In July 2025, college athletics changed forever with the approval of the House v. NCAA settlement, which cleared the way for universities to begin revenue-sharing payments to student-athletes. In “A New Era for College Sports,” author Preston Schmitt explores the settlement’s effect on the University of Wisconsin–Madison, helping alumni understand the complexities of this landmark change. Schmitt skillfully describes the context for the House settlement, including the chaos that reigned from two policy changes: (1) allowing student-athletes to profit from the use of their name, image, and likeness and (2) allowing them to transfer schools unlimited times without losing playing eligibility. He carefully weighs the pros and cons of new rules, with input from UW–Madison athletes, the athletic director, and a prominent coach. While considering the national implications, the article specifically analyzes the settlement’s significance for UW's sports teams and their fans. Schmitt finds cause for hope in UW–Madison’s determination to embrace change while staying true to core values. “A New Era for College Sports” received strong online engagement and praise from readers grateful for a comprehensive treatment of the subject. “Thank you for publishing Preston Schmitt's very enlightening article on the new legal environment in college sports,” wrote alumnus William Werner Jr.
From the Judges
A well-researched article on college sports. The judges praised the parsing of a complicated issue, the impact of nationwide decisions on student athletes, and the inclusion of relevant data throughout.
