LeadersConnect Presents The History of Sports and the NIL Era

Greg Dooley will be the featured speaker for this event. College athletics has been reinventing itself for more than a century. So how did we arrive at name, image, and likeness — and what does it mean for the institutions and communities built around these teams? Greg Dooley teaches this history at the University of Michigan, tracing college sports from its earliest days through the reforms and reinventions that shaped it, right up to the NIL era, which is now rewriting the rules. Expect a clear-eyed look at what NIL is actually changing, and what it means for the towns and campuses built around these teams. Special Guest: Carol Hutchins We are also excited to welcome Carol Hutchins, legendary former University of Michigan head softball coach, as a special guest. Carol will share a preview of Michigan Athletics’ 2026 Women in Sports: ElevateHER Summit, taking place October 15 from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Crisler Center. ElevateHER brings together leaders and alumni from across the sports industry for an evening focused on storytelling, leadership development, networking, mentorship, and expanding opportunities for women in athletics. About Greg Dooley Greg Dooley is a full-time lecturer at the University of Michigan, where he teaches School of Education courses on athletics history, leadership, and NIL, and supports recruiting for the Coaching and Leadership minor. He has chronicled college football history at MVictors.com for 25 years and has been featured on the Big Ten Network, in The New York Times, and on radio. He co-hosts the Professor and The Pundit podcast and speaks regularly to U-M alumni clubs, corporate audiences, and athletic departments.