A Letter From Jeramiah Dickey: Let's Talk About NIL
Innovation and creativity are in our blood. The first year of the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) era of college athletics provided an opportunity for us to prove, once again, that our Blue Turf thinking and blue collar spirit afford us an unfair advantage when we get on a level playing field.
Boise State built a reputation of crashing the party of college football’s elite when given the chance to line up toe-to-toe. NIL presented the opportunity for our athletic department to do the same by outworking and outwitting the competition. Every department across the country took on the challenge of building a robust NIL program at the same time, no matter your resources or budget or history. When the dust settled after the first year, only Boise State was named the nation’s Best Institutional NIL Program at the inaugural NIL Awards.
Our football program is still the measuring stick of our peers. We just played in the Mountain West Championship Game for the sixth time in the last nine years and achieved bowl eligibility for the 25th consecutive season. As the NIL landscape continues to take shape, we are committed to staying on the forefront of it too.
One of the most significant advancements in NIL is the proliferation of collectives. These organizations, which operate independent of a university, often pool funds from boosters and businesses to help create and facilitate opportunities for student-athletes to monetize their platforms through an array of activities.
We are fortunate that a number of longtime Boise State supporters have come together to create a collective aimed at supporting Boise State student-athletes and our community. A nonprofit organization, The Horseshoe Collective endeavors to raise awareness for local charitable causes by pairing them with civic-minded Boise State student-athletes seeking to use their platform and influence to make a positive impact in our community. Contributions to The Horseshoe Collective are considered charitable donations due to the organization’s 501 (c)(3) status.
In this new era of collegiate athletics, you’re either moving forward or getting left behind. I am thrilled to see people who care about this program take steps to keep us headed in the right direction.Andy Avalos, Boise State football head coach
This group will be a fantastic complement to the groundbreaking work our team is doing in the NIL space on a daily basis and provide yet another robust avenue to support Bronco student-athletes.
The Bronco Athletic Association will remain the preeminent vehicle for supporting our department by funding student-athlete scholarships, student-athlete services, facility enhancements and other operational upgrades. But there is no denying the importance of investing in opportunities for Bronco student-athletes to maximize their earning potential. It is critical to our continued success.
The Horseshoe Collective recently launched an online giving platform and I am asking you to consider contributing to its success, for the benefit of Boise State student-athletes.
To learn more about The Horseshoe Collective, its mission and how you can get involved, contact executive director Joe Nickell at joe@thehorseshoecollective.com. A former associate athletic director at Boise State, Joe’s involvement in the The Horseshoe Collective provides me immense comfort. He knows the rules and he cares deeply about Bronco Athletics and our student-athletes.
If you want to seek additional ways to get involved and keep Boise State on the leading edge of the new era of college athletics, there are more avenues for you to explore:
- Create partnerships with Boise State student-athletes who align with your values as a business, organization or individual. Our business development team is ready to connect you with the right brand ambassadors and guide you through the process to create a mutually-beneficial relationship. Contact: nil@boisestate.edu.
- Lend your time and talent to our award-winning NIL program to help Boise State student-athletes learn how to make the most of their opportunities and teach them skills that will serve them well long after they hang up their jersey. Contact: nil@boisestate.edu.
Thank you for being part of our team. We would be nothing without you and your unwavering support. Even as the winds of change whip through college athletics, we know we will be well positioned because we have the strength of Bronco Nation to lean on.
Go Broncos!
Jeramiah Dickey
Director of Athletics