In a recent interview with Tulane Athletic Director David Harris, some pretty interesting insights came out about the current state of Tulane athletics. He talked about the shifting world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and even touched on the possibility of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with student-athletes.
This four-part series is meant to shine a light on the challenges and opportunities Tulane’s athletic programs are facing. You’ll also get a look at the future of athletic facilities and Harris’ vision for where Tulane sports might be headed.
The series rolls out on Mondays and Wednesdays over the next two weeks. Part 1 dropped on April 6th, kicking things off.
The Importance of NIL in College Athletics
College athletics is changing fast, and the ability to compensate student-athletes is front and center. Harris made it clear that NIL opportunities have quickly become a major way for athletic departments to invest in staying competitive.
This isn’t just a Tulane thing—programs everywhere are realizing that financial incentives for student-athletes are now a must if you want to keep up. It’s a pretty big shift from how things used to be.
Tulane’s Approach to NIL
At Tulane, they’re focused on making sure the university can actually offer NIL opportunities to its athletes. Harris pointed out that every school might handle NIL a bit differently, but at the end of the day, the goal is always to support student-athletes in a way that fits the university’s values and ambitions.
It takes everyone in the athletic department working together to pull together the resources and make it happen. It’s not just about money—it’s about alignment and teamwork.
The Give Green Campaign
Part 1 of the interview series digs into the Give Green campaign, which is a big deal for Tulane athletics. The campaign encourages people to donate to the athletic department, and there’s even a friendly competition among university departments to see who can get the most donors.
Last year, the athletic department hit a record: 987 donors pitched in roughly $400,000. This year, they’re aiming for more than 1,000 donors, with the real focus being on participation rather than the size of each donation.
How to Contribute
Donors can choose to give to the annual fund or the Green Wave Talent Fund. Harris emphasized that every donation matters, no matter how small, because it shows people care about Tulane athletics.
The idea is to get as many folks involved as possible and build a sense of community around the program. It’s not just about the money—it’s about showing up and being part of something bigger.
The Future of Athletic Facilities
Looking forward, Harris talked about the need to upgrade and expand Tulane’s athletic facilities. It’s a top priority if the university wants to keep attracting top talent and give student-athletes the best environment possible.
They’re talking new training centers, better stadiums, and improved support services. All of this is meant to fit with Tulane’s long-term vision for its athletic programs.
Investment in Competitive Success
Investing in facilities is just one piece of a bigger strategy to make Tulane more competitive. By offering state-of-the-art amenities and resources, the university hopes to create a place where student-athletes can really thrive.
That kind of commitment is expected to help with recruiting and performance. It might not be a magic fix, but it sure doesn’t hurt.
The Potential for a Collective Bargaining Agreement
One of the trickier topics Harris addressed was the idea of a Collective Bargaining Agreement with student-athletes. He admitted that while collective bargaining might sound reasonable, actually making it work in college sports isn’t so simple.
The big question is whether student-athletes—who aren’t technically employees—can even take part in collective bargaining. It’s a gray area, for sure.
Challenges and Considerations
Harris wasn’t sure a CBA is realistic under the current college athletics system. He mentioned that new rules or policies from the NCAA or schools often get pushback about whether student-athletes are truly represented.
Maybe collective bargaining could help with that, but moving to such a model would mean some major changes and a lot of careful thought about what it would mean for everyone involved.
Conclusion
Tulane’s approach to college athletics is changing, and honestly, it’s fascinating to see how they’re handling it. David Harris has shared some thoughts that really make you think about what’s coming next.
There’s a lot happening—NIL deals, the Give Green campaign, and talk about athletic facilities. They’re clearly focused on backing their student-athletes and making the programs better.
If you’re curious about all the details from the interview, the full article is over at SI Tulane.
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