Penn State NIL collective hosts inaugural golf tournament
Happy Valley United, the NIL collective supporting Penn State football, hosted its inaugural Golf Tournament and Reception on Monday afternoon. Taking place at the West Shore Country Club in Camp Hill, Pa., the event served as an initial opportunity to connect fans and businesses with the Nittany Lions coaching staff, as well as its current and former players.
Penn State head coach James Franklin addressed the participants, both before and after the golf tournament, and individually met with them throughout the afternoon. And, as has been his message throughout the Nittany Lions’ grappling with NIL, he reiterated to supporters the need for their continued embrace of college football’s new competitive landscape.
“James rode around and he shook hands with almost everybody and thanked them,” said Jen Ferrang, General Manager of Development and Corporate Sponsorships. “He gave two talks, one before and one after, about the importance of NIL. And he took questions in terms of who we’re competing with and who we all know we want to beat, and how that connects from dollars raised to wins on the field.”
Penn State pushes NIL message
Ferrang, who was in attendance for the event on Monday, relayed the heart of that message from Franklin to the program’s supporters.
Embracing the competitive reality of needing to push past off the field, she said, Penn State football also must be willing to compete in the NIL arena that helps open the doors to that success.
“There are teams that we need to beat, and the changing schedule is going to make that more difficult. And therefore, we have to match what we’re doing from an NIL perspective to meet the same expectations on the field,” she said. “That’s kind of his theme right now, and I think that resonates with everybody.”
For Monday’s event, that message was delivered to a sold-out turnout. Among the supporters, Ferrang reported businesses continuing to support the program as well as new businesses offering support. Additionally, individuals provided support through foursome sponsorships.
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On the course, Penn State football Lettermen including Adam Breneman, Christian Hackenberg, Michael Mauti, Jordan Hill, and Nate Stupar all provided support, while a host of current players and assistant coaches, including Andy Kotelnicki and Tom Allen, also participated in the event and mingled with the program’s supporters.
Lauding those players for their support, particularly in light of them not having played in an era of NIL themselves, Ferrang said their presence helps the cause.
“I think it has a massive impact because it attracts people that are fans that want to understand more about NIL,” she said. “I told all those guys, we appreciate what they’re doing because it helps elevate and extend the message when people are listening to what they’re saying.”
Next steps
The event is the first of three announced NIL-centric gatherings to support Penn State football this offseason. Up next, Happy Valley United is presenting the “We Are… In Philly” reception on Thursday, May 9. And, on July 25, “We Are… At the Shore” reception returns for its second iteration in Avalon, N.J.
Additionally, the “Retain the Roar” drive, with a $50,000 match from former Penn Stater Brad Bars, has surpassed the $100,000 mark toward it’s goal of $500,000.
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