Keepers of the Culture Kicks Off Fundraising Challenge for Loyola Basketball Student-athletes
The fundraising effort is supported by generous anonymous donors committed to matching all donations up to $100K through the end of the 2023-2024 college basketball season.
CHICAGO (February 20, 2024) – Keepers of the Culture, the official name, image and likeness (NIL) collective of Loyola Athletics, today announced a fundraising challenge for Rambler basketball student-athletes that will run through the end of the 2023-2024 season and will see generous donors match every incoming donation, up to $100,000.
The first-of-its-kind fundraising effort for the collective on behalf of Loyola basketball student-athletes comes less than a year after the team’s official NIL collective launched, representing a fervent commitment to the success of Loyola student-athletes and an unmatched inaugural effort to support its players as they finish off the 2023-24 season.
“NIL has changed so much for our players,” said Loyola men’s basketball coach, Drew Valentine. “It has allowed them to connect with the community in unique ways. These kinds of meaningful partnerships between Rambler student-athletes and our surrounding communities are made possible thanks to fundraising initiatives like this one, which is why I’m such a staunch advocate for the Keepers of the Culture collective and its mission to champion impactful opportunities for our players.”
The fundraising program kicks off today and will go on until the end of the NCAA March Madness Tournament. Fans, alumni, and supporters who would like to donate to the Keepers of the Culture fund will help maximize opportunities for student-athletes to build their brand and earn compensation through NIL partnerships facilitated by the collective.
“We’re incredibly lucky to not only be backed by a strong, industry-defining NIL collective, but also by a vast network of incredible Loyola supporters and alumni,” said Steve Watson, athletic director at Loyola University. “The generosity that is prompting this fundraising challenge is a testament to their dedication to the success of our players, the program, and the school at large.”
Supporters who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution that will be matched dollar-for-dollar to the Keepers of the Culture collective can do so through the collective’s partnership with the BPS Foundation, a national 501c3 organization. Visit www.bpsfoundation.net or click HERE to contribute online today. For more information on all contribution options, please contact Logan Craghead, Region General Manager, at logan@keepersoftheculturenil.com. With questions about Loyola Athletics or the importance of supporting Keepers of the Culture, please contact Tom Sorboro at tsorboro@luc.edu.
About Keepers of the Culture
Keepers of the Culture is a fan-driven and alumni-led Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) program for Loyola University Chicago student-athletes, alumni, and fans. Community members who commit their support to Keepers of the Culture, are pledging to maximize opportunities for student-athletes to build their brand and earn compensation. In addition, community supporters gain access to exclusive events, autograph sessions, and more. Keepers of the Culture is powered by parent company Blueprint Sports. For more information visit keepersoftheculturenil.com and follow @KOTCNIL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About 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.
