McDonald Takes Raider Voice to Capitol Hill on College Sports Legislation
9/16/2026 3:00:00 PM | General, Track & Field
WASHINGTON, DC - Wright State senior Jahi McDonald met with members of the U.S. Senate this week to discuss the Protect College Sports Act, bipartisan legislation that would establish national standards for name, image, and likeness compensation, player transfers, eligibility, and enforcement across college athletics.
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Thirty athletes from around the country attended the press conference, along with coaches John Calipari, Mark Few, Rick Barnes, Craig Bohl, Kelvin Sampson, Ed Cooley, and Craig Robinson. Senators Ted Cruz, Maria Cantwell, Shelley Moore Capito, and John Hickenlooper were among the legislators in attendance.
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"Throughout the day, numerous student-athletes from programs across the country and I spent our time at the U.S. Capitol emphasizing the need for a stable national framework within the NCAA," said McDonald. "Women's and Olympic sport protections, clear and consistent national rules surrounding eligibility, as well as guaranteed NIL protections were just a few of the major areas of emphasis in the bill that we highlighted while speaking with key policymakers.
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McDonald, a senior on the track and field team and marketing major from Huber Heights, serves as president of Wright State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and represents the Horizon League on the NCAA's national Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He was appointed to the NCAA track and field oversight committee, where he works alongside coaches, administrators, and former Olympians on issues facing the sport. He has also participated in NCAA discussions on NIL policy, revenue sharing, and eligibility standards throughout his time at Wright State.Â
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"It's essential that student-athletes' voices are heard when decisions are being made about some of the most pressing issues facing them," McDonald continued. "I'm beyond grateful to not only be included in such important discussions, but to also represent Wright State and the Horizon League with pride while doing it."
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His trip to Washington placed a mid-major, Horizon League perspective directly in front of the senators drafting national policy — a conversation, department officials noted, too often shaped primarily by input from Power Four programs and their athletes.
The Protect College Sports Act is expected to come before the full Senate in the coming weeks.
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Thirty athletes from around the country attended the press conference, along with coaches John Calipari, Mark Few, Rick Barnes, Craig Bohl, Kelvin Sampson, Ed Cooley, and Craig Robinson. Senators Ted Cruz, Maria Cantwell, Shelley Moore Capito, and John Hickenlooper were among the legislators in attendance.
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"Throughout the day, numerous student-athletes from programs across the country and I spent our time at the U.S. Capitol emphasizing the need for a stable national framework within the NCAA," said McDonald. "Women's and Olympic sport protections, clear and consistent national rules surrounding eligibility, as well as guaranteed NIL protections were just a few of the major areas of emphasis in the bill that we highlighted while speaking with key policymakers.
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McDonald, a senior on the track and field team and marketing major from Huber Heights, serves as president of Wright State's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and represents the Horizon League on the NCAA's national Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He was appointed to the NCAA track and field oversight committee, where he works alongside coaches, administrators, and former Olympians on issues facing the sport. He has also participated in NCAA discussions on NIL policy, revenue sharing, and eligibility standards throughout his time at Wright State.Â
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"It's essential that student-athletes' voices are heard when decisions are being made about some of the most pressing issues facing them," McDonald continued. "I'm beyond grateful to not only be included in such important discussions, but to also represent Wright State and the Horizon League with pride while doing it."
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His trip to Washington placed a mid-major, Horizon League perspective directly in front of the senators drafting national policy — a conversation, department officials noted, too often shaped primarily by input from Power Four programs and their athletes.
The Protect College Sports Act is expected to come before the full Senate in the coming weeks.
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Players Mentioned
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Friday, March 27
Sunday, March 22
Wednesday, March 11
Tuesday, March 10
