strength but teaches team work and other skills that serve you throughout life. However, the college and student athlete is and should be a student first. Colleges must prioritize their academy obligation to student athletes. As the popularity of sports has grown in mens and Womens Basketball so, too, has the profitability of many collegiate programs. In the current environment, the stakes have been raised for the athlete who wants to succeed and a university that has a financial interest in winning games. Increasing revenues to some schools due in large part to the broadcast rights of football and basketball games have become more common. Revenues for ticket sales are also significant. And of course, alumni n krrcaa s to promote athletics and Higher Education so the academics of the student athlete is paramount, however, College Sports, some institutions appear unable to balance the core Academic Mission of the university and the commercial considerations that often accompany athletics, plarlg in highprofile sports. Many feel the commitment to the student athlete is falling short. Another point of contention involved athletic scholarships and whether the practice of offering annual instead of multiyear contracts result in the student possibly losing their scholarship. They may disadvantage smaller schools that cant match the resources of larger institutions. Clearly, collegiate athletics in america are not without controversy, and well hear from some of the most vocal critics today. I hope we will not lose sight of the positive impact that amateur athletics has made on the lives of countless student athlets. Its not just about basketball and football. They shared the results of a student athlete exit interviews he conducts annually to conduct the Schools Program from the Vantage Point of the athletes themselves. He underscored two things that stood out. The Athletic Director at usd reiterated how a sophomore diver recovered from openheart surgery to qualify to dive at the ncaa championships, the feat that would not be available without the support of the coaches, team, and family. He also animated the story of a sophomore swimmer who leaned on other athletes to support her in the loss of her father. She was able to return to the pool and she went to the summer championships. As a usd Athletic Director puts it, these two are just a sample of what College Athletics should mean. If you strip away the money, fancy locker rooms, chartered flights and large budgets, youre left with student athletes who often have to overcome personal, social, economic, academic, and athletic adversity, all just to compete. But they frequently do it with passion and determination that makes us all proud, end quote. Thats from the Athletic Director at the university of south dakota. Recognizing the challenges exist, its my hope the ncaa, its member institutions, the student athletes themselves and other stakeholders will Seek Solutions that promote the education, health, and well being of student athletes and seek to preserve amateurism in student athletics. This is an area where congress can provide a forum, but the solutions are most likely to come from those involved in the development of the student athletes. Thank you again for holding the hearing. I look forward to hearing and having an opportunity to question the witnesses. Thank you, sir. What were going to do now is were going to hear the testimony. And then both senator mccaskill and senator booker, both of whom are sterling and wonderful people, are going to get very, very angry at me. Because im going to charge into the regular order and im going to allow senator koets to ask the first question, which violates all the rules of the committee. Im mad. That will make you a better questioner. As the most Junior Member on the committee, the senate rules do not allow me to be mad at you, chairman. And for what its worth, i was of the impression also that we were on the first to arrive and ask questions in order. So i arrived add 2 10 just so i could be first. Because i didnt want to put you in a bad spot or breach the rules. You never do, and youre wonderful, so youll ask the first questions after the two of us. And thank you for being here. And dont be nervous. Okay. I mean it. Its a wonderful opportunity to say whats in your heart and on your mind. Yes, sir. First, i want to thank you you and the committee for inviting me here today. To share some of my experience and knowledge on this very important subject. Very complicated subject as well. I have had many conversations with fellow student athletes on this issue. About the current role of student athletes today. In this giant scheme of collegiate athletics, and we often walk away from those conversations with more questions than answers, so im hoping today is a First Step Towards answering some of those questions and providing some context and clarity to this discussion so that we can see our student athletes receive maximum edification in all aspects of their person, be it a student, an athlete, a leader, and a man and a woman. Thats very important to me. I wanted to start my remarks by beginning at the genesis of my story. My parents are from the island of the bahamas. My brothers are as well. I was born here in the states and raised in new jersey. I went to high school in princeton, new jersey, and after my school days in princeton, i would go to the university, and i saw this big statue, poster of this guy who became my hero, bill bradley. He was a rock star in my opinion. The epitome of what a student athlete should be. Nba hall of famer, u. S. Senator, and a Rhodes Scholar. The first time i heard those two words, Rhodes Scholar used in the same sentence. Once i fijsed high school in princeton, i had 83 scholarship offers to go anywhere i wanted to, and i was rated the Number One High School prospect in the country. I decided to go to Florida State. The first thing i did was going to the office of National Fellowships and told them i wanted to be a Rhodes Scholar like my hero, bill bradley. If he did it, i wanted to do it as well. Three years later, i was fortunate to earn that scholarship. Then i want to see my teachers and mentors and told you i want to increase my capital so one day i can be a pediatric nurse lie ben carson. Now hopefully ill be able to do that in the future. Lastly, i went to my strength coaches and my trainers, and i told them i wanted them to equip my body and get me ready for a career as a National Football player. Fortunately, i was able to be drafted by the titans and play for the steelers as well. It makes not only my story is pristine and ideal and maybe used as a poster child for what you want a collegiate student athlete to have experienced, but i will say that my story is quite rare and unique, and some people even call it an anomaly because outside of senator cory booker, the last Major Division i player to earn the scholarship was a rams quarterback. There are very few student athlete who had the same infrastructure, the family support, the foresight not come from a broken School System in high school, not come from a broken family, were able to engage in their College Experience and maximize their time. Many more of my teammates and friends and student athletes struggled in the college environment, struggled mightily, struggled economically because they became believe it or not, the main bread winners for their families and with vd to send some of their scholarship money to take care of their immediate and extended family. They also struggled academically as well. A lot would go through this academic machinery in their cleeb colleges and be spit out at the end left, torn, worn, and asking questions. With really no direction, no guidance on where to go, no purpose, no idea of their trajectory and sometimes left with a degree in hand that didnt behoove any of their future interests. Today, i hope today we can shed light on this aspect. As you said, chairman, were really pouring energy and life and money and exposure and highlighting on tv the life of the athlete. But i believe were still falling a bit short of edifying and improving, augmenting the aspect of the students, the person, the man, the woman, and even the philanthropist and leader. I believe if we can do that, if we can not only see our student athletes go on to become productive athletes in the preflsh rinks, but more importantly, be productive leaders and citizens who go on to be leaders of industry, of man, of woman, and have an indelible impact as they go on with their future. Thank you for having me here. Im looking forward to having this discussion. Thank you very much. Now, welcome. Devon, right . Good afternoon, chairman. Yes. Good afternoon, chairman rockefeller and members of the committee. Its an honor and a pleasure to have this opportunity to be in your presence and share my story and thoughts on the current state of College Athletics. Let me first thank you and your staff for your invitation. I was born to sharon and darren on december 8th, 1988. In new jersey. My mother always valued a strong education and sent me to a blue ribbon Winner School that covered kindergarten through eighth grade. I excelled in the classroom and participated in athletics. By the time it was time for me to leave, i had the opportunity to go to a school right down the road in princeton that played against myron. I decided this would be the best academic and athletic environment for me. I will go on to a successful academic and athletic career, graduating in 2007 and i decided to sign my letter of intent to go to the university of North Carolina at chapel hill. What drew me to that school was not only its esteemed reputation as a top Academic Institution but also as a nigh hire of the new head coach butch davis. It showed the university had an allaround commitment to excellence. My career at the university of North Carolina has been one filled with adversity. I have undergone five surgeries, been through three head coaches, and been asked if i wanted to transfer or if i wanted to take