Meet one of UMBC's standout alums, Lola Negrete, whose journey from high school star to Division I competitor was defined by talent, work ethic, and leadership. Before joining the Retrievers in 2022, she made her mark at Jacksonville University, playing in 41 matches over three seasons and scoring two goals and logging six assists. Her soccer roots trace back to Trabuco Hills High School in California, where she was a four-year starter, led her team in both goals and assists as a senior, and earned All-League honors, all while excelling academically as an AP Scholar with Distinction and Presidential Honor Roll member. In her UMBC debut in 2022, she started every game of the season, made an immediate impact on both ends of the field, and celebrated milestones like her first goal in a 2-1 win over Wagner. In 2023, she started all 18 contests and led the squad with six assists. We recently sat down with Lola for a Q&A to discuss her post-UMBC career.
 
Please describe your UMBC experience both on and off the field.
 
I loved my experience at UMBC! Sports brought me there, but the people and community made leaving so bittersweet. On the field, I was fortunate to serve as captain of the Women's Soccer team, which helped me grow as a leader, listen to and value different voices, and solve problems. Off the field, I served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), which worked directly with the athletics department to meet student-athletes' needs. In the classroom, I learned from brilliant professors with public-sector experience, applied for internships in federal government and the non-profit sector, and wrote a policy paper on administrative gaps in collegiate sports. I also really enjoyed exploring the greater Baltimore area, as there is no shortage of good food, culture, or historical sites! 
 
How did you develop your interest in becoming a lawyer and advocating for prison reform, victims, and civil rights? 
 
I always knew I wanted to be an advocate. However, my coursework at UMBC and George Mason strengthened my interest in mass incarceration, conditions of confinement, victim advocacy, and civil rights. Several courses in my master's curriculum at UMBC, such as Race, Segregation, and Inequality and Politics of Crime and Punishment, gave me a nuanced view of how federal, state, and local policies have impacted marginalized groups throughout history. Additionally, my pre-law school internship at the National Center for Victims of Crime really showed me how crime victims are sometimes overlooked within the criminal justice system. In law school, I have continued to explore these issues through courses in civil rights law and human trafficking law. Through those courses, I have come to recognize that many victims do not fit society's perception of the "ideal" victim. Some may struggle with substance use disorders, have prior criminal convictions, or possess characteristics that others may judge negatively. Yet those factors do not diminish the harm the victims have suffered or lessen the importance of pursuing justice on their behalf. If anything, they underscore the need for a victim-centered approach to advocacy and prosecution that recognizes the dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of circumstances. 
 
What advice would you give younger students who are interested in following your career path? 
 
I would tell younger students that there is no single path to law school or a legal career, and that is completely okay. I always knew I wanted to become an attorney, but I didn't expect to apply to law school during the Fall 2024 cycle. My original plan was to wait a year after completing my master's degree. However, in late December, I decided to take a chance and apply! Because I applied so late in the application cycle, I ended up at George Mason somewhat unexpectedly. Looking back, that experience taught me one of the most important lessons I can share: make the most of every opportunity, even when it isn't part of your original plan. Although my application choices may have looked different had I applied earlier, I have no regrets! At George Mason, I have built meaningful friendships and professional connections, learned from outstanding professors, become incredibly involved on campus, and gained valuable experience through legal internships. So my advice is to make the most of your circumstances! 
 
How did you gain your current internship with the NCAA?
 
I applied to the NCAA's Office of Government Relations twice, once in summer 2025 and again this past summer. Both times, I found the opportunity through George Mason's job portal, where many law students find internships and post-graduate positions. The first time I applied, I advanced through the screening and callback interview stages but ultimately did not receive an offer. At the time, I was disappointed especially because I was very interested in the work. Looking back, however, I can absolutely say that the rejection last year was for the best. The current legislative, legal, and regulatory landscape surrounding collegiate athletics has evolved significantly over the past year. The Protect College Sports Act and the growth of sports gambling legislation across the states has made this semester a very dynamic time to be working in sports. As a result, I have been able to contribute to projects and outreach efforts that are incredibly timely. 
 
What are the big projects you have been working on with the NCAA?
 
One of the biggest projects I've worked on this semester is garnering support for the Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) in the Senate and House of Representatives. The Senate's recent vote on the PCSA was such a huge step, but the NCAA's work is not done until the House passes the PCSA. Accordingly, I am currently working on outreach to athletics directors, conference commissioners, and student-athletes to write to their representatives. I am also involved with assessing state laws regarding proposition bets with sports gambling, and most recently looked into Indiana's Gaming Commission decision to deny the NCAA's request to ban pre-game proposition bets. Finally, one of my ongoing projects is a Daily Congressional Twitter Report where I monitor social media posts from members of Congress that discuss current happenings in collegiate, professional, and youth sports or legislation related to sports. 
 
What has your experience been like as a law student at George Mason?
 
I have really enjoyed my experience at George Mason. Like UMBC, George Mason really prides itself on its small class sizes, which allow students to know their professor one-on-one. Many professors are also adjuncts who actively practice law and incorporate their practical experiences into the classroom curriculum. Working with adjunct professors provides an incredible opportunity to ask questions about their work, make incredible connections, and seek internship opportunities. Additionally, I have valued membership in student organizations because I can meet other law students across grade levels with similar interests, work with practitioners in the legal field, and host events to inform other law students about a particular topic area. For example, I am currently Co-President of George Mason Law's Chapter of If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice. This semester alone, we have hosted events on the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, the current legal landscape of gender affirming care, and a Pack-N-Snack event where students wrote letters and packed goodie bags for women and children living at a local domestic violence shelter. I am also involved in the Trial Advocacy Association, which is an organization that builds trial advocacy skills and sponsors law students to compete in trial competitions across the country. I even competed in one last year! Finally, I have been on the Executive Board for the American Constitution Society for all three years and have appreciated learning from different speakers on current legal issues. Overall, I have valued my time at George Mason for the incredible adjunct professors and the community I have been able to build. 
 
Describe your work as executive editor of George Mason's Civil Rights Law Journal. 
 
Serving as Executive Editor of the Civil Rights Law Journal has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my law school experience. Law journals are entirely student-run, meaning that law students manage the acquisition, editing, and production of each issue from start to finish. As Executive Editor, I am responsible for all penultimate edits "above the line" (substantive text) and "below the line" (footnotes) to ensure the structure and analysis are sound and that all citations comply with The Bluebook. Beyond editing, I help manage recruitment of Candidate Members by evaluating their "Write-On" materials, the primary method at George Mason for law students to join a journal. While many law schools have general legal journals such as Law Review, the Civil Rights Law Journal focuses exclusively on civil rights issues. Accordingly, we publish scholarship that addresses some of the most important and evolving legal questions facing society. The journal's focus not only makes the editing process engaging but also allows the Civil Rights Law Journal to contribute to ongoing conversations about equality, equity, and justice.