In a time of unprecedented change in college sports, Santa Clara University Athletics came together on Friday, Oct. 9, to address how the program plans to address the many shifts in today’s world of college athletics.
The panel took place during the Grand Reunion weekend at the University, attracting alumni, students and community members to hear from Athletic Director Heather Owen, men’s basketball head coach Herb Sendek and women’s basketball head coach Loree Payne. The three speakers primarily addressed NIL—Name, Image and Likeness—deals, revenue sharing, conference realignments and the transfer portal, while reinforcing the importance of preserving the program’s core values.
The overall business model in college sports has shifted drastically after recent legal actions, including the 2025 House v. NCAA settlement, which essentially created direct school-to-athlete revenue sharing, eliminating scholarship caps for schools and replacing them with roster limits instead.
To be in Division I athletics requires adaptation. “We can’t stick our heads in the sand. We must ride through the turbulence together,” said Owen.
The University is currently navigating legal challenges of its own, as eligibility lawsuits are currently in order for two student-athletes. Women’s basketball transfer Sophie Glancey and men’s basketball forward Elijah Mahi are both seeking fifth-year eligibility waivers following injury stints. “We’ve all become armchair lawyers through this process,” Owen said.
For head basketball coaches Sendek and Payne, NIL rules and transfer portal dynamics have certainly changed recruiting and roster management strategies. However, an emphasis on long-term success, retention rates and maintaining team culture has stayed the same for both programs.
“We are trying to create a transformational experience in a transactional world,” Payne said, entering her second season at Santa Clara after a record-breaking debut year with the Broncos. Several players have chosen to stay at Santa Clara to complete a master’s degree—a testament to the University’s academic draw as well.
Coach Sendek is entering his ninth season as the head coach for the men’s basketball team, after a 26-win campaign and an NCAA Tournament appearance. When asked how his coaching philosophy has evolved, Sendek replied, “I can’t begin to express how much I’ve changed. One of the foundational changes is a conscious effort to include joy.”
Despite NIL influences and incentives being higher than ever, the team’s focus remains on the game. “Our guys are working harder than ever,” said Sendek.
With many uncertainties in today’s world of college sports, Santa Clara Athletics has entered the 2026-27 year with momentum, coming off a WCC Commissioner’s Cup championship and postseason runs across multiple programs. As both basketball teams continue to prepare for their upcoming seasons, Sendek and Payne left the audience with a call to action: engage with the teams, show up to games and bring a competitive spirit to Leavey Center.