Honors forum will focus on Razorbacks and the nation

Next fall, Honors students will get an insider’s perspective on intercollegiate athletics at an Honors College Forum, Razorbacks and the Nationwhich will be led by Scott Varady, executive director and general counsel of the Razorback Foundation and honorary alumnus of the U of A.

“Intercollegiate athletics is in a time of dynamic change,” Varady said. “With the ability for student-athletes to now capitalize on their name, image and likeness, we know that digital media will play an even more critical role in promoting individual and institutional brands. NCAA restructuring, the realigning conferences, determining a future college football playoff format, and negotiating future television and media rights deals are just a few of the emerging issues that will continue to dramatically alter the landscape of college athletics in the future. future. I look forward to discussing all of these and other fundamental aspects of intercollegiate athletics and the student-athlete experience.”

The course will begin with an overview of the college athletic model today, including the effects, intended and unintended, of recent changes in the law that allow NCAA athletes to profit from a wide variety of businesses. businesses without losing their eligibility. Throughout the semester, students will have the opportunity to hear from professionals from the U of A and beyond who work in various areas of college athletics, from outreach to marketing to college administration. sports conferences. Students will also have the opportunity to go behind the scenes of Razorback athletics, taking a close look at the facilities and general operations.

“This forum is a spectacular opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at college athletics in a time of great change,” said Noah Pittman, associate dean of enrollment and sports enthusiast, who will be assisting Varady with the course.

The 75 minutes, one hour credited Specialist College Forums bringing together star faculty and top administrators with honored students on a weekly basis to discuss hot topics.

Varady joined the Razorback Foundation as Executive Director and General Counsel in December 2015 after serving more than 19 years in the U of A’s Office of General Counsel. In his previous role, Varady provided legal advice and representation at the U of A, including the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. He also consulted with the Razorback Foundation’s external legal counsel on various matters.

Prior to joining the university, Varady worked as an associate with Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard PLLC in Little Rock and with Swidler & Berlin, Chartered, in Washington, D.C. He was also a staff member of the late Le Senator Dale L. Bumpers and former Rep. Bill Alexander. Varady received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1993, graduating magna cum laude. He earned a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1988, where he also won the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence.

A native of Little Rock, Varady earned a BA Honors in Political Science from the U of A in 1985. Varady is admitted to practice in Arkansas, the District of Columbia, the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas, the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. Varady and his wife, Melissa, have two children: Nathan, an orthopedic surgery resident at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, and Emily, a U of A Honors College graduate who majored in political science and works in Washington, DC.