Last December, we spoke about the imperative to lead through a period of profound change in college athletics. At the University of Utah, that meant advancing innovative solutions like Utah Brand Initiatives, an effort designed to sustain the legacy of Utah Athletics while protecting our core academic, research and health care missions.

Since then, it has become even clearer that college sports are at an inflection point. The combined impact of NIL, the transfer portal and the House v. NCAA settlement has reshaped the landscape introducing both new opportunities and significant financial and structural challenges for institutions across the country.

I was grateful to join leaders from across higher education and athletics at the White House last month to contribute Utah’s perspective to this important national conversation. That discussion made clear there is broad consensus, we must bring greater stability, clarity and sustainability to college athletics.

Along those lines we welcome today’s executive order from the Trump Administration as a meaningful step in that direction. The executive order underscores key priorities that were discussed at the roundtable.

Our focus remains clear: We will protect and elevate the legacy of Utah Athletics; support the development of our student-athletes, including those in Olympic and women’s sports so they thrive in competition, in the classroom and in life; and continue to build a financial model that ensures long-term success without compromising the mission of a leading public research university.