Oliver Luck Visits UNCW: Speaks to Student-Athletes

By Ethan Marsh, Reporter

Wilmington, NC – Many know him as the father Indianapolis Colts’ Quarterback, Andrew Luck, and others as the NCAA Executive VP of Regulatory Affairs. Oliver Luck came to speak at Raiford G. Trask Coliseum on Sunday evening, November 1st, and addressed the issues of balancing school and sports for student-athletes. Luck spoke about his experience with the NCAA and what lead him to where he is today. He said the NCAA makes policies based on college athletes struggles, and he is immensely proud of college athletes - all 460,000 of them - in the United States. He addressed the fact that the United States supports college athletics in a way that nowhere else in the world does. This is because the NCAA realizes the importance of knowing how to be competitive, which translates to how important that mentality is in the real world for students after college. The NCAA strives to integrate college athletics with academics to make help students become well-rounded individuals. On behalf of the NCAA, Luck said they continue to look for ways to make the experience better for college athletes. Luck also advised that college athletes should give feedback to their coaches and never be shy to communicate differing viewpoints with them.

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Luck was very conversational speaking with the college athletes of UNCW who were present. One topic he addressed is how NCAA rules prohibit athletes from participating in fantasy football because it is considered a form of gambling. Other issues he mentioned were about cutting programs because of the NCAA’s Title 9 rule, which a track & field athlete mentioned in regards to the team’s adversity last season. A softball player mentioned that athletes simply need more time in a day to be able to put more focus on school and sports. One of the basketball players said the NCAA and professors should provide more academic support, especially when teams are travelling a long distance away from school. A women’s golf player mentioned how athletes have to drive 25 minutes or longer to their facilities off campus and should be given some type of compensation. The aspect of helping student athletes get jobs and opening up opportunities for them was addressed as well.

Oliver Luck was introduced by Chancellor Jose Sartarelli at the event. Luck’s persona was quite inspiring, as he brought up some interesting points about the struggles that college athletes deal with today.