College Athlete Strong

Co-hosts Tim Nevius and Maddie Salamone interview two all-star college athletes capitalizing on NIL rules by pursuing their passions beyond sports. University of Southern California volleyball athlete Skylar Fields discusses her recent transfer from the University of Texas, her ambitions of becoming a CEO, and her approach to partnering with brands. Fields also shares her thoughts on mental health and offers advice to other athletes about managing time and staying humble. We also hear from Jonah Jurick, a men’s tennis athlete at University of Pennsylvania, who nearly lost his eligibility for using his name and photo in connection with his music before NIL rule changes. Jurick goes by the artist name “Hei$t” and discusses the release of his first album, which already has close to half a million streams on Spotify. Jurick shares what the NCAA rules changes have meant to him personally and encourages other athletes to pursue their passions while being an athlete. You can hear a sample of his music at the end of the episode. Have a question you’d like us to answer, want to suggest a topic or guest for the podcast, or like to join us as a marketing partner or sponsor? You can connect with us on social media under College Athlete Strong or email us at collegeathletestrong@gmail.com.

College Athlete Strong welcomes new co-host Maddie Salamone, an attorney and former college athlete who shares her perspective on the college athlete voice and new name, image, and likeness rules. Co-Host Tim Nevius interviews UNLV basketball athlete Jordan McCabe who discusses his entrepreneurial drive and how he keeps his priorities straight as he pursues name, image, and likeness deals off the court. McCabe shares advice his dad gave him and what it means to be more than a basketball player. Tim also speaks with high school basketball star Jada Williams, who discusses her perspective on NIL as a 17-year-old with several national brand deals, such as Spalding, Dicks, Gym Shark, and Overtime. Williams talks about her efforts to stay grounded and “still be a kid” while signing big endorsement contracts, attending photo shoots, and handling money with the help of her mom and others. She shares her desire to use her platform to help people find their purpose and “be a light” for others. Have a question you’d like us to answer, want to suggest a topic or guest for the podcast, or like to join us as a marketing partner or sponsor? You can connect with us on social media under College Athlete Strong or email us at collegeathletestrong@gmail.com.

Host Tim Nevius interviews sports agent AJ Vaynerchuk about name, image, and likeness in college, which he sees as a big win for the athletes. He recalls past college sports events, such as the success of the 2011 Florida Gulf Coast men’s basketball team, billed as “Dunk City,” which presented a financial windfall to everyone involved but the athletes. AJ offers advice for athletes regarding how NIL deals may reflect on athletes in the future, the importance of having a thoughtful team of advisors, what brands seek in ambassadors, how college athletes differ from typical social media influences, and what we expect to see with NIL in the future. In Player’s Perspective, we hear from University of Florida gymnast, Megan Skaggs, a fifth-year senior who shares her perspective on the “age of NIL” after earning an extra year of eligibility due to Covid-19. Megan discusses challenges athletes face as they engage in NIL activities, as well as the opportunities to not only earn money, but also pursue passion projects and give back to others. Megan discusses how gymnastics is unique among college sports and the role athletes have in shaping the future of the system. Have a question you’d like us to answer, want to suggest a topic or guest for the podcast, or like to join us as a marketing partner or sponsor? You can connect with us on social media under College Athlete Strong or email us at collegeathletestrong@gmail.com

Host Tim Nevius interviews U.S. Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-Mass), a former volleyball player at Georgetown University, about the importance of Title IX, the landmark gender equity law approaching its 50th Anniversary; and the two bills she’s introduced in Congress: The College Athlete Economic Freedom Act, which would provide a streamlined federal standard for NIL; and The College Athlete Right to Organize Act, which would allow athletes the right unionize and collectively bargain. In Player’s Perspective, you’ll hear directly from Iowa basketball star Jordan Bohannon, who recently became the Big Ten’s all-time career three-point leader and continues to be an instrumental voice in the player’s movement off the court. Bohannon speaks about following his brother’s footsteps to join the National College Players Association (NCPA), which has been a leader in advancing athlete rights, and reflects on recent player-led campaigns, including the “We Are Not NCAA Property” effort during the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Bohannon describes his joy as athletes capitalize on NIL deals for the first time in history and hard-fought reform efforts start to come to fruition. Beside NIL and economic inequities, health and safety standards are not up to par for many college athletes, according to Bohannon, and more work is left to be done. Have a question you’d like us to answer, want to suggest a topic or guest for the podcast, or like to join us as a marketing partner or sponsor? You can connect with us on social media under College Athlete Strong or email us at collegeathletestrong@gmail.com

In this inaugural episode, host Tim Nevius interviews Chris and Mya Hinton, former standout athletes at Northwestern University, who are now all-pro parents of two very successful college athletes. In 2020, the Hintons formed College Football Parents 247, which began as a resource to help parents get information about university COVID policies affecting athletes. Today, they are helping parents gain a stronger voice in college sports and focusing on other pressing concerns of college athletes, including mental health. The Hintons note that the Big Ten Conference plans to start a Parents Council, which ostensibly would be the first group of its kind in college sports. In Player’s Perspective, you’ll hear directly from Aisha Sheppard, an all-American basketball player, who has earned two degrees at Virginia Tech. Sheppard discusses how, supported by her athletic department, she has become a leader and advocate for social justice issues and has worked to strengthen athletes’ voices, in contrast to those who say that athletes should just “shut-up and dribble.” Have a question you’d like us to answer, want to suggest a topic or guest for the podcast, or like to join us as a marketing partner or sponsor? You can connect with us on social media under College Athlete Strong or email us at collegeathletestrong@gmail.com

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