LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a former Division I volleyball player and sponsor of the College Athlete Economic Freedom Act, issued the following statement after Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker was named the next President of the NCAA:

“Governor Baker has been an extremely effective leader in Massachusetts, having steered our Commonwealth through some of the most difficult moments in recent history. From the Merrimack Valley gas explosions to the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve had the honor of seeing up close the way Governor Baker approaches leadership and the importance of bringing people together, especially in the hardest of times. We owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for his service that has undoubtedly positioned Massachusetts to succeed in the years ahead.”

“The NCAA is at an inflection point where athletes and the millions of fans who root them on have largely lost faith in it as an organization. The Association desperately needs a proven leader who personally understands the unique needs of the nearly 500,000 college athletes it serves and who is prepared to do what’s necessary to right the ship. I commend Governor Baker for taking on this new challenge, and I believe his experience as a college basketball player coupled with his extensive career spanning both the public and private sectors will serve him well in this position.”

“I look forward to working with Governor Baker to help chart a path forward where the NCAA and college athletics as a whole work for the people who matter most – athletes.”