In the ever-evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness, it’s important for teams to stay ahead of the game. Over the last few years, the Oklahoma Sooners have worked to catch up and then establish their presence as a power on the name, image, and likeness front.
In an effort to get ahead of the game, the Sooners launched a new initiative, the Athlete Services Division at the University of Oklahoma.
The division strengthens Oklahoma’s already existing efforts to support students in enhancing their opportunities through name, image, and likeness. In partnership with Altius Sports Partners, the OU Athlete Services Division hopes to support student-athletes through a team approach that will combine Altius’ expertise on the national level with Oklahoma’s student-first approach.
“At OU, our student-athletes come first,” said OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione via SoonerSports.com. “Our new Athlete Services Division builds upon our NIL program, taking us beyond merely supporting our student-athletes in their pursuit to benefit from their own NIL to a state where they have access to comprehensive educational services and resources. OU Athletics is the flagship brand to drive distinct value for student-athletes. By creating the opportunity for them to pair their personal brand with the power of OU’s legacy, we pave the way to lifelong success. The Athlete Services Division will fortify us in our efforts to do just that, while also continuing to position OU as a trailblazer in all of college athletics.”
Dating back to the 1980s, when Oklahoma petitioned to own its broadcast rights, the University of Oklahoma has been at the forefront of innovation.
“Through this new division, we stay committed to remaining agile in the ever-evolving collegiate sports landscape,” he said. “We are fully prepared to expand and adapt as necessary so we can best serve our student-athletes.”
“OU’s dedication to serving athletes in every facet of their collegiate journey is truly inspiring,” said CEO and Founding Partner of Altius Sports Partners, Casey Schwab. “OU has always been highly invested in NIL support, and the ASD is the natural next step to best position OU student-athletes for success. This transcends NIL; it’s about providing comprehensive and personalized support to all Sooner athletes as they pursue opportunities during their OU career and prepare for life beyond collegiate athletics. We are honored to be part of establishing this new gold standard, driven by OU’s foresight and innovative spirit.”
As the Oklahoma Sooners look to gain an edge on the competition, the Athlete Services Division will help them take another step in providing opportunities for their student-athletes.
As the Sooners look to recruit against the best in the country, furthering their efforts in name, image, and likeness will only help.
From the University of Oklahoma
OU Athletics Athlete Services Division
- A Team Approach: Departmental unit of multiple experienced professionals dedicated to supporting athletes and identifying how to diversify and optimize athlete revenue opportunities
- Specialization: Targeted roles focused on overall strategic alignment, athlete education and support, and athlete revenue optimization
- Adaptability: Designed to expand and adapt as necessary to effectively serve the evolving needs of student-athletes amidst an ever-changing collegiate sports landscape
- Combined Forces: Altius’ national perspective combined with the local expertise of OU’s staff provides for an informed and centralized strategy to position student-athletes for success
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