Athletic Solutions: A game changer for student athletes
Photo Courtesy of Devonaire Willoughby
Jesus Arce, Staff Writer
North Greenville University has taken a giant step forward by partnering with Athletic Solutions, a program that allows athletes to create and sell customized merchandise. This collaboration is a significant game changer for NGU athletes as it is comparable to NIL contracts at larger universities.
Athletic Solutions offers student athletes the opportunity to generate money while balancing their academic and athletic obligations. This initiative is gaining momentum on campus, where more and more athletes are getting involved with this platform.
For RJ Morris, a freshman defensive lineman at NGU, the Athletic Solutions program is an opportunity to generate money while fulfilling his duties on the football team. His family members and those close to him have already had the opportunity to purchase merchandise.
The ability to generate money while playing for the school is a big plus, according to Morris, who, like many athletes, finds it difficult to get a job while studying and playing football.
“It’s hard to get a job with how busy I am, and I feel Athletic Solutions is a good way for all athletes to have some kind of income,” Morris said.
This has generated $61 in revenue so far, demonstrating the long-term potential of the program. Morris stressed that athletes will only receive 25% of each sale they make, as the rest of the proceeds will go to the team’s travel and living expenses fund.
“25% of any sale is a good percentage of profit, plus everything else that comes in goes right back into the program for the rest of the season. It’s a win-win regardless of the percentage,” Morris said.
Will Lowrey, who recently joined NGU as athletic director, played an important role in bringing Athletic Solutions to the university. He already had experience with this program at another institution and saw the opportunity to bring it to benefit the athletes.
Lowrey recognized that being a student athlete at a division two school can present a financial challenge, which is why Athletic Solutions was brought in purely with the intention of helping students.
“Our athletes can create custom products, and whatever they sell, they have the opportunity to get a portion of the profits for their benefit. With very little effort, they get a good return,” Lowrey said.
Lowrey explained that at the level at which NCAA division two is played, working is not an option due to high performance. This further promotes the use of the program, which in only three weeks has already reached $30 thousand in sales.
Mark Erickson, CEO of Athletic Solutions, offered his insight on the partnership with North Greenville University and the benefits it brings to both the athletes and the institution.
Erickson said that any athlete has the opportunity to not only sell their own merchandise but to create a registered online store that offers high-quality products branded and registered with the institution’s seal and athlete information.
“Each store has upwards of 150 or more products from which to choose. Products are shipped on average within 72 hours of receiving the order, which allows the athletes to market their brand without having to invest in areas such as inventory,” Erickson said.
Athletic Solutions also give athletes the ability to leverage their brand through the resources they provide.
“Our marketing department assists athletes by providing advertising content that we customize for each athlete,” Erickson said.
Athletic Solutions also believes that this will be a game changer for the transfer market and team recruiting, as they have a tool that is the opportunity to have an NIL deal.
The partnership between NGU and Athletic Solutions is more than a financial boost for student athletes; it is a strategic initiative that aligns with NGU’s broader goals of building a strong division two athletic program and creating community engagement.
