Mike Rhoades urges NIL support for Penn State basketball
Penn State basketball announced last week its NIL luncheon in the Harrisburg area set for Thursday, June 6. With Nittany Lions head coach Mike Rhoades headlining the event, the intention is to connect with businesses and individuals as the program looks to continue to broaden its name, image, and likeness efforts.
On Monday, Rhoades amplified the event with a personal message sent to Happy Valley United’s social media channels.
Speaking directly to supporters in the minute-long recorded video, Rhoades stressed the importance of NIL and its impact on the players within the program. Already on record detailing its necessity in today’s national college basketball landscape, while pushing for a right way of operating, Rhoades outlined his hopes for the luncheon.
“Name, image, and likeness plays a large role in building our program’s future and sets up our student-athletes to pursue success on and off the court. We all can contribute in helping our players become successful after graduation,” he said. “Our basketball players work with businesses and charities to build connections and leave a positive impact in so many different ways. That is why on June 6, I want you to join our staff for a meet and greet at West Shore Country Club to discuss the importance of NIL and how you can make a difference in the lives of our student-athletes.”
Harrisburg area NIL luncheon details
The event at the West Shore Country Club is set to take place from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on June 6 and will include complimentary food and drinks. Tickets are priced at $25 and are available now.
“Join Mike Rhoades and his staff for a luncheon on June 6 at 11:30 AM at West Shore Country Club benefitting NIL efforts for Penn State men’s basketball. Learn how NIL could benefit your business as well as men’s basketball student-athletes through conversations with Rhoades, his staff and Happy Valley United’s staff.”
With that message in mind, Rhoades urged the program’s supporters directly to attend and learn more about the NIL process on Monday.
“I believe for us to move Penn State basketball forward, I need you and your businesses engaged with us and be ready to go on this awesome journey together,” Rhoades said. “So I need all my Central Pa. Nittany Lionss to show up June 6.”
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The event will be Rhoades’ second on the road in the same week. In addition to the HVU luncheon in the Harrisburg area on June 6, Rhoades will also appear as the featured speaker in the Penn State Alumni Association New York Chapter Annual Celebration/Networking Event on June 3.
Mike Rhoades outlines NIL approach for Penn State
Rhoades’ NIL stance has been measured through his first year with the Penn State basketball program. Accepting the job in March 2023 in the midst of public NIL challenges for the program, he has since helped usher in the naming of his former coach at Lebanon Valley, Pat Flannery, as the GM for basketball with HVU.
Refusing to let NIL become the chief reason for transfer portal pickups or traditional recruits to join the program, Rhoades has framed the effort as one both necessary to compete in today’s college basketball, but also one that can and should be community driven.
“(We’re trying to) get people involved and be a part of our program,” Rhoades said. “I am friend-raising before I’m fundraising. I want to get as many people involved in our basketball program and feel a part of it in different ways… And I want people supporting our program to sweat with us, to be there with us.
“The other side of it is, of course, the NIL. It’s a hot topic these days, but it’s something that we have to be very competitive in that arena. And I’ve been very active as the head coach here at Penn State of getting people on board for that. Getting people to support our players. Getting Happy Valley United to build a cool business model so we do it the right way.”
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