For more than three decades, Scott Dolson has been part of Indiana University Athletics — from his start as a student manager under Coach Bob Knight to his current role as IU’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. Few leaders in college sports combine that kind of continuity with a clear-eyed view of change. In this conversation, adapted from The Industrious Podcast (episode 59), Scott reflects on his unlikely path, the rapidly shifting world of college athletics, and the revival of a beloved IU tradition: the bison.
Q: You’ve spent your entire career at IU — a rarity in college athletics. How did it all begin?
Scott Dolson: I grew up in Michigan City, Indiana, a huge IU fan from the start. My grandfather
attended IU but couldn’t afford to finish, so my sister and I were the first in our family to graduate from college. There was never really another school I wanted to go to.
Like most kids in Indiana, I dreamed of playing basketball here, but I had what I like to call a talent problem. My best friend, Delray Brooks, was Mr. Basketball that year and ended up committing to Coach Knight. He called and said, “You should come down and be a manager.” I hadn’t thought about that, but I did, and it changed my life. I was a manager all four years, including the 1987 championship season. After graduation, I worked for Coach Knight’s son, Tim, before joining the athletic department’s varsity club. One opportunity led to another, and I just never left. Now, five years into this job, I still feel incredibly lucky every day I walk into Assembly Hall.
Q: That kind of longevity is unusual in this field. How has staying at IU shaped your leadership?
SD: It’s definitely rare. Most people in college athletics move around a lot. But for me, it’s been an advantage. I know the culture, the people, and what makes IU special. At the same time, I make a real effort to look outward — to stay connected with national trends so we’re not operating in a bubble. You can’t lead in 2025 the way you did even 10 years ago.
Q: You’ve seen college sports evolve dramatically. What’s changed the most?
SD: The business has gotten far more complex. Television rights, sponsorships, new student-athlete benefits — the scale of it is enormous. There’s a lot of good that’s come with that, but also real challenges.
Our mantra right now is Never Daunted. It’s about embracing change and adversity with resilience, while staying true to who we are. That balance — between progress and principle — defines what it means to be a Hoosier.
Q: The introduction of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) has reshaped college athletics. How has IU approached it?
SD: The NIL era changed everything. From the start, we focused on understanding the rules, then finding ways to help our student-athletes thrive within them. It quickly became clear that NIL plays a huge role in both recruiting and retention. Like many universities, we’ve built partnerships with independent collectives that create legitimate, market-based NIL opportunities. We’re fortunate to have alumni and volunteers who’ve stepped up in big ways to support that effort.
We see NIL as an opportunity to innovate, not something to fear — but there’s no question it’s created a new kind of arms race. That’s tough for coaches who just want a fair playing field.
Q: How are you helping coaches navigate this changing environment?
SD: Coaching today is much more complicated than it used to be. In the past, every program offered roughly the same package — scholarships, facilities, development, tradition. Now, NIL resources vary dramatically by school, and that’s frustrating.
Our role is to give coaches the tools and support to stay competitive. We’ve built a staff that truly understands NIL, so our coaches can focus on leading their teams while knowing we’ve got the administrative side covered.
Q: And for the student-athletes, how do you help them handle newfound financial opportunities responsibly?
SD: Education is key. Only a small percentage of our athletes are earning major NIL deals, but everyone needs to understand financial basics. We recently launched a partnership with Merchants Bank to provide financial literacy education — budgeting, taxes, saving, all of it. We also talk openly about responsibility, appreciation and giving back. It’s about preparing them not just for NIL, but for life.
Q: What do you see coming next for college sports nationally?
SD: I think we’re heading toward some kind of federal legislation to create consistency. Right now, it’s a patchwork of state laws and court decisions, and that’s not sustainable. The recent House settlement, which allows schools to share up to about $20.5 million in annual revenue with athletes, is a sign of where we’re headed. That’s separate from NIL, but it shows how the model is evolving.
Ultimately, we need clear rules that let student-athletes benefit from their value while preserving competitive balance and the overall health of all sports programs. Without that, smaller programs could really suffer.
Q: You’ve climbed every rung of the IU Athletics ladder. What advice would you give to young professionals starting out?
SD: Be yourself. Early in my career, I thought you had to act a certain way or know certain people to succeed. What I’ve learned is that fundamentals matter most — work hard, treat people right, and do your job with excellence. You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room. Just be authentic, build trust, and lead with integrity. That’s what lasts.
Q: Let’s talk about something that’s brought a lot of excitement to IU fans — the return of the bison mascot. How did that come about?
SD: The bison has deep roots in IU’s history. It’s on the Indiana state seal and was officially approved as our mascot by the IU Student Government back in 1965. There was even a costumed bison on the sidelines for a short while before it disappeared.
We decided to bring it back — not as something new, but as something rediscovered. Last December, our student government re-enacted the original 1965 vote, officially “freeing the
bison” again. It’s such a fitting symbol. When a storm comes, bison charge into it instead of running away. That’s the spirit of IU — facing challenges headon, together.
The new mascot is completely student-led, with five students sharing the role. They even went to mascot camp this summer! It’s a great reminder that college sports should be fun — and that tradition and innovation can coexist beautifully.
Watch or listen to the full interview on the Industrious Podcast. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts, or find us on YouTube.