NIL CONSULTING

Time is money! We can help you develop a department or campus-wide NIL strategy FASTER with less effort!

YOUR CAMPUS-WIDE NIL STRATEGY STARTS HERE!

Our research suggests college athletic departments cannot successfully navigate the complex transition into the NIL ecosystem without the full support and collaboration of every department on campus.

Athlete Career Training (ACT) offers expert consulting to help colleges and universities develop comprehensive, campus-wide Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) strategies. Our approach includes engaging key departments—such as:

  • President/Provost
  • Student Affairs Office
  • Communications/Marketing Department
  • Alumni, Annual Giving, Development
  • Career Center
  • Athletic Department

…to foster collaboration and alignment. Even college recruiters could be included as they hold the key to hire student-athletes who are gaining business experience by starting their own sports branding and marketing businesses!

Our NIL expertise comes from conversations with hundreds of industry stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, athletic directors, and sponsors. We've turned this knowledge into articles, reports, and webinars addressing key NIL challenges and solutions.

Our comprehensive consulting approach!

  1. Needs Assessment: We conduct a thorough evaluation of your institution’s current NIL initiatives, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. This process helps tailor our strategies to align with your specific goals and challenges.
  2. Strategy Development: Based on the needs assessment, we collaborate with your team to create a comprehensive NIL strategy that includes actionable goals, timelines, and metrics for success. This strategy will guide all departments in their NIL efforts.
  3. Training and Workshops: We provide customized training sessions and workshops for staff, coaches, and student-athletes. These sessions cover essential topics such as NIL compliance, personal branding, and effective marketing techniques to empower your community.
  4. Resource Creation: We help develop essential resources, such as guidelines, toolkits, and templates, that your departments can use to implement and manage NIL initiatives effectively. These materials ensure consistency and clarity across all efforts.
  5. Ongoing Support and Evaluation: Our consulting services include ongoing support to assess the effectiveness of your NIL strategies. We will conduct regular check-ins, gather feedback, and make adjustments as needed to ensure your programs evolve and remain impactful.

Catch up on our thought provoking NIL articles by CLICKING HERE!

CLICK HERE to ask for our research reports.

Our Consultants:

With decades of experience, our thought leaders provide actionable insights drawn from deep industry involvement, ensuring success for institutions navigating NIL challenges.

01

Don Philabaum, CEO

Don Philabaum, CEO of Athlete Career Training, a leading expert in career development and higher education. Don is the author of influential books such as Change IT: Create a Career-Centered College Culture and The Unemployed Grad: And What Parents Can Do About It. His extensive work includes creating and managing four higher education businesses, two of which were sold to billion-dollar venture funds. Renowned for his insights into the NIL industry, Don has also developed a popular webinar series that drew 400 higher education professionals and authored the impactful report Create a Campus-Wide NIL Strategy. Through his firm, Athlete Career Training, Don provides specialized NIL bootcamps and career development programming for the 98 percent of student-athletes who will not be drafted, ensuring they are well-prepared for their professional futures.

02

Stuart Mease, Career Services Consultant

Stuart Mease brings over 20 years of expertise in higher education, recruiting, sports, workforce development, and Christian-based organizations, with a proven track record in relationship building, public speaking, coaching, and data insights. As a former Executive Director of Employer Relations at Wake Forest University, Executive Director of Student Advancement and Career Services at Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business, and Director of North Carolina Operations at ROCS Grad Staffing, Stuart has successfully served students, alumni, recruiters, and employers in their talent searches. His unique experience on both sides of the desk gives him a deep understanding of the challenges career centers face, while remaining sensitive to the needs of employers. Stuart’s ability to connect people and create impactful strategies makes him an invaluable leader in navigating the evolving career development landscape, particularly in the context of supporting student-athletes in the NIL era.

03

Dave Hail, Alumni Relations Consultant

Dave Hail's remarkable career has been defined by visionary leadership and a deep commitment to fostering meaningful alumni relationships. As Executive Director at the University of Oklahoma Foundation, his innovative approach to alumni relations and donor engagement strategies strengthened the university’s vibrant community spirit. His extensive expertise in event planning and management empowered teams to create memorable experiences, further solidifying alumni connections. Dave’s dedication to organizational excellence enhanced alumni participation and engagement, with his focus on customer service and operational efficiency playing a key role. Now serving as a Strategic Advisor at Track15, Dave continues to shape and inspire the future with the same passion that has marked his distinguished career.

04

Chima Okoli Esq.

Chima Okoli, a distinguished DC-barred attorney with over seven years of experience in legal recruiting. As a former Honorable Mention All-Big 10 Conference student-athlete and a two-time All-Big 10 Academic First-Team honoree, Chima brings a unique blend of athletic and academic excellence to his work. His consulting company has partnered with several major athletic programs nationwide, demonstrating his expertise and influence in the field. Additionally, Chima has taught sports law at prestigious institutions including Wake Forest, Penn State, Boston College, and Notre Dame. A passionate Liverpool FC fan, he currently serves as a Director at Major Lindsey & Africa, where he excels in connecting top talent with exceptional opportunities in the legal industry.