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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Blueprint Sports Launches "1804 Sport Collective" Name, Image, and Likeness Collective at Ohio University

Collective Will Help Student-Athletes Connect with Local Communities and National Brands to Maximize NIL Endorsement Opportunities

Athens, Ohio (December 22, 2022)- Today, Blueprint Sports announced the launch of the "1804 Sport Collective", a name, image, and likeness (NIL) collective supporting student-athletes at Ohio University. The name pays homage to the fact that Ohio University was founded in 1804 as the first university West of the Appalachian mountain range (known then as the Northwest Territory).

Fan-driven and alumni-led, 1804 Sport Collective will expand opportunities for student-athletes on Ohio University's men's basketball team to promote their brands and actively engage with the community.

"The college basketball landscape is changing, and our mindset must change with it," said Jeff Boals, Ohio University's men's basketball head coach. "We are excited the 1804 Sport Collective is launching for our student-athletes so they can grow their brand while engaging in the community.”

Through the 1804 Sport Collective, individuals can make tax-deductible contributions through the BPS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) partner organization formed to educate, encourage, and assist student-athletes in their efforts to engage with the local community through charitable causes. Additionally, local and national businesses can align their brands with Ohio University men's basketball players by creating custom marketing campaigns, planning speaking engagements, autograph sessions, participating in charity events, and more. To learn more about 1804 Sport Collective, visit 1804sportcollective.com

The AECOM Center for Sports Administration in the College of Business will provide graduate students from their renowned MSA program to facilitate day to day operations in Athens, OH at the direction of Blueprint Sports' corporate team. AECOM Center Executive Director Matt Cacciato says "the opportunity to work with Blueprint's executives to launch and grow the 1804 Collective is a tremendous opportunity for our students to gain invaluable experience as the all-important NIL marketplace evolves."

About Blueprint Sports
Founded in Las Vegas in 2020 and backed by Andre Agassi, eight-time Grand Slam tennis champion, Blueprint Sports (BPS) powers the industry's leading name, image, and likeness (NIL) collectives for alumni, supporters, and businesses, connecting them with student-athletes at their favorite university. BPS' national portfolio of collectives supports student-athletes in communities across the country, including Friends of the Heights, around Boston College, Pack of Wolves NIL, around N.C. State University, Friends of Nova, around Villanova University, Friends of Spike, around Gonzaga University, Lions Legacy Club, around Penn State Univeristy, Friends of Wilbur & Wilma, around the University of Arizona, , Friends of BaseVols, around the University of Tennessee, Friends of UNILV, around the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Friends of the Pack, around the University of Nevada, and more.

The Blueprint Sports management team possesses over 50 years of college and professional sports experience, spanning the Pac-12 Conference, IMG, Learfield, and Nevada Athletics Commission, among others. For more information, visit blueprintsports.com and follow @PoweredByBPS on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) On June 30, 2021, the Division I Board of Directors approved an interim name, image, and likeness policy. This new policy allows all NCAA DI, DII, and DIII student-athletes to be compensated for their NIL as of July 1, 2021. Student-athletes can now engage in paid community appearances, autograph sessions, youth coaching engagements, and sports marketing campaigns. ###

Media Contact:
Gracie Gordon
gracie@theferrarogroup.com
(775)720-9951

Original Article

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Nate Brown

General Manager

Nate Brown is the General Manager of Zags Collective, leading the charge to help amplify the opportunities for the Gonzaga student-athletes through NIL partnerships with local charities, fans and businesses. With over a decade of experience in the professional sports industry and as a former business owner in Spokane, Nate is a seasoned professional who knows what it takes to succeed. Most recently, he served as the National Sales Director for a prominent west-coast real estate company, where he was responsible for driving growth and retention. With a deep understanding of sales and marketing, Nate brings a wealth of knowledge to the table and is always seeking innovative ways to drive revenue and create partnerships.With a passion for ensuring the success of student-athletes both on and off the field, Nate is dedicated to providing the necessary resources to keep Gonzaga competitive on the national stage. He understands the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with the community and local businesses, and works to maximize opportunities for Gonzaga’s student-athletes. As the son of two Gonzaga alumni, including a father who was a baseball pitcher and also a coach for the school, Nate has a great connection to the university and a passion for ensuring its continued success. Outside of work, Nate enjoys spending time with family, including his wife Jessica and their 16-year-old daughter Brooklynn and 12-year-old son Marcus. When not working or spending time with family, you can find Nate at any one of the amazing golf courses in Spokane, honing his swing!

Mike Smith

General Manager

Mike Smith joined Micconope 1851 in March 2023 and is excited to be the General Manager and looks forward to working with Blueprint Sports increase NIL revenue generation for Florida State University student-athletes. Smith comes to Micconope 1851 from Catawba College where he held the title as the Senior Director of Athletics, Development. Prior to working in Athletics at Catawba College, Mike served as the Associate Athletics Director for External Relations at Charleston Southern University. Smith has an impressive background in the collegiate athletics industry, having held senior level development and corporate sponsorship sales roles at The University of Southern Mississippi, Limestone University, the Sun Belt Conference, Florida Atlantic University, and with multimedia rights-holders Tele South Communications at the University of Mississippi, Learfield Sports at UNC Chapel Hill, and with International Sports Properties at Georgia Tech. Smith is a graduate of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and holds a master’s degree in Business Management from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In his new role here at Micconppe 1851, Smith will be responsible for raising major gifts for NIL deals as well as securing NIL corporate sponsorships for Florida State University student-athletes. Mike looks forward to helping ensure the FSU student-athletes have the resources and leadership opportunities to remain competitive nationally and positioned for success well beyond graduation. Mike is married to Katy Smith; the couple looks forward to relocating to Tallahassee, Florida, and becoming a part of the Micconope 1851 and Seminole family!

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