HARTFORD, Conn. – Trinity College Men's Swimming and Diving student-athlete JP Soukoulis '28 was one of 47 student-athletes selected from NCAA Division I, II and III institutions to attend the 2026 NCAA Legacy Lab, held Sept. 10-13 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Student-athletes selected for the program participated in a four-day educational experience designed to empower Division I, II and III sophomore and junior student-athletes to learn more about entrepreneurship while continuing to compete. Throughout the multi-day program, participants turned their skills, stories and ideas into sustainable ventures while choosing one of three learning tracks.

The Brand in Motion track focused on effectively and responsibly monetizing their name, image and likeness (NIL), while Blueprint to Breakthrough helped student-athletes grow their knowledge and learn ways to successfully start, operate and grow a business. The Built to Serve track focused on designing ventures that prioritize social responsibility alongside profitability.
The Legacy Lab was led and directed by Ashley Jocelyn, Associate Director of Leadership Development Programs and Initiatives at the NCAA. Professional guests and facilitators included Aaron Dinin, a professor at Duke University, and Ivory Tebb, CEO of Ivory Tebb Consults.

Student-athletes are nominated by their coach, director of operations, student-athlete development professional, academic advisor, senior woman administrator or compliance/athletics administrator listed in the NCAA Directory.

"We are so proud that JP Soukoulis was the first student-athlete from Trinity College to be selected for this competitive program, which had representation spanning across DI, DII, and DIII institutions.  When I requested suggestions for nominees, Coach Hagy immediately responded with several names from her team. Ultimately, JP's selection was a result of what must have been a notable application to the selection committee.  Hearing the feedback he provided after the event, it was clear he was immersed in learning and engaging.  He returned to campus from a meaningful experience that he will likely carry with him well beyond his remaining time at Trinity, and this is always our goal in supporting and developing our students through their opportunities via participation in sport," said Kristen Noone, Trinity College's Deputy Athletic Director, Senior Woman Administrator and Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Director (ADID).
Following the forum, Soukoulis reflected on his experience and the impact the program had on his personal and professional development.

Athlete Reflection (Q&A Format)

1. What interested you most about the opportunity to attend the NCAA Legacy Lab?
What interested me the most in the NCAA Legacy Lab was the opportunity to connect and collaborate with student athletes from across the country. I was interested in being able to learn surrounded by like-minded athletes. Being in a room full of people who understand the demands of balancing a sport with school made it easier to open up, and share ideas. I also saw it as a chance to step outside of my normal routine and learn about entrepreneurship, which is something I had always been curious about but never had a space to really explore.
 
2. You had the opportunity to interact with student athletes from across the NCAA. What was it like connecting and exchanging ideas with athletes from different schools and sports?
It was very interesting to hear the different perspectives of the other student athletes that attended the event. It was interesting to learn about other students' experiences at their university and sports. Everyone came to this event with different majors and backgrounds, which allowed me to hear a different side to problems and help me think about these issues in a different way. Even though we all played different sports and came from different places, it was easy to relate to one another because we shared the same drive. Those conversations pushed me to think bigger and reminded me how much I can learn just by listening to people who see the world differently than I do.
 
3. Was there a speaker, mentor, or piece of advice that particularly stood out to you?
Something I heard while I was at the event that really stuck with me was the fact that student athletes have access to an elite network if they know how to use it. I was told to learn how to market myself to this network so I can utilize it in the future. That advice changed the way I think about the people around me, because it made me realize that the connections I make now can carry into my career later on. It motivated me to be more intentional about how I present myself and how I build relationships.
 
4. Did you enter the program with a business, brand or venture idea already in mind? If so, how did the Legacy Lab help you develop that idea?
I did not enter the event with a specific business or venture idea in mind, but I did learn about how to start a business along with the legal components that go into it. Even without a set idea, the Legacy Lab gave me a foundation to build on and helped me understand the steps it takes to turn a concept into something real. Now I feel a lot more prepared for the day I do have an idea I want to pursue, because I have a better sense of what actually goes into getting a business off the ground.
 
5. What skills from being a student-athlete do you think translate particularly well to entrepreneurship?
I think the fact that student athletes have an incredible work ethic gives us an advantage in entrepreneurship. On top of that, being an athlete teaches you discipline, time management, and how to handle setbacks without giving up. Those are the same qualities you need to build something of your own, since running a business comes with a lot of challenges that require you to stay focused and keep pushing forward.
 
6. How do you see yourself applying what you learned at the Legacy Lab here at Trinity?
I can see myself applying what I learned regarding networking. Trinity has a very elite network, and I am looking forward to applying what I learned about marketing myself to grow my network within Trinity. I want to be more intentional about the relationships I build with professors, coaches, and other students, because I now understand how valuable those connections can be down the road. My goal is to make the most of the resources Trinity offers instead of letting them go unused.
 
7. Did the experience change or reinforce any of your career goals?
I did not really have a change in career goals, but I was reinforced in the fact that I would like to build my own business at some point in my life. If anything, the experience made that goal feel more realistic and within reach. Seeing what other people were working on and learning about the process behind starting a business gave me more confidence that this is something I can actually achieve.
 
8. After attending the Legacy Lab, what does the word "legacy" mean to you?
After attending the event the word "legacy" to me means building something truly meaningful that will outlive you and continue to make a difference in the future. It is not just about what you accomplish for yourself, but about the impact you have on the people and communities that come after you. To me, leaving a legacy means creating something that lasts and inspires others long after I am gone.
 
"The NCAA Legacy Lab stands out as a unique opportunity for student-athletes to learn how their skills in sport can transition into the workforce. I am excited that JP was able to represent Trinity on a national level and hope that he will apply the skills he learned within our team and in his career moving forward!," said Hannah Hagy, Trinity Men's Swimming Head Coach.