Honors Forum to Focus on Razorbacks and the Nation

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Next fall, honors students will get an insider's perspective on intercollegiate athletics in an Honors College Forum, Razorbacks and the Nation, to be led by Scott Varady, executive director and general counsel of the Razorback Foundation and an honors alumnus of the U of A.

"Intercollegiate athletics is in a period of dynamic change," Varady said. "With the opportunity for student-athletes to now capitalize on their name, image and likeness, we know that digital media will play an even more critical role in fostering individual and institutional brands. The restructuring of the NCAA, conference realignment, the determination of a future College Football Playoff format and the negotiation of future TV and media rights contracts are just a few of the emerging issues that will continue to dramatically alter the collegiate athletics landscape moving forward. I look forward to discussing all of these topics and other fundamental aspects of intercollegiate athletics and the student-athlete experience."

The class will begin with an overview of today's college sports model, including the effects, both intended and unintended, of recent changes in the law that allow NCAA athletes to profit from a wide variety of business ventures without losing their eligibility. Throughout the semester, students will get to hear from professionals at the U of A and beyond who work in a variety of areas in college athletics, from external relations to marketing to athletic conference administration. Students will also have an opportunity to go behind the scenes of Razorback athletics, getting a close look at both facilities and general operations. 

"This forum is a spectacular opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at college athletics during a time of great change," said Noah Pittman, associate dean of enrollment and avid sports fan, who will assist Varady with the course. 

The 75-minute, one-credit-hour Honors College Forums bring star faculty and top administrators together with honors students on a weekly basis to discuss timely topics. 

Varady joined the Razorback Foundation as executive director and general counsel in December 2015 after serving more than 19 years with the U of A's Office of the General Counsel. In his previous role, Varady provided legal advice and representation to the U of A, including the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. He also consulted with the Razorback Foundation's outside legal counsel on various matters.

Prior to joining the university, Varady worked as an associate at Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard PLLC in Little Rock and with the firm of Swidler & Berlin, Chartered, in Washington, D.C. He also served as a staff member for the late Sen. Dale L. Bumpers and former Rep. Bill Alexander. Varady received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1993, graduating magna cum laude. He received a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1988, where he also earned the Dean's Award for Academic Excellence.

A Little Rock native, Varady earned a B.A. with honors in political science from the U of A in 1985. Varady is admitted to practice in Arkansas, the District of Columbia, the Eastern and Western Districts of Arkansas, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Varady and his wife, Melissa, have two children: Nathan, an orthopaedic surgery resident at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, and Emily, a U of A Honors College graduate who majored in political science and works in Washington, D.C.