Ohio State to Launch an NIL Inclusion Series
3/5/2024 8:44:00 AM | General
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio State University Department of Athletics is partnering with Advance NIL to launch a three-session NIL Inclusion series that is focused on providing name, image, and likeness education opportunities regarding student-athletes of various backgrounds and experiences.
As one of the pioneering schools in providing diversity-centered NIL education, the goal of the program is to help student-athletes leverage their diverse identities to capitalize on NIL opportunities. The initiative will provide education centered around NIL as equal opportunity for all sports, races, religions, and genders.
“I am excited to expand my horizon on all the information about NIL and learn more about how it will improve my college experience in all aspects!" -- Chase Davenport-Mills, a member of the men’s gymnastics team.
The program will include three sessions in which student-athletes will be engaging with specific life skills and career readiness lessons through their personal NIL.
OSUNIL collaborated with student-athlete organizations to determine the topics for each session. Focus groups from the black and brown student-athlete organizations RAS and SHEROS, the women student-athlete organization VIS, and the LGBTQIA+ organization Buckeye Spectrum, were vital in crafting the NIL Inclusion Series.
“I am excited for the opportunity to have Buckeye Spectrum, a registered student-organization for LGBTQ+ Student-Athletes and allies, partner with OSUNIL. I am grateful to be a part of an athletic department that takes time to check in with student-athletes and create programming that caters to their needs. Buckeye Spectrum was created as a space where student-athletes could connect around their shared experiences. I am proud that we are now able to expand this to include other areas where queer identities are under-represented. This collaboration is an amazing way to celebrate the intersection of different identities and NIL spaces.” – Victoria Carlson, a member of the synchronized swimming team.
The inaugural session was hosted on February 28, and subsequent sessions are scheduled for later this spring in March and April.
