NCAA Advocacy:
Many times, student-athletes find themselves being treated unfairly and feel as though they do not have a “voice” or independent support when encountering disciplinary or administrative proceedings with their school, conference, or the NCAA. An athlete’s eligibility is the lifeblood of their collegiate career, and without it an athlete cannot compete. Often, when allegations of wrongdoing are made, coaches and/or athletic departments will do what they perceive to be in the PROGRAM’S best interest rather than what may ultimately be in the best interests of the student-athlete. Therefore, it is vital that every student-athlete being investigated, interviewed, or accused should immediately have his/her own independent and experienced professional to advocate and offer guidance through this intimidating and complicated landscape.
Do not jeopardize your dream of achieving a college education, financial security, and potential career as a professional. Countless examples exist of cases where a mishandled investigation or interview caused a student-athlete to jeopardize their NCAA eligibility. Therefore, it is essential that student-athletes promptly obtain experienced representation to advocate for their interests during any inquiry by their institution or the NCAA.
Jason Setchen has been an attorney for over 25 years. Jason has worked on countless NCAA investigations and serves as the attorney for an array of athletes, both amateur and professional. Jason has also served as counsel for Athletic Directors, Assistant and Head Coaches, and Athletic Administrators in a compendium of legal and administrative matters and infractions investigations.
Jason was a standout athlete in high school competing in football, wrestling, and lacrosse. He was selected the team’s Most Valuable Player in football, and as a wrestler won a prestigious multi-school tournament in his weight class. As a Freshman at the University of Miami, Jason walked on to the football team at the University of Miami. Jason also played football abroad in Sweden while taking classes at Uppsala University. It was through these experiences that Jason determined that he desired to serve as an advocate for student-athletes
Call (305) 856-4044 now if you would like to schedule a consultation with Athlete Defender to discuss your legal or administrative matter.
Jason has previously handled issues including, but not limited to:
- FHSAA, NCAA and NAIA administrative proceedings including administrative appeals and collateral legal proceedings.
- Assisted student-athletes and institutions (on behalf of athletes) in the filing of waivers, hardship petitions, and other administratively based appeals and waivers.
- Represented student-athletes in connection with academic eligibility issues.
- Represented student-athletes in wrongful or contested team/school/conference/NCAA suspensions and dismissals.
- Represented student-athletes in improper and/or contested scholarship reductions or cancellations.
- Provided student-athlete advocacy in all types of internal administrative proceedings unique to the student-athlete including investigations run by internal compliance and by the NCAA and NAIA.
- Assisted in protecting the rights of student-athletes and their families in full-scale disciplinary investigations conducted by institutions, the NCAA and NAIA and law enforcement agencies.
- Provided counseling and support in student-athlete based transfer and scholarship release rights and contesting of unreasonable transfer interference and restrictions.
- Defended student-athletes in connection with disputed drug testing results whether conducted by the institution, conference or directly by the NCAA through Drug Free Sport.
- Provided advocacy for student-athletes in situations where a coach or coaches are acting inappropriately or abusively towards a student-athlete.
- Provided general counsel and advice concerning unique issues that arise at various phases of a student-athlete’s career.
- Assisted student-athletes with all aspects of the transfer process.
- Assisted student-athletes in contested NLI (National Letter of Intent) Release Matters.
- Provided legal advice and counseling to student-athletes and their families with Name, Image and Likeness (“NIL”) concerns.
- Assisted student-athletes in connection with gender, sexual orientation and race discrimination issues including Title IX proceedings.
- Provided counsel in institutional and NCAA enforcement proceedings.
Jason’s body of work as an advocate for student-athletes has been well documented in the media and has involved individuals currently or formerly competing in most of the major NCAA conferences including but not limited to the ACC, AAC, Sun Belt, Big Ten, SEC, Conference USA, and the Colonial Athletic Conference. Jason has also worked in conjunction with several athletic departments while serving as an advocate for student-athletes.
Jason has also served as a contributor on legal issues and provided NCAA related commentary on a wide array of sports issues for the Miami Herald and for other popular media outlets. Jason also regularly serves as a panel speaker at sports symposiums and was recently a guest speaker for the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) the Legends of Sports Symposium in Cancun, Mexico and has been a panelist at the University of Miami’s (FL) Sports and Entertainment Law Symposium as well as serving as a panelist at Chapman University College of Law’s Sports Symposium held in Los Angeles, CA.
If you or a family member is a student-athlete that has an issue which requires legal advice or advocacy, please contact Jason Setchen, ATHLETE DEFENDER, at (305) 856-4044 to schedule an appointment or send an e-mail inquiry to jason@jaslawfirm.com.
PLEASE NOTE THAT JASON SETCHEN IS NOT A SPORTS AGENT AND THE FIRM DOES NOT AND WILL NOT ACT AS A SPORTS AGENT OR PROVIDE SUCH SERVICES.
