Kutak Rock attorney John Long will be honored by the Marquette University Law School as the recipient of the Charles W. Mentkowski Sports Law Alumnus of the Year Award at the Annual Alumni Awards Reception and Conferral of 2026.

The annual event will take place April 23, 2026 at Eckstein Hall and will celebrate the achievements of distinguished alumni whose professional accomplishments and service reflect the mission and values of the law school community.

John, a 2009 graduate of Marquette Law School, has more than a decade of experience representing universities, coaches and sports organizations in high-profile collegiate and professional sports matters. His practice focuses on NCAA infractions and compliance, Title IX gender equity, sports wagering investigations and Name Image and Likeness (NIL) issues.

John joined Kutak Rock in late 2025 and in January, the firm announced the formation of its College Athletics and Private Capital Focus Group, a multidisciplinary team within the firm’s College Athletics Industry Practice Group, designed to help colleges and universities navigate the rapidly changing landscape of collegiate athletics.

Throughout his career John has served as lead counsel for numerous Division I institutions in NCAA major infractions matters and has advised universities and coaches on complex compliance and eligibility issues including a landmark NCAA infractions appeal on behalf of Georgia Tech. He also has represented other stakeholders involved in collegiate athletics including sports agencies.

Prior to entering private practice, John served as the executive of athletics legal and compliance matters at Southeastern Louisiana University and gained a unique perspective on the regulatory and operational challenges faced by collegiate athletics programs.

The Charles W. Mentkowski Sports Law Alumnus of the Year Award recognizes Marquette law school graduates who have demonstrated significant professional achievement in the field of sports law. Congratulations to John on this prestigious honor.