Indiana-focused NIL collective Hoosiers For Good announces NIL partnerships with 19 athletes

Hoosiers for Good has announced its third class of athletes.

The Indiana-focused NIL collective initially launched last spring, signing agreements with 14 athletes. One of the first collectives in the country to receive its 501(c)(3) status and earn federal tax exemption, the collective announced another class this past summer focused specifically on men’s and women’s basketball.

Now it has returned with its third iteration, signing deals with 19 Indiana athletes. The collective was also able to introduce five new charities to their initiative, bringing the total to 11 Indiana-based charity partners.

The third class of Hoosiers for Good includes athletes across eight different programs, including women’s basketball team, baseball, men’s soccer, football, volleyball, women’s track and field, women’s diving and women’s water polo. 

“We’re excited that our third Hoosiers For Good class not only includes men and women who represent a number of IU Athletics programs, but also that this group of community-minded leaders has huge potential to even further increase awareness for 11 Indiana-based charities,” Hoosiers for Good executive director Tyler Harris said in a statement. “Our charity partners have shared that having IU athletes promote their organizations has increased awareness, donations, and excitement, and we’re grateful for our supporters who have contributed to these athletes making a difference in our community.” 

The collective set the standard for many similar organizations across the country who have used the nonprofit model to connect athletes with charities, while also still securing compensation for the athletes.

The Class of Winter 2023

• Phillip Glasser, baseball, A Kid Again
• Patrick McDonald, men’s soccer, and Bobby Whalen, baseball, Bloomington Health Foundation
• Jaylin Lucas, football, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington
• Elle Hillers, volleyball, and Maddie Russin, track and field, Girls on the Run Central Indiana
• Chloe Moore-McNeil and Sara Scalia, women’s basketball, Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County
• Sean Wracher, football, Healing Hands
• Tarrin Gilliland, women’s swimming and diving, and Haley Hunter, water polo, Jump IN for Healthy Kids
• Aaron Casey and Zach Carpenter, football, RecycleForce
• Maouloune Goumballe and Brett Bebej, men’s soccer, Stone Belt
• Josh Sales and Cam Camper, football, Stop The Violence Indianapolis
• Noah Pierre and Kahlil Benson, football, Young & Established

The terms of the agreements were not disclosed. The collective’s inaugural class last spring totaled $470,000 in athlete compensation, across 14 NIL deals, according to the IndyStar‘s Zach Osterman.

Hoosiers for Good also provided data in the release on the impact the partnerships have made to charities. The Indiana Chapter of A Kid Again, a children’s charity that serves families who are raising kids living with life-threatening conditions. Working with Indiana basketball player Xavier Johnson this summer, the charity gained 10 new followers with 10,000 views in less than 24 hours on its recently launched Instagram page.

Indiana collective continues to separate itself

While Hoosiers for Good announced its winter 2023 class Wednesday, the collective made news this past fall when it launched Hoosiers Connect.

The other branch of the collective facilitates sponsorship agreements between brands and Indiana athletes, specifically football and men’s basketball. The nonprofit also offers individual and corporate members access to student-athletes.

What stands out the most about the collective is how it pulls some ideas from YOKE’s NIL access clubs, but caters truly to an Indiana fan. Harris serves as executive director, the same role he plays for Hoosiers For Good. Former men’s basketball player Collin Hartman serves as the vice president of partnerships.

“Companies are thinking creatively about the commercial side of NIL, and we see a real opportunity to facilitate NIL agreements in a way that follows the rules, benefits local businesses, and ultimately helps Indiana flourish,” Hartman previously said. “One business we spoke to is highly focused on building a robust talent pipeline in Indiana, so we are working on an NIL agreement with an athlete who can attract attention at an upcoming career fair. It’s a win-win.”