University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn NIL Update from David Benedict
2/10/2023 9:00:00 AM | General
Dear UConn Nation:
UConn Athletics has always been synonymous with excellence. Whether it's our combined 15 men's and women's basketball NCAA Championships, or the current resurgence of our UConn football program, or the 67% of our student-athletes who earned 3.0-or-better grade point average in the Fall 2022 semester, our Huskies are winners and we have great pride in their achievements.
Competing at the highest level requires a team effort, and we are fortunate that so many supporters have recognized the impact their generosity has upon our achievements. In December, I communicated with you about "name, image and likeness," better known as NIL, and conveyed how UConn is aggressively participating in this space. I've had many conversations with supporters and fans about NIL, and shared that, just as we must do on the fields of competition, we have to compete in the NIL arena if we want to continue to be successful.
All of us want to provide our current student-athletes with a magnificent college experience, filled with robust avenues of opportunity. NIL has become an important part of the total experience, and we are building a strong track record of providing our Huskies with various ways to enhance their brand. Recruits, along with their families, are very focused on NIL activities at the colleges they are considering, so the constant efforts to attract the most outstanding student-athletes to Storrs now involve more than academic and athletic opportunities. NIL is and must continue to be a priority for us.
How can you help? I strongly encourage you to make a contribution to the collective called Bleeding Blue For Good (BBFG). The term "collective" has become quite popular within the NIL landscape. In short, it means a group of supporters who pool their resources to offer opportunities for student-athletes to earn money in exchange for performing services. BBFG helps our Huskies by not only identifying opportunities but also managing and coordinating the associated events, such as youth clinics and mentorship programs at local schools.
"The Bleeding Blue For Good collective has helped myself and many of my teammates get further connected with the downtown Hartford community," says men's basketball freshman center Donovan Clingan. "We were able to put together an event for kids who otherwise would not have that opportunity, and also got the chance to grow in the process. None of this would have been possible without the resources that Bleeding Blue For Good provides for us. We are looking forward to more opportunities like this in the future to touch communities in need within our state."
Women's basketball sophomore forward Amari DeBerry shares similar warm feelings about BBFG's efforts.
"UConn has been extremely supportive of student-athletes pursuing NIL opportunities," says DeBerry. "We have been provided with resources to help promote ourselves and educate ourselves on building our personal brand. The opportunity to work with Bleeding Blue For Good was really special. It's always great to have an impact on our local communities and the entire team had a lot of fun at the youth basketball clinic."
I am grateful to the many individuals who have recognized the effect of NIL and supported BBFG. But many more are needed.
Please visit BleedingBlueForGood.org and can check out the great things this group of supporters is doing for our UConn student-athletes. For your convenience, you can also make a donation on the site. This collective is the #1 best way that you can make an impact on student-athlete NIL opportunities. And, because BBFG is a non-profit organization, there may be tax benefits associated with your participation.
Are there other ways to help? If you own a small business or are a leader in a company, consider utilizing a UConn student-athlete as part of your marketing mix. We all understand that the UConn brand is a powerful and attractive force in our market. Whether you're seeking brand growth, product awareness or social media presence, teaming up with a UConn student-athlete can be a win-win. If you're interested, please contact Jason Butikofer, our Chief Operating Officer, at jason.butikofer@uconn.edu. Jason is our department point of contact for NIL and can guide you on connecting with a student-athlete to help your business grow.
Lastly, I strongly encourage you to join us for an upcoming NIL education session in the coming weeks, where you can learn more about NIL, our collective, and the landscape in college athletics. We are offering two informational sessions prior to upcoming basketball games from which you can choose:
Monday 2/27 – prior to women's basketball vs. Xavier in Gampel Pavilion
5:30 to 6:30 NIL session; 7:00 Tip-off
Click HERE to register
Wednesday 3/1 – prior to men's basketball vs. DePaul at XL Center
5:30 to 6:30 NIL session; 7:00 Tip-off
Click HERE to register
If you don't have basketball tickets and wish to also attend the game on the day of the NIL event, there is a link within the RSVP to purchase tickets.
NIL is here to stay, so we need to embrace it and continually find ways to maximize opportunities for the young men and women who wear the blue and white.
With your ongoing participation and commitment to our student-athletes, we will continue to be champions in everything we do.
Thank you for your support of UConn Athletics. Go Huskies!
David Benedict
Director of Athletics
