On January 7, 2025, McNeese State University hosted its inaugural “Trailblaze Your Brand: NIL and Life Skills Summit” at the Legacy Center, marking a significant milestone in student-athlete development. This event positioned McNeese as a leader in the Southland Conference, being the first institution in the conference and only the second in Louisiana, behind LSU, to organize such an event.
The summit was a comprehensive program designed to equip student-athletes with essential skills for navigating the evolving landscape of NIL opportunities. The agenda included workshops on personal branding, financial literacy, time management, and career exploration, ensuring that McNeese athletes are well-prepared for opportunities beyond sports.
Business Connection Fair & Financial Literacy Workshop
A highlight of the event was the Business Connection Fair, which provided a unique opportunity for student-athletes to network directly with nearly 30 local businesses offering NIL deals, internships, and career paths. Additionally, Northwestern Mutual led a hands-on financial literacy workshop, with over 25 employees guiding student-athletes through the “Game of Life.” Participants were assigned occupations and incomes, which challenged them to strategically manage expenses such as mortgages, car payments, bills, groceries, and leisure activities.
Bridging the NIL Awareness Gap with Teamworks Influencer
Teamworks’ Kelsi Schaer led an NIL session, offering a deep dive into how athletes can leverage the Influencer technology to enhance their personal brand, track NIL deals, and maximize marketability.
Her insightful presentation bridged the awareness gap, equipping student-athletes with a clear understanding of how to effectively use Teamworks Influencer to build their brand and monetize their NIL opportunities. Attendees walked away with renewed confidence in utilizing the platform, ensuring they can fully capitalize on their digital presence and partnerships.
Powerful Panel Discussion on NIL Best Practices
The summit also featured a panel discussion moderated by volleyball player Bailey Tillman. The panel included student-athletes actively engaged in NIL deals—Rylee Ester (softball), Jamal Franklin (football), Paris Guillory (women’s basketball), and Luciana Chuong (beach volleyball)—along with representatives from local businesses like Smalls Sliders, Blazin’ Hot Chicken, and Edible Arrangements. The session provided practical insights, best practices, and key takeaways for both athletes and businesses to navigate NIL deals successfully.
McNeese’s Commitment to Athlete Development
Reflecting on the event, Assistant Athletic Director for NIL & Student-Athlete Development, Keifer Ackley, stated:
“This summit reflects the athletic department’s commitment to supporting our student-athletes in every aspect of their McNeese journey. We are dedicated to preparing them not only to succeed in sports but also to thrive academically, professionally, and personally.”
The success of the Trailblaze Your Brand: NIL and Life Skills Summit underscores McNeese’s proactive approach to student-athlete empowerment. With the integration of business connections, financial literacy training, NIL strategy discussions, and cutting-edge technology insights from Teamworks Influencer, McNeese is setting the standard for holistic athlete development in the collegiate NIL era.
Want to learn more about how Teamworks Influencer can help student-athletes maximize their brand and NIL opportunities? Reach out to us today to explore the platform and its impact!