Learning Beyond the Pitch: Erin Connolly Attends NCAA Legacy Lab
Abby Madonia
4/14/2026
MADISON, Wis. – For Wisconsin women’s soccer student-athlete Erin Connolly, the end of February brought an opportunity few Division I athletes receive. Connolly traveled to NCAA headquarters to participate in the inaugural NCAA Legacy Lab, a selective program designed to help student-athletes develop skills in name, image and likeness (NIL), entrepreneurship and leadership.
Open to Division I sophomores and juniors across the country, the NCAA Legacy Lab brings together a small group of student-athletes for an immersive experience focused on navigating the evolving landscape of NIL while learning how to build personal brands and create positive impact in their communities.
For Connolly, the experience was both educational and inspiring.
“I had an amazing experience at NCAA Headquarters with a group of like-minded D1 athletes,” Connolly said. “I not only learned so much about NIL, entrepreneurship, and leadership, but made the most amazing connections. I am so grateful for the opportunity and cannot wait to take all the things I learned and bring it back to Wisconsin.”
I am so grateful for the opportunity and cannot wait to take all the things I learned and bring it back to Wisconsin.Erin Connolly
Connolly’s selection reflects the leadership she has already shown as a Badger. According to Wisconsin Director of Student-Athlete Development Adam Davies, she stood out immediately as a strong candidate for the program.
“The NCAA Legacy Lab is a prestigious, first-of-its-kind program that brings together a select group of Division I student-athletes for a three-day immersive experience focused on entrepreneurship, NIL and community engagement,” Davies said. “Erin was an easy choice for nomination because she has consistently leveraged her platform as a student-athlete to positively impact the communities around her.”
While NIL opportunities continue to reshape college athletics, programs like the Legacy Lab aim to help student-athletes approach those opportunities with purpose and preparation. Through workshops, discussions and networking opportunities, participants gain tools to develop business ideas, build partnerships and think strategically about their future both during and after their athletic careers.
Erin was an easy choice for nomination because she has consistently leveraged her platform as a student-athlete to positively impact the communities around her.Adam Davies
For Connolly, the program was about more than just learning the business side of college athletics. It was also an opportunity to connect with athletes from across the country who share similar ambitions and experiences.
Now back on campus in Madison, Connolly hopes to apply what she learned to her role as a Badger and continue building opportunities that extend beyond the soccer field.
Davies believes the impact of the experience will continue long after the three-day program.
“I am excited to see how she builds on this experience, applies what she learned at the NCAA headquarters and continues to make a meaningful impact at Wisconsin,” Davies said.
As Connolly returns to training with Wisconsin women’s soccer, she does so with a new set of skills and connections—ready to turn the lessons from the NCAA Legacy Lab into opportunities for herself, her teammates and the broader Badger community.
