Education Committee - Senate

We have a. English. I think we have okay. The reading. Its members so please take your seats will go ahead and get started. All right. Chair sees a quorum calling the Senate Education Committee to order today we have a special order of business at which is house bill sixteen seventy one. Want to welcome everybody that's here in attendance and we look forward to having you with us today and we look forward to also hearing your testimony as well so with that we will go ahead and get started with house bill sixteen seventy one Senator Hester you're recognized to present this house bill thank you madam chairman committees members I think we've all heard some discussion banter on this bill and for for different reasons I feel like we almost all if not all support this bill it was unanimously supported by the house and this is just a method of our college student athletes who give so much to the community and give so much in preparation to be you know to be rewarded for their hard work in you know in some compensation for the use of their likeness we take so much for them and they give so much to us this is a way of allowing us a you know as a state to keep us on a fair playing field with the rest the states and I'm going to hand this over to Matt with university to a talks more details thank you feel to state your name for the record then you're recognized to speak thank you senator. Thank you distinguished chair my name is Matthew McCoy I'm the senior associate general counsel for the University of Arkansas in athletics and I'm I'm here today to provide testimony with regard to. that bill that I think has a lot to do with the opportunities that this committee has created an education in Arkansas and this is an extension of that many of you are familiar with the anti trust lawsuit that was filed by it'll by at it'll be in an several years ago a star at UCLA basketball player. Whose name image and likeness was used in. eighty a sports video game that no compensation was paid to student athletes whose likenesses were were utilized through that that that is set the tone for name image and likeness across the country both at the federal level and with the NC double a. However we're in in the unfortunate situation of having no legislation to address that or protect our student athletes in this state there is an absence of such protections at a federal level and the NC double a is not at a point to be able to make decisions for our student athletes on that at this point so that's why this is introduced across just to give you a little background. Florida has already enacted name image and likeness law that takes effect July first twenty twenty one that'll be the first bill in any state that will be active six other states have now enacted them including several within the conference that Southeastern Conference university of Arkansas. More than twenty three other states have introduced this legislation and thirty seven have introduced it at some point over the last several years. To speak specifically about this particular bill I think there's some important things to know about what it does and what it doesn't do the the. Primary reason for this bill and what it absolutely does is provide student athletes their name image and likeness rights and these are the same rights that everyone in this room enjoys and every student athlete on each of our campuses across the state enjoys. Except our student athletes. this would restore the student athletes rights to use their name and image and likeness when they enter into agreements and to receive compensation for their name image and likeness. It also protects the same student athletes against penalty from any athletic governing bodies or associations if they do engage in those same rights. Now one of the misconceptions about these types of bills is that they are pay for play and this is absolutely not pay for play it does not change the amateur model for our student athletes all that allows them to do is to be able to utilize those things that already belong to them at their name their image and be able to commercialize those. It also allows them to obtain representation and I think many of the stakeholders behind this the sponsors behind this felt this was important so that they would not be exploited in this venture because I think all of us have heard of those horror stories about student athletes have who have been exploited by either one not having appropriate representation or having no representation at all. It also does something very unique that no other bill that I've seen across the state allows them to do it allows them to rescind that agreement when they access college when they're no longer enrolled so that they're not tied into an agreement where their circumstances have dramatically changed where they may have professional opportunities that they might not have had when they first enrolled in college. The other important thing it does is it preserves the university standards it ensures that there aren't conflicts with code of conduct or team rules or the contracts policies or rules of the institution. And a very very important point from an academic and athletic growth standpoint is that it promotes compliance. It requires transparency. And requires prompt disclosure of a name image and likeness agreements and their representation but that time period can be set by those institutions based on the the type of institution that it is. What it doesn't do. it does not render to student athletes employees does not create those the same obligations that go with being an employee they will still be student athletes. It does not pay them for their participation or performance and it also does not authorize them to capitalize on what would normally be state of Arkansas intellectual property logo's images For their commercial purpose. The last thing that I would mention is that this. would not apply to a student athlete until the date of their enrollment. And the effective date on this particular bill would be January first of twenty twenty two and the reason for that is. Our athletic director said expressed that they want to make sure that there is time to provide proper education for our student athletes in what their rights are and how to go about exercising those rights as a young college students and with that I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about the bill. Thank you you've actually answered one of mine which was no emergency clause and that it went into January one twenty twenty two but I think that's an important point to make that you have the ability to work with your athletes to ensure that they understand the process so that not taken advantage of and one of my quick questions is so when you say that this this really applies to the same standard that we already enjoy in that other students for Hobson's choice so with an example of that B. as student blogger or somebody who is making money off of videos that they are posting or a blog that they may have that's an online or a musician that student absolutely madam chair so right now we do have student athletes who are being taught to commercialize while they're in school architecture engineering are a school of business who go online and maybe in a meal plan will offer them money for so many coasts and they're crafting this social media or marketing images our student athletes are not permitted to do that right now right thank you senator back in you have a question. you you've alluded to the holding off to January first twenty twenty two for the education of the students would you be opposed to the students being required a personal finance class to to give to help them learn investment strategies how does spend the money wisely or invest the money wisely so this revenue new revenue streams this potentially there for them can be put to use. in codifying it into statute can be a little more complicated but we as a as an an institution and through the athletic department we already do that so that the the student development courses that they create for the student athletes are designed for them to understand. What the financial responsibilities are are going to be an out and Mister Garrett check and speak a little bit more to this but I know that for example at the university of Arkansas they've hired a senior associate athletic director for name image and likeness whose sole job it is to educate about the very things that you're saying about the risk in those contract provisions financial management of how that operates and and I know that almost all of our athletic departments try to focus on those types of what what I call living skills for our student athletes because too many of them to your point come into money so quickly if they're successful professionally but I I I'm I'm concerned that it's hard to to codified by statute. Only because it then kind of limits what the institutions are allowed may limit if if it's not properly drafted may limit what the institutions are allowed to offer and the flexibility that they offer with it that would be my only concern with that. Does the bill allow compensation for. From blisters or foundations are affiliated with the university no Senator not at all it in fact there's also a statute on the books right now that would create a civil cause of action still if boosters are providing that money to student athletes and they're determined to be ineligible thanks thank you okay I have Senator Elliot next. Thank you so much and if I if I another leader is that a part of this development course about finances. More specific about what they're actually learning and then more general with when they walk away from that course what they understand capitalism and what it's all about because we expect people to bow down to capitalism but we never. Teach about it and what it actually means that I'll probably have to defer that the bigger part of that answer to our athletic directors to speak about the development part for that on student athletes are here they are yes we plan to have the athletic directors come up and thank but but I'm at least my awareness of it is that we have a number of courses in fact I think the name image and likeness course they're developing a six week course for five to try to address a curriculum that covers those types of things but I think that's certainly an important thing to point out with windows courses are being crafted well okay we'll just respond may testify to be great on on page two. On page two beginning with line of thirty two through thirty five I'm I'm been trying to figure out the relevance of that in from of of that language since the person is. Not going to be eligible. Is taken up for some of that might be misinterpreted. Your I'm sorry Sir you're talking about that. Tion of student athletes are lying to you. I yes but but it's it's on page to start one line thirty two. That's the language on talking about that goes through nine thirty finds. well the reason why because we reference student athlete throughout the entire bill and the only reason it's I think it's a misconception for those folks outside of this room. You think that there's something other than an NC double a rule that prevents someone from being able to do this that's really the only limitation they have so that's why we address student athlete in the specific. Is so that we don't have that so broadly interpreted. Five. That. we can't address the specific circumstance for student athletes and how they're competing that makes sense I'm sorry. I'm I'm working with that I'll I wish we just kind of the questions and I'll try to think it through but this is still not because it is not clear to me if they are not a part of the mix why they are in the bill it's not clear you mean. Why is it in there at all what we're talking about him at all you're not approve that discusses confusing to me. While at the it's I'll tell you in the grand scheme of things it's confusing to me too I'm not in this bill but that the NC double a cars that out as a limitation for student athletes so the only reason we're specifically directing the definition is to try to get it back for them okay that makes sense okay thank you thanks management. Thank you senator Chesterfield you're recognized. Thank you madam chair in the morning. it's an honor to have you here. The NC double rate is in agreement with this bill we will not be out of compliance if we do this right. No I don't think that's true I think across the country everyone of these bills would be in conflict with the NC double every all every single one of them that's filed that's part of the reason all the states are in this situation is it puts pressure on the NC double a to try to figure this out if I'm in in plain language I think it also. Ideally we would have a federal response to this that would protect everyone I guess there is good with that is they can be. That makes sense of. But all all of the states are passing it they're in a position right now where I think they are not there is a certain components of it that are not being enforced but there's no legislation right now that has been enacted by the NC double a so currently it is prohibited by the NC double a this would make it a civil cause of action if it continued to be prohibited after January first so that a student athlete would be able to file a lawsuit against the NC double a if they continue to prohibit them from doing it. So that's a very good question because I think that a lot of other people may not. realize that it's very very important I think in and I think it's important too because I do know the old parent sometimes of the NC double a as for students and their welfare I assume because I see so many individuals in various institutions that use a an agreed upon bill from are from across the state. That is my understanding there then I would say collaboration from every higher ed Institute every athletic department higher rate institution from every chancellor every AT and every president and I have at least I personally have not received any negative comments You're going to get senator. Yes all right thank you thank you senator Chesterfield yes Senator Eads you're recognized for a question. Thank you madam chair. Will there be a way as far as the representation status of this to be able to differentiate between those that are being represented ft for this type of issue verses those that are you know representation for going to professional status is no longer becoming no longer being a student athlete how how will that be separated yes senator there there are currently to. Two statutes on the books for or to access the I would say with the statutory framework on the books right now to address that Arkansas has enacted the uniformed agents act that currently addresses the requirements for professional representation so right now professional anyone who wants to represent someone in their professional career would have to register with the secretary of state they would have to notify the athletic department and they would not be able to do this while the student was enrolled that law is not going to change that there's actually a criminal penalty for violation of that law and I think certain violations or a felony under that particular law so the student athlete will still be protected with regard to the requirements for professional representation this particular bill is only a draft addressing the representation with regard to their name image and likeness rights and it's authorizing that for their all through their current enrollment. Thank you are there any other questions. And clearly the way you have it defines you can either be a scholarship student athlete or you don't have to be on scholarships that correct answers that's correct thank you. Senator Elliot. R. R. are there Entity is. With whom students may not enter into a contract. And who decides that is on the that somebody might can help me with this page yeah I that I read that but. But I'm not sure I. I'm not sure it covers everything that I'm thinking could be possible or or Forrest what's in the bill just yet on black and white and that's the end of the story. That there is Senator there is there some language within this bill that does give our institutions a little more discretion because it also says that the contracts are student athletes enter into must comply with the rules and policies of the institution so we try to get a little flexibility in the event there something that's occurring that we believe is hurting our student athletes or that needs to be addressed it would allow an institutional boards to be able to come up with a rule at the institutional level to try to address that so there is some flexibility in this bill at the institutional level but the board is the only entity that would have some effect on that discretion well that well that or the other depending on how the university set up okay you know that the chancellor the president if that's the way they're authority that runs for the campus. Thank you are there any other questions all right see none thank you we're going to bring up the athletic directors I believe that are here to testify for the bill thank you you're welcome thank you. Thank you gentlemen will please just state your name for the records and first and then we'll let everyone of you proceed first got on the line. hunter Yurachek director of athletics at the university of Arkansas Fayetteville. Thomas Boeing vice chancellor athletics Arkansas state university and brand team director of athletics at UCLA. All right thank you you're recognized to be again Mr checked yes and so it this is a bill about student athletes and for the benefit of student athletes right now our student athletes give up their rights to their name image and likeness to to participate in collegiate athletics it's been mentioned that other students on our campus I do not have to do the same thing And and really one of the reasons I think one of the main reasons this is and places because our legislative body the NC double a and its members of which we all represent a school that sentence of a membership of not figured out how to legislate basic human integrity in the recruiting process of young men and women because we feel like this name image and likeness and open this up will create some chaos in the recruiting process where they'll be some misgivings in that recruiting process for student athletes will be given benefits at the they haven't earned through their name image and likeness to incentivize them to attend your institution and I I think that they will be that will be an issue but that's an issue that we need to deal with as a legislative body and should not penalize our student athletes for that and as has been mentioned at the University of Arkansas we've hired an administrative person a senior associate AD for athlete brand development that sole focus will be on creating an educational program to the Walton college of business to educate our student athletes in a six week course on how to appropriately monetized name image and likeness if that's their desire they'll be many of our student athletes who will not want to take the time to do so because it's another job for them and being a student athlete is already strenuous enough on their schedule but we also want to provide those opportunities for student athletes that do want to monetize their name image and likeness and provide them this and we don't want to do this with blinders on we want to make sure that they're educated that they're protected. The student athletes but first and foremost they should have this opportunity. Good morning Hendren hunter said It pretty clearly I think some pieces on this that are there in motion that is a timing issue here as well well all the states are participating in name image and likeness legislation the federal government currently has a bill the collegiate athlete economic Reform Act it's in United States Senate and so is the NCAA division one counsel in the leadership the NCAA's and process in the coming weeks if not the coming months to put a umbrella blanket rules over all of this the problem today is that right now every state is taken upon themselves to create names in like this for the state of Arkansas this it affects every single student athlete at every division at every level and every institution. This is important for them this is about them this is a benefit for them we'll figure out how to govern it will figure out to keep a compliant but this is their opportunity to be like all the other thirty seven states allow their student athletes the same opportunity so we're here today to tell you it's important we understand the challenges with it we also know that federal litigation and guidelines are coming and we build we embrace that but today we're here to to speak to you to show Arkansas shall we say passion for this moment for us to do the right thing for the student athletes in higher education in the state of Arkansas. Madam chair thank you senators we appreciate you considering this bill and it is very important to all of us as you can hear the passion in my colleagues voices and at U. C. A. it is important for us as well we want to create opportunities for our student athletes as they have stated that other states are doing for their ears and we wish our situation had figured this out sooner but they just have not so we need to take a stand in our state and be one of those who will provide these opportunities for our young men and women and we want to be a part of that thank you. Thank you are there any questions from members of the committee senator Beckham you're recognized for a question. This is just. Have questions directed all three were primarily under here currently with student athletes you so that you very hire someone to help work they'll work with them on branding monetizing their name into the image and likeness there is no time constraints or conflicts with their schedule. Doing the. Attending practice and completed college coursework with this additional requirement additional education available this will be introduced to a kind of a beta group of freshmen student athletes as most of our freshman come in during the summer their their time is up they have a little bit more time to devote to this during the summer and so this six week program will be introduced to them during the summer because you're exactly right the educational process trying to manage this when you get into your football player into your fall season where you have classes and then you have practice you're traveling to games of the impossible for the student athletes to balance that's we're gonna introduced this to our student athletes during the summer where they have more time to participate in this educational sessions and there's no financial impact or hardships on the university for adding this position and and are offering this additional course correct but there is a financial I said in a position we've we've got the salary that's in place for that right now working with the walk in college is not an additional piece of financial burden on the athletic department or while in college to develop this curriculum there's a kind of a he said this between those two entities to work together to make sure that our student athletes are properly educated the other universities are are they able to influence we are we're or under and I speak for Arkansas state we're actively creating educational moments right now start with my staff source of my head coaches Sturch some assistant coaches really explaining what name it was like this is about to understand that the image and likeness opportunities that exist for other students and other entities has always been there in certain students over the last hundred years been able to have the image and likeness through a waiver to the NCAA had a process to get a waiver one started sure company want to start a radio show so this this is already been a motion what this is now is is the absolute ability for the entire student athlete population in the NCAA four hundred seventy nine thousand of them to be able to go out. Have names like this so they can control first thing it's going about as educating coaches educating the student athletes providing space for them to do this providing you know the explanation of what they can do if I'm a golf ball student athlete I can now go out and teach the kids and give lessons I can run a camp if I'm a tennis to nothing I go give lessons that was always for been this is not just about get your name on a Billboard this is about an ability to to take your talents would god given talents have been given and go out and do what other people do every day so this is an opportunity that's intrinsic right of the student athletes and that's what we're doing. Thank you. Yes senator Beckham we don't have the ability to add a new position but we are working on a financial literacy program through our college of business in the summer as well correct thank you. Thank you that we have we have talked a lot this session about financial literacy and how important it is for kids and really you know all the way starting in elementary schools three middle school high school and in college because I think it's just it's a critical component about how you can then manage for yourself and how to avoid those traps that are out there so I think it's incredibly important not just for student athletes that really for all the kids in this New World that we're living in particular with social media you know it's heartbreaking to see an artist I was a former dancer and and I think it's just heartbreaking to see some of the musicians and artists that have fallen you know into some horrible situations when you know it's something that they're so passion about that they created themselves in an athlete is a little bit like that to you as an artist and as somebody who has developed their own movements you know and and and that can be capitalized upon by different organisations but it's very particular to that person and that individual I think it's really an important part of the conversation because it's sad to see somebody with what you're saying god given talents that god given skills no really not be able to have that as their own and just somebody as I'm speaking you know from a dancer's perspective it was important for for us and how how we operated as artists to and there's a little bit of a parallel there to be honest with you but so I'd I'd I do want you to and know that that's been a big focus I think of this committee is financial literacy and education are there other questions for the members of the athletic directors. Madam chair if I could a great example of this in action right now we have an elite student athlete on our track and field team easily in a number of ways but is he runs on two prosthetic legs he is built the following over a million and a social media platforms he has signed two agreements valued over six figures in both of those agreements which made him ineligible to compete this season and track and field if this bill is passed in January we believe we can get him eligible to compete again and he's benefiting from his name image and likeness and that's just one example of the a young man that understood how to monetize his brand and for the most part did it legally except for was against NC double a rules so I mean with that point that you just brought up I mean one of the things that I think is what you're trying to say to the perhaps it is it's important for them to get their college degree actually just stay in college and to compete on that level and to get that degree because I mean the end of the day the education come I think that's really important for all of us to see that absolutely and in minutes many of our student athletes senator Levin allow checks back home to take care of their family there and many of them could have an additional opportunity to see great value in their name image and likeness and make some money that maybe they can hold on to or send additional money back home. Thank you other questions all right thank you thank you for being here. Thank you. Thank you for being here and traveling safe travels back we also have some coaches I think that are here with us today I would invite them to come up to the table. Thank you gentlemen for being here with us today if you will to state your name for the record and then you may proceed just pusher pusher red button push the button on your microphone. I'll go first okay of my neighbors on the women's basketball coach university of Arkansas all right thank you. That there are commencement men's basketball university of Arkansas all right thank you you're recognized. Sturch I you know for from our perspective I think it really is all about the student athletes first and foremost and then just from a competitiveness recruiting wise I think it's really important and it's not just our current student athletes asking about this asking about what's going to happen with our own institution what's going to happen in our state but also with athletes we're currently recruiting their parents and then even two classes down I mean this is something that you're talking about you know juniors in high school asking about and wondering about from both their parents their inner circles our families and the current student athletes. Thank you it's the hottest topic out there it is what is being asking every home visit every zoom that were on from families for opportunity for their student athletes in as a lifelong our cans and public schools of Greenwood Arkansas the University of Arkansas. Providing the same opportunity that people at other places have is of the utmost importance we hear it and every phone call every opportunity we have to communicate with them this is at the forefront of that conversation. Just in the **** we had on our campuses there's a great plan in place for us to provide those opportunities and to stay competitive with everybody in the country. Thank you let me be the first congratulate you both on incredible seasons and your players the players were they did they did amazing jobs and I made the state of Arkansas really proud and it was really fun to watch them so congratulations. Please share the with your players you know how proud we are of them and when they achieved are there questions from members of the committee for the our coaches. Centre back on have the same question for you how do you feel about personal finance for student athletes. Yeah I mean I think that for sure the education piece is really important you know I think obviously having someone on campus is going to be really important that I actually think that you know at least for. The group of players that I'm coaching that that this is going to be really important for their for you know for their life because you know so many of we're gonna go on to play somewhere in the world maybe not in the NBA but they're gonna need this education process prior to venturing into the real world so I actually think it's a great thing at a younger age to experience this from an educational standpoint obviously the plan that that hunter has in place along with Matt with having someone on campus to meet with and go through and obviously the magnitude of of what we're talking about for many of them is going to be on a much smaller scale than what they'll go once they leave the university and it's a great way for them to learn you know what this business world is all about I don't think there's any better way to start than while they're in college learning both things that are in books and then also what's going to happen in the real world with their careers post college. Three thank you. Senator Elliot. Somebody is calling you. And that's the latest recruit and I'll take. Malcolm dead. two questions one is is you know like if you're if you're coaching and you teacher student and athlete something is not one and done you continue to coach. We'll but will this Training that they get will there be some ongoing support for them I I didn't think of asking this one we had probably the right people up there too to answer that question but do you happen to know. What if it will be ongoing like if I'm that athlete and I'll get into some kind of business are you doing well we're not doing well that there somebody I can go back to who can assist me if I get hung up on something about to make a bad decision or whatever I'll provide you with this example I have a young lady that just finished her eligibility on our team for four years she's been on our team a week after our season was over she was signed by Jordan brand with Nike. Her first phone call was to me. I think once we're connected to these kids in such a way over such a period of time they know they can it's up to them whether they will or not call us back she with they will call they know we've been there form we've earned some trust. There will be a connection for us as long as they're looking seeking it out and we've got the best sources of information behind us if you talk to some of them you heard Matt for medical eight we we get educated as coaches. And about one percent of my job is basketball. I think maybe two percent for coach but so many of those things are exactly what you're talking about providing that resource and a voice to talk to them about and provide information and even if we don't have the answers my answer more often than not as I don't know but I can connect you to somebody in the resources which are available to us are immense. All right and and my second question maybe is just a suggestion in case it's not being done but I know in many cases as a student might you know come to the universities or as an athlete they don't know about finances nor do their parents their families on now so I can see a real conflict if I got educated about finances and my parents had another idea is there any place in here that a family member or maybe a way to think about it if you're not with it we're not planning for this T. if families choose to participate in some way so that there is a complete education for everybody I think that would be really important because otherwise kids might listen to their parents and I don't mean this in a pejorative way who just don't have the advantage of knowing about the finances that are being taught to there to there are some people that I can use an example of you know there's insurance that can be provided for a student athlete if they have pro potential and the communication that went on with a student it's just now leaving us between the student athletes and the parents both with athletic director coaching staff members to explain what that insurance entails I'm sure will be the same plan in place for the name image and likeness where there were there is it's it's everybody's included in those conversations not just the student athlete because it is important that their parents or even it could be an aunt uncle or grandmother that all or part of these discussions and understanding what they're about to bar embark on if there is a you know commercial or whatever it may be for the student athletes. I I I was just I don't want to get on board Smith the about it but I'm really glad you got to that word understanding because if we just tell them. That system that I did have to sit and listen to you but we're clear about what they need to have the understanding as well as the student not just that somebody talk to them and said you know how we do when we all sign off on our contracts with apple whoever who we haven't read all that stuff we need somebody to tell it to listen and help us learn it so I appreciate that and I suspect that's not it a legislative thing but I think it's just really important thank you in our profession we haven't we haven't taught until they've learned that that that comes across every single day and we with these new things in the last four years with this cost of attendance check these young people. They're better than I was in college. Because I didn't have any money to manage I don't have any finances to be financially literate with. The student athletes are provided a check now and they have to manage them. And I don't know coach could probably speak to this but in my four years at the university of Arkansas I have seen. Then change from taking their check to buy clothes and shoes into saving to buy cars. And things that they need for their future computers I've seen that happen and I think this generation gets it better than mine. And I think it is because we are teaching them and they are learning. Baby steps but they are learning and I think given the opportunity to have more of this will only provide more growth in there and change the way that they're able to do things. Thank you are there any other questions I think it is a good point to introduce it to them early is so important because of how it's going to impact the rest of their lives something that's critically important in the connection obviously they have with you as a coach goes beyond just the basketball courts or the football field soccer field at the golf course or the track yes so thank you and if you'll just extend also to my wishes to you and the gymnastics program Page last flew off the charts this year and I was so proud to see them do what they did and we've got to athletes competing this week in a national champions. Go go Razorbacks for the for those young ladies to thank you all right no other questions thank you and thank you for being with us today at Senator English you have against here that I think you would like to introduce that's going to speak for this bill you're recognized Senator English. Thank you very much I'd like to introduce my granddaughter Sydney partly who is going to speak on this bill. She is a. Recent graduate from the University of Arkansas office as a softball player. Thank you for being with us if you'll just press that button and introduce your name for the records thank you Sydney partly former athlete at the university of Arkansas first off I'm just super thankful for this opportunity and I'll make it short quick to the point speaking on name image and likeness I understand that it's broader and larger than the two quick points that I'm about to make but something that I experience whenever I was a student athlete so first off I applied for and was honored with two great internships one being after my freshman season with the Major League Baseball network and C. caucus New Jersey and then after my sophomore season I went on to intern for the New York Mets Major League baseball team the form thank you. Before my internship so I wanted to use my name image and likeness to raise some money to be able to pay for the expenses of those extremely expensive internships so just to explain when I was there my family had to pay for my apartment my food my travel one facility for me to weight training strength train speed agility training another facility for me to be able to get myself all worked we also had to pay for a trainer to third of may be P. so I was still able to stay in shape so once I got back to campus I was ready to go for the season but you get the point stemming off of this point athletes they don't have the time to work through their packed schedules our commitment to the university their team the state fans personally if I could have been able to use just my name image and likeness to raise some money to be able to pay for those experienced those expenses it would've been great also if I was able to use my name image and likeness to even do camps clinics give individual lessons to make money to give back with my knowledge that I gained that would have been great as well the same holds true to an initiative that I did a few summers ago where I collected over two thousand pounds of softball and baseball equipment to be sent to the Dominican and other parts within the United States to give back to kids but I really wasn't able to use my platform to promote my initiative or to be able to raise money to send out equipment to the Dominican and other parts within the United States today as a former athlete I do not get to use my name image and likeness or I guess forty five to fifty girls individual softball lessons a week I go around the country putting on camps and clinics and some other audit and things but with the laws and regulations that are in place by the NC double a when I was a student athlete at prohibit me from doing so. When I was an athlete and for those athletes better athletes now and are going to be athletes being able to use their name image and likeness it is going to make such a huge huge impact on their lives lastly I'm going to speak because I was an athlete at the university of Arkansas there's no better time now than razorback athletics and it's only going up from here under your check has done an outstanding job he added vision he's executed that vision he's an absolute class act for what he does for the student athletes the coaches the staff the athletic department the university in the state of Arkansas but passing this bill it will only help and will continue to prevail the University of Arkansas athletics and the student athletes forward as the other universities institutions and the student athletes within the state again I know the two points I made they might not be larger broader head on the social media aspect of it but I hope I gave you all some insight as a former athlete who played for something way bigger than herself thank you. Thank you. Thank you for being here thank you I appreciate the opportunity you're welcome we're glad to have you with us great job. Thank you and I think you have a very proud grandmother. You know it's really nice to have you with us. Great example of a great graduates thank you Senator Hester you're recognized to close for your bill thank you members for come down at a special set the order of business today and I'm I'm closed and appreciate a good vote. All right thank you motion to pass second all those in favor say aye. And oppose ayes have it the bill passes thank you all for being here safe travels back home we are adjourns.