As a 2L, Dylan Harriger, J.D. Candidate ’22, co-founded the Student Sports Law Network with fellow law students from Florida State, Loyola, and the University of Florida. Now, as a 3L, Harriger is at it again. This time, he’s about to launch the inaugural issue of the UNH Sports Law Review.
For the last two years, Harriger has worked diligently with Professor Michael McCann, director of the Sports & Entertainment Law Institute, and others to plan how to get the publication off the ground. He has sought guidance from the UNH Franklin Pierce administration, faculty, and staff, including the marketing team, IT department, librarians, and Business Office. Harriger has received significant assistance from Professor of Legal Research and Intellectual Property Librarian Jon Cavicchi and Professor and Law Library Director Susan Zago.
“When starting something of this magnitude, you need to inform everyone of your plans,” says Harriger, who earned a B.S. in sports management from Houston Baptist in 2017, and an M.S. in the same field from Texas A&M University in 2019. “Professor McCann and I met with these [folks] to convey our vision and explain the timeline and how things would operate. Everyone was incredibly supportive and helpful.”
Bringing to life Harriger’s idea for the Sports Law Review came toward the end of his first year at UNH Franklin Pierce, when he proposed the idea to Professor McCann. The process has required extensive research, diligence, and patience. Harriger led an informal student survey to ensure that the student body had enough interest to support adding a third law review to join two well established publications in The University of New Hampshire Law Review and IDEA®: The Law Review of the Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property. Harriger was charged with drafting bylaws for the fledgling Sports Law Review and with creating a proposal that included research, data, timelines, and a summary of the entire process.
“The Sports Law Review is important for a few reasons,” Harriger explains. “Participating in law review is a prestigious career builder. It allows students to develop research and writing skills. It also allows them to work directly with top legal scholars and build meaningful connections. The Sports Law Review will enable our students to build planning, organization, teamwork, and communication skills.”
The journal’s first issue is scheduled to publish in April. It will include “any and all issues in the sports industry,” particularly those issues that intersect with the law. Harriger says the plan is to pick a theme for each issue. The goal for the first installment of the Sports Law Review — and an accompanying April symposium — is to highlight current issues in collegiate athletics. The symposium (via Zoom or in person, pending COVID-19’s status) will give the journal’s authors an opportunity to discuss their articles and the legal issues encountered in the course of their research.
While Harriger considers the review a proud personal accomplishment, he also sees it as a way of giving back to an institution that has supported his personal and professional development over the last three years.
“The Sports Law Review is something I feel can continue to grow for our school,” Harriger says, “and I am thrilled to provide future students with the opportunity to be a part of it. Long term, I hope it provides opportunities for future law students to follow their passion of working in sports law.
To celebrate the launch of UNH Sports Law Review, there will be a kickoff party on Monday, Feb. 21 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the Rich Room (204). Hear from Professor Mike McCann, the founders, and learn more about our newest journal. We hope you can join us!
