The Truth About NIL, Scholarships, and the Transfer Portal: What Every Track & Field Athlete Needs to Know

If I could sit down with every high school athlete, transfer portal athlete, and parent for just ten minutes, this is the conversation I would want to have.

Over the past year, I’ve noticed a major shift in recruiting. Student-athletes are asking different questions than they did even a year ago. Many of those questions are centered around NIL, scholarship money, fees, and what colleges are “allowed” to provide.

Unfortunately, much of what athletes believe comes from social media, group chats, or someone who heard something from someone else.

As a college coach, I understand why.

College athletics has changed more in the last few years than at any other point in my career. The problem isn’t that athletes are asking questions. I encourage questions. The problem is when misinformation begins driving life-changing decisions.

Let’s separate fact from fiction.

Myth #1: Every Division I school can now pay athletes whatever they want.

Not true.

Yes, college athletics has entered a new era. Some schools are participating in revenue-sharing models, while others are making different financial decisions based on their institutional resources and priorities.

Every Division I school is different.

Just because one university can provide a certain benefit doesn’t mean every university can—or even chooses to.

Before assuming another school has more to offer, ask for specifics.

Myth #2: A “full ride” means everything is paid for.

Not necessarily.

A scholarship is a financial aid award. Depending on the institution and the scholarship agreement, it may cover tuition, fees, room, board, books, or a combination of those expenses.

Every financial aid package is different.

There may also be academic scholarships, Pell Grants, institutional aid, or other forms of assistance that combine to create the final package.

That’s why comparing scholarship offers isn’t always as simple as asking, “Is it a full ride?”

Myth #3: NIL can cover anything your scholarship doesn’t.

This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions I hear today.

NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness.

It is designed to compensate student-athletes for the legitimate use of their personal brand through activities such as endorsements, appearances, camps, clinics, social media promotions, or sponsorships.

NIL is not intended to replace a scholarship.

It is not supposed to be a shortcut around NCAA rules.

And it certainly shouldn’t be treated as guaranteed income simply because an athlete signs with a particular school.

Myth #4: Everyone in the transfer portal is receiving huge NIL deals.

Social media has done an incredible job of highlighting the exceptions while making them look like the rule.

The reality is much different.

For every headline announcing a six-figure NIL agreement, there are hundreds of athletes entering the transfer portal without receiving the opportunities they expected.

Many athletes transfer believing there is significantly more money available elsewhere, only to discover that the market is much more competitive than they imagined.

The loudest stories online are rarely the most common stories.

Ask Better Questions

Instead of asking:

“What NIL deal will I get?”

Ask:

“What does my scholarship actually cover?”

“How much will my family truly pay out of pocket?”

“What academic support is available?”

“What opportunities exist for my athletic development?”

“What is the graduation rate?”

“What happens if I get injured?”

“What is the team’s culture?”

“What relationships will I build here?”

Those answers will impact your life long after your final race.

My Promise as a Coach

I’ve never believed in recruiting athletes with false promises.

If I tell you something, it’s because I know it’s true.

Could I make recruiting easier by promising everything an athlete wants to hear?

Probably.

But that’s not leadership.

My responsibility is to prepare young people for success—not just recruit them.

Sometimes that means delivering exciting news.

Sometimes it means having difficult conversations.

Either way, you’ll always get honesty from me.

Choose Facts Over Hype

The transfer portal isn’t going away.

NIL isn’t going away.

College athletics will continue to evolve.

But one thing should never change.

Make decisions based on facts—not rumors.

Ask questions.

Read the scholarship agreement.

Talk with financial aid.

Meet with compliance.

Understand exactly what is being offered before making one of the biggest decisions of your athletic career.

The right school isn’t always the one making the loudest promises.

More often than not, it’s the one telling you the truth.

I can only speak from where I stand. Our mission has always been bigger than helping athletes run faster. We are committed to helping student-athletes and families make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and build successful careers both on and off the track.

Because the fastest path to success will always be built on truth, preparation, and integrity.