Rep. Jon Hardister Champions Student Athlete Fairness Legislation

Whitsett, NC – The North Carolina House and Senate have formed a Student Athlete Fairness and Protection Commission to ensure the fair treatment and protection of student athletes in the UNC System.

Rep. Jon Hardister and Victoria Allred on the golf course at Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro.

The environment of college athletics has changed drastically over the past 50 years. North Carolina recognizes it is time to explore laws that will protect and modernize the fairness of the UNC System for student athletes. These men and women are our future and North Carolina recognizes the commitment it must make to every student.

“This is a step in the right direction to create protections for college athletes so they will not have to face chronic injuries in the future,” Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford) said. “We need to make sure that we are protecting the health and well-being of student athletes as much as possible. This Commission will take a comprehensive look at how to accomplish that goal.”

Senator Warren Daniel (R-Burke) championed the Commission in the Senate while Hardister worked hard to get the Commission approved by the House.

Victoria Allred and her father Jay Allred visited Hardister’s office in 2017. After hearing her story, Hardister believed this is something the legislature should act on.

Allred played golf at East Carolina University where she experienced the hardship as a student athlete.

“I once thought that Victoria’s story was a unique experience that really doesn’t happen in college athletics, but as I looked into the issue and heard more stories, I learned that this has happened to many other students,” Jay Allred said. “Victoria and I worked with Senator Daniel and Rep. Hardister to find a solution that will prevent this from happening to other athletes. I am proud of the important work they have done and I look forward to continuing to provide support where I can.”

“While the experience that I had at East Carolina as a student was positive, there were certainly challenges as a student athlete,” Victoria said. “The system needs to be reformed to ensure that students will be treated fairly. I hope that my story serves as a model to ensure that future students will not have to experience my situation. I believe this Commission is a step in the right direction and it shows that North Carolina is committed to protecting student athletes.”

Hardister and Daniel will serve as a members of the Student Athlete Fairness and Protection Commission.