IU Student Athlete Leadership Group to Host NIL Mixer

IU Athletics Release

Bloomington, Indiana – The Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) within IU’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is spearheading an effort to connect local businesses with IU student-athletes to enable both parties to benefit from the new Name, Image, and Likeness landscape.

SAAC has organized the first Name, Image and Likeness Community Connect Mixer on Monday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. in the Henke Hall of Champions in Memorial Stadium. The event is free for business owners and/or representatives to attend. While no registration is required, likely attendees are encouraged to contact SAAC President Margaret Rogers at rogermar@iu.edu, or Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sport Administration and External Partnerships Rebecca Pany at rpany@indiana.edu.

The objectives of the event are two-fold. The evening’s program will begin with an overview of the NCAA and IU Athletics rules and protocols related to Name, Image and Likeness. Secondly, it will offer a look at the multitude of NIL partnership opportunities now available for businesses to make with IU student-athletes, ranging from in-kind deals, traditional endorsements, and public appearances, among others.

“IU has been at the forefront of supporting its student-athletes’ efforts to maximize their NIL opportunities, and this is the latest example,” said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson. “The educational component of this event is critical so that we ensure that businesses as well as our student-athletes are informed about the Dos and the Don’ts surrounding NIL. I’m excited to see what I believe will be a great response to, and results from, this event. I’m also proud of SAAC President Margaret Rogers and the entire SAAC team for taking the lead in putting this event together.”

"Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities have been so exciting for Hoosier athletes,” Rogers said. “With changes to the NCAA's NIL legislation just last year, I knew that one of SAAC's first initiatives this school year should be to help athletes navigate the NIL space.  

“I believe NIL agreements are especially meaningful when they are used to support local businesses. It quickly became clear to us that SAAC should focus its NIL initiatives on local and small businesses. This event is intended to make it convenient for Bloomington and Indiana based companies and organizations to connect with IU athletes. As Indiana student-athletes, we are all very proud to be part of the Bloomington community. I can't wait to see how the Community Connect mixer, and the NIL agreements that come out of it, strengthen our athletes' ties to the Bloomington community even further!"

Rogers is the president of IU Athletics’ Student Athlete Advisory Committee, which includes one student-leader representative from each of IU’s varsity athletic programs. In addition to organizing this mixer, SAAC works closely with the IU Athletics leadership team throughout the year to enhance the experience and to protect the welfare of IU’s students who compete in intercollegiate athletics.