Originally from Fort Collins, CO, Dan Byers ventured to Drake University as an undergrad where he planned to play football. After a career ending shoulder injury in 2008, Byers didn’t lose sight of his passion for sports.
Now a third-year Drake Law student, Byers interned with Ascent Sports and Entertainment located in Boulder, CO this past summer. Ascent Sports is comprised of six NFL Players Association Certified Contract Advisors, each of whom is also a licensed attorney. The organization has represented over 40 first round picks in the NFL draft, Heisman winners, members of the Hall of Fame, and players who have been selected to the Pro Bowl. In addition, Ascent Sports also represents MLB players and both professional and collegiate coaches.
At Ascent, Byers assisted in contract negotiations and collegiate recruiting and also had the opportunity to help file a grievance against a former player with the NFL Players Association. Byers stated that he “learned how to apply (his) legal studies to real world applications” and that the experience was “a great example of how a legal education can be used in traditional and nontraditional legal careers alike.”
Byers continues to work in the sports law field as an NCAA compliance intern with the Iowa State University Athletic Department alongside three other Drake Law students.
In addition to his love of sports, Byers is also passionate about the environment. He completed an internship at Holsinger Law, a Natural Resources Law firm in Denver, Colorado during his 1L summer along with clerking for the Boulder County Court in Boulder, Colorado.
Upon graduation, Byers plans to pursue a career in either sports law or natural resources law, pairing his passions with the law profession.