Blue Grit Collective Launches as NIL Collective for DePaul University Student-Athletes
Powered by Blueprint Sports, the new collective supporting Blue Demon student-athletes introduces a new website, fan membership, and other expanded offerings.
CHICAGO (April 4, 2024) – Blueprint Sports (BPS), the industry leader in full-service name, image, and likeness (NIL) collectives, proudly announced today the launch of Blue Grit Collective, an NIL Collective supporting all DePaul University student-athletes.
“We are committed to building a championship experience here at DePaul for each of our 15 sports, and we know that there are four key elements in achieving that,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics DeWayne Peevy. “Facilities, operating budgets, and coaching staffs are three components that athletic departments can contribute to financially to put us in place to succeed. The fourth element is NIL. Today, NIL provides us with an incredible opportunity for rapid advancement and is critical to our future success. Based on current legislation, our institution, coaches, and staff cannot contribute to this area. We need our supporters’ help to achieve our NIL goals. The amount is not as important as the action—we need all Blue Demon Nation to come together to advance each of our programs forward. The Blue Grit Collective, in our partnership with Blueprint Sports, is fully endorsed by DePaul Athletics and provides a new unique opportunity for Blue Demon Nation to impact the student-athlete experience here at DePaul. It’s time to step up, help your university, and make our shared dreams a reality.”
The launch of the collective comes with a new website and membership program where Blue Demon fans, supporters and alums will receive exclusive benefits while supporting NIL opportunities for DePaul University student-athletes. Starting at only $15 a month, community supporters can become members of the collective and receive exclusive merchandise, content, and access to events including meet-and-greets with student-athletes, watch parties, and more.
Launched shortly after the university named former Big East Coach of the Year, Chris Holtmann, as the next head coach for DePaul Men's Basketball, Blue Grit Collective emerges to provide enhanced NIL support for all Blue Demon student-athletes, echoing the university’s commitment to NIL and the new landscape of college athletics.
“The launch of the Blue Grit Collective today is another step forward for DePaul Athletics and is vital to our goals for the men's basketball program,” said Holtmann. "The growth and commitment from the DePaul community toward our NIL efforts is a real difference maker and Blue Grit Collective enhances those opportunities for our student-athletes.”
Blue Grit Collective supporters, alumni, and fans have three easy ways to contribute to the collective:
Tax-Deductible Donations: Blue Grit Collective has partnered with the BPS Foundation, a national 501c3 organization, to support Blue Demon student-athletes. Student-athletes will partner with local nonprofits to work as advocates for charitable causes, including fulfilling that commitment personally with community service hours.
Memberships: Become a member of Blue Grit Collective and receive exclusive member benefits, like meet-and-greets with student-athletes, autographed merchandise, and more.
Corporate Sponsorship: NIL allows local and national sponsors to partner with Blue Demon student-athletes for endorsement deals, marketing campaigns, appearances, and other projects.
As part of the collective’s immediate roll-out, Blue Grit Collective is organizing a basketball camp for low-income youth in the city of Chicago featuring DePaul men’s basketball student-athletes. Still in its early planning stages, more information about the camp will be released later this summer. The collective will also be partnering with Buckets over Bullying, a non-profit initiative whose mission is to stop cyberbullying of children and teens. It will continue to connect Blue Demon student-athletes with other local non-profits that are making a difference in the community.
For more information about Blue Grit Collective, visit bluegritcollective.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X.
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ABOUT BLUE GRIT COLLECTIVE
Blue Grit Collective is a fan-driven and alumni-led Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collective for DePaul University student-athletes, alumni, and fans. Community members who commit their support to Blue Grit Collective are pledging to maximize opportunities for Blue Demon student-athletes. In addition, community supporters gain access to exclusive events, autograph sessions, and more. Blue Grit Collective is powered by parent company Blueprint Sports. For more information, visit bluegritcollective.com and follow @BlueGritCollective on Facebook, X and Instagram.
ABOUT BLUEPRINT SPORTS
Founded in 2020, 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 across the country, including Penn State University, University of Arkansas, University of Kansas, University of Maryland, University of Washington, University of Colorado, Boston College, NC State University, Villanova University, Stanford University, Gonzaga University, University of Arizona, University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of Nevada, Reno, 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 more. For more information, visit blueprintsports.com or its pages on Facebook, Instagram and X.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Marina Bain
