OUR MISSION
Educate policymakers and advance legislative initiatives that foster academic integrity and athlete wellbeing in intercollegiate athletics
WHO WE ARE
The Drake Group (TDG) is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization working to better educate the U.S. Congress and higher education policymakers about critical issues in intercollegiate athletics.
We believe that the promise of college athletics is its continuing contribution to the development of participants and the excitement and community it brings to the higher education campus, alumni, and fans. We believe that this promise is only fulfilled if athletes who create this excitement are protected from educational and economic exploitation, discrimination on the basis of sex, race, and gender identification, and physical and mental abuse.
OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Influence development of state and federal legislation related to improving college sport.
- Issue non-partisan fact- and principle-based position statements on current legislation related to college sport.
- Disseminate fact-based research produced by The Drake Group Education Fund to legislators who are crafting legislation, producing reports, or conducting hearings on intercollegiate athletics reform.
- Identify academic experts to assist policy makers in the development of legislation.
- Secure sufficient funding to engage in legislative visits and other advocacy activities.
- Assist sponsors of positive legislation in obtaining co-sponsors and allied organizations to support such bills.
Lobby for federal legislation that furthers academic integrity and athlete well-being, emphasizing the imperative of ensuring quality education for college athletes.
- Advance federal legislation that would compel revisions in athletic governance necessary to eliminate or reduce the corrosive aspects of commercialized college sports.
- Solicit the involvement of like-minded organizations and individuals in urging Congressional passage of bills that advance positive change in college athletics.
- Advance legislation to establish a Congressional Advisory Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.
- Advocate for federal legislation that requires higher education institutions to make transparent data related to education outcomes, gender and race equity,, and fiscal conduct of intercollegiate athletic programs.
- Advance federal legislation that provides college athlete short- and long-term athletic injury and health protection, eligibility, and financial aid due process rights, and rights to be treated as other students regarding outside employment.