University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville Athletics announces Rocky’s Collective as preferred NIL Collective
01.12.2024 | General, Athletics News
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville Athletics proudly announces Rocky's Collective as the preferred name, image, and likeness (NIL) Collective. This partnership will begin with the men's basketball team, with plans to support all athletic programs at Asheville.
The mission of Rocky's Collective is to create opportunities for athletes that can benefit the whole campus and community through the support of donors, alums, and non-profit organizations. As part of this, athletes can earn compensation for their name, image, and likeness, which will positively affect the University and beyond.
"We are excited to work with Rocky's Collective and give our student-athletes more opportunities for success," said Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone. "In alignment with our vision to Dream Bigger. Achieve More., providing a holistic college experience for our student-athletes is among our top priorities, and this new partnership supports that goal."
Not only does this collective aim to benefit the University through an increase in ticket sales as well as a boost in enrollment rates, but it will also help to strengthen the surrounding community and put the spotlight directly on the athletes and what it means to be a student-athlete at UNC Asheville.
"We're not just investing in the game; we're investing in the future of our student-athletes," said Geoff Shyatt, Co-Founder of Rocky's Collective. "Rocky's Collective stands at the intersection of athletic excellence and personal development, starting with our men's basketball team and expanding to every corner of our athletics department."
Our vision with Rocky's Collective is to create a legacy of support that echoes throughout UNC Asheville's storied halls," added Derek Hoffman, Co-Founder of Rocky's Collective. "The men's basketball team is just the beginning. We see every athlete as a beacon of our community's strength and unity."
Rocky's Collective is hosting an event to benefit the men's basketball team at The Cloud Room at Wedge Brewery on Friday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. and invites all interested individuals and businesses to attend to learn more about the collective and how to support the men's basketball team.
NIL legislation has been enacted since 2021 and has now been put into action here at UNC Asheville, which will bring fans closer than ever with the ability to donate and become genuinely involved in the collegiate careers of student-athletes. By joining Rocky's Collective, alums and fans can gain exclusive member benefits, including autographed apparel, private event access, and more.
To contribute or learn more, visit https://rockyscollective.com/ or follow Rocky's Collective on Instagram, Twitter (𝕏 ), or Facebook to stay updated on upcoming events, partnerships, and press announcements.
