Today Sportslawtalk welcomes assistant director of athletics for compliance at the University of Illinois Springfield, Alison Fitzgerald.  Ms. Fitzgerald gives insights on what it’s like to be involved in a college athletic department as a compliance director.  Alison graduated from the highly regarded Marquette Law School sports law program.

SLT - Marquette University's sports law program is well known throughout the country.  Can you tell us what made you decide to go there, and particularly how the program prepared you for the sports law field after law school? 

Alison Fitzgerald - While completing my undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, I had a number of conversations with my advisor about law school.   In researching law schools, the National Sports Law Institute (NSLI) and Sports Law Certificate program that was offered at Marquette University Law School (MULS) really jumped out to me as a way to combine many of my different interests into a career that I would enjoy.  I owe all of my preparation to MULS and the Sports Law program.  Not only were there many sports law classes offered, but I was also set up with different internships in the area.

Although the classes that I took at MULS ranged from general law classes to amateur sports law to professional sports law, my internships focused on college athletics.  I had three internships during law school that greatly prepared me for my current role as a compliance director: first, as an intern for the compliance director at the Marquette University Athletic Department; second, as an intern for the NCAA Office of Government Relations; and third, as an intern for the compliance director at the University of Wisconsin, Parkside Athletic Department.

 The NSLI held a number of career panels and special events with speakers from the sports law industry for us (students) as well.  

SLT - You were able to get several internships before you began at Illinois Springfield. Would you share with our readers how you were able to get the internships? 

AF - In order to graduate from MULS with a Sports Law Certificate, program members are required to complete at least one internship.  The directors of the program work with students to find the best internship matches (through an interview process).  The first internship that I was set up with was through the Athletic Department at Marquette University.  I pursued the summer internship with the NCAA Office of Government Relations independent of the Sports Law program (although I did hear of the opportunity through a job posting at MULS).  I was offered that summer internship after interviewing for the position.  When I returned to MULS in the fall of my third year, I was interested in gaining more experience and was again set up with an internship, this time with the Athletic Department at UW-Parkside.

SLT- Is there a typical day for you in your position, and does your day vary by the time of year? 

AF - The beginning of both Fall and Spring semesters are definitely the busiest time of the year because of academic eligibility certification.  During those times, my focus is first on ensuring that all squad lists are accurate and that all student-athletes on those squad lists are academically eligible to compete.  Outside of those times, I focus on monitoring playing and practice seasons, recruiting, transfer releases, official and unofficial visits, and full-time enrollment or any changes in academic status.  I also serve as the advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and interact with student-athletes on a daily basis.

SLT- Illinois Springfield is making the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II, how does this change your responsibilities and duties? 

AF - My duties and responsibilities haven't really changed during this transition period because my original duties and responsibilities were to help lead the transition.  I have helped to implement and carry out all NCAA compliance systems, and now that those are in place, I continue to monitor compliance with NCAA rules.   

SLT - Most sports law professionals at one time considered being an agent. Did you ever considering becoming an agent? 

AF - Before I knew what other options were available to me, I considered becoming an agent but was never sold on the idea.  My interests in athletics and law made me first think about a career as a sports agent.  After doing some research on law schools, I came across the National Sports Law Institute at MULS and realized that there were many other career paths that I could take.  Once I started the Sports Law Certificate program at MULS my focus quickly changed to a career in college athletics.  College athletics is the better fit for my personality and interests. 

SLT - What advice would you have for a youngster interested in the sports law field, and how they should pursue their goals? 

AF - Be open-minded about the opportunities that are available to you, but at the same time, do not settle for something that will not benefit you either personally or professionally.  You do not have to have your exact career path planned out, but knowing your strengths and interests will help you be more successful in whichever path you choose. 

SLT - Thanks for the look inside the Marquette University Law School Sports Law Certificate program.  Our readers will appreciate the look at your role as director of compliance at the University of Illinois Springfield. 


Los Angeles Angel's Kendry Morales signs with Scott Boras

Morales fired agents Randy and Alan Hendricks in the move.  The Coral Springs, Florida Police Department and the MLBPA are questioning Rodney Fernandez, a former employee of Hendricks Sports Management, in the matter of a missing $300,000. from Morales' bank account.

The Angels GM had this to say.  "He (Morales) has representation, he has a union that will address these issues. That's between him and them." 



Rangers void Khalil Greene's contract Greene suffers from social anxiety disorder.  The illness, "is the most common anxiety disorder and the third most common mental disorder in the U.S.  An estimated 19.2 million Americans have social anxiety disorder." according to Amal Chakraburtty, MD, on WebMD.com.

Dealings between the Rangers and Greene are amicable.  According to Rangers GM Jon Daniels, "Khalil has made it very clear that he is not looking to profit from this situation. I've got a lot of respect for how he and his agent have handled this."

The illness did result in Greene's going on the disabled list in 2009.