If you have any questions about the Oregon Summer Sports Law Institute generally or about the curriculum or other academic matters, please contact Institute Director Ryan Gauthier.
FAQs
When will the 2024 Summer Sports Law Institute be held?
We are offering two, three-credit courses in 2024. The first course, “Professional Sports Law” will be held May 28–June 28, 2024. The second course, “Pathway to Practice,” will be held July 8–August 2, 2024. Click the link below to learn more about our summer 2024 courses.
Do I need to be an athlete or have prior sports experience?
No. Just like you don’t need to be a criminal to master criminal law, you don’t need to be an athlete to master sports law. We’ll teach you all you need to know in order to become a first-rate sports lawyer.
Do I need to be a rising 3L?
No. An understanding of the basic 1L curriculum will be sufficient for the material to be covered. If you are a 1L and do not yet have your first-semester grades, simply indicate in your application that you’ll send along the grades when they become available. They should be emailed directly to the Institute Director, Ryan Gauthier.
Do I need to be a JD student?
No. We are also happy to consider students who have completed one year of an appropriate MBA or other master's degree program. However, the coursework was designed with law students in mind.
What if I have OCI interviews or otherwise need to leave the program early?
Because of the wide diversity of dates on which law schools start their fall-semester classes, a few Institute students leave the program early each summer. Students sometimes also have weddings or other family events that require their attendance at various points during the summer.
We understand these conflicts and are committed to working with all students to meet their scheduling needs. We’ll make every effort to accommodate the requirements of OCI interviews, law school start dates, and any other scheduling challenges, including by administering the final exam remotely.
How are the courses graded?
The courses will be graded on a standard grading scale based on points earned on the scored assignments indicated in the course syllabus and for other categories, such as class participation. Check with your home institution administrators for more information on how they handle transferring grades and course credits.
When and where are classes held?
Professional Sports Law is designed as a hybrid learning experience combining asynchronous lectures, synchronous Zoom sessions, and an immersive in-person week (June 24–28, 2024). The course spans the first five weeks of the summer session: May 28-June 28, 2024.
Pathway to Practice in Sports Law is a four-week, in-person course held at the University of Oregon School of Law in Eugene, Oregon. The course is scheduled from July 8–August 2, 2024.
Will I receive credits that I can use at my home university?
You will need to consult your home school’s policies on transfer of credits to determine if your UO Law credits will be accepted toward your degree. However, in our experience, most law schools give credit for ABA-qualified courses offered by another accredited law school.
Students who complete the Summer Sports Institute will be eligible to receive an official University of Oregon transcript showing their completed credits.
How much does it cost?
Tuition is set based on Summer Semester JD credit-hour rates. Please click the link below for 2024 Summer Sports Law Institute per credit tuition resident and non-resident rates.
Does the Summer Sports Institute offer scholarships?
Unfortunately, no.
Can I borrow the money for tuition? Is financial aid available?
Yes. Students who are eligible to borrow money for their school-year courses will also be able to borrow tuition and living expenses for the UO Summer Sports Institute.
For UO students, the process for borrowing is the same as during the regular school year.
For non-UO students, you will need to contact your home institution’s financial aid office. They will prepare a “consortium agreement” between your home school and the University of Oregon that allows for the transfer of funds.
Consortium agreements can be forwarded to Sarah Keiski, Oregon Law’s Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.
Is on-campus housing available?
Yes. We highly recommend students who are taking the Professional Sports Law course stay in on-campus housing during their week in Eugene, as the Olympic Trials severely limit other affordable housing options in Eugene during that time. Of course, you are always welcome to explore off-campus housing, and we are happy to provide recommendations. To view Summer 2024 on-campus housing options and rates, click on the link below. For questions about summer housing options, please reach out to Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Sarah Keiski.
What do I need to bring?
A laptop, clothes, and a pair of sneakers is all you’ll need. Business cards are a plus, given the many networking opportunities that we provide. Also, depending on your housing plans, you may need to bring bed linens and a shower curtain.
Do I need a car to get around Eugene?
No. All you need to live, study, and enjoy yourself is located within a few blocks of our recommended housing options.
Biking is also a safe, easy, and convenient way to get around town, and Eugene boasts an affordable bike share program with pickup/drop-off locations throughout the city. Eugene was recently ranked fifth among bike-friendly cities in the United States. It also has a first-rate public transit system that provides easy access to the entire region.
Will I be able to use the gym?
By all means, please do. The state-of-the-art Student Recreation Center is located one block from the Knight Law Center, along with tennis courts and turf soccer fields. Students will have access to the Rec Center as part of their basic tuition and fees. (https://uorec.uoregon.edu/)
What is there to do in Eugene when I’m not in class or participating in an Institute event?
More than you can imagine! From outdoor recreation and the arts to social attractions and shopping, Eugene and its surrounding areas are filled with opportunities for fun, adventure, and relaxation.
Unwind with classmates and share the day’s experiences at any of Eugene’s nearby restaurants, bars, and pubs. Oregon has become famous for its craft-brew scene, and our wine industry is red hot.
Check out the unique crafts, delicious food, and live music at the Eugene Saturday Market. Try your hand at disc golf, or explore some of Eugene’s 250+ miles of running, biking, and hiking trails.
Or plan a day trip to any of the fantastic Oregon attractions within easy driving distance. The spectacular Oregon coast, with its towering cliffs and sand dunes, is only an hour’s drive to the west.