USC donor urges Gamecock fan participation in NIL
One of South Carolina athletics’ financial supporters has released a statement urging Gamecock fans to get involved in NIL efforts through the Garnet Trust Foundation.
“It’s time we make a change and use our one controllable to make a difference. Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) is taking the forefront in recruiting in college athletics,” said Barry Bodiford, a USC graduate and Garnet Society member. “Your social media feeds are probably like mine, filled with suggestions on better coaching, better recruiting and all sorts of other things that none of us are capable of providing or qualified to do so.”
Bodiford, the founder and CEO of 360clean, is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and served as a graduate assistant for Gamecock football under Lou Holtz and Brad Scott.
Along with his wife, Allison, Bodiford is a “In The Huddle” member of the Garnet Society, meaning a commitment of over $1 million to the university’s athletics department.
He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Garnet Trust Foundation.
“We are qualified and capable to make the University of South Carolina athletic programs shine in the world of NIL and attract top athletes and their families to USC,” Bodiford continued in his statement. At the Garnet Trust Foundation, our goal is not about ‘paying players’. This is a negative stigma that doesn’t have to exist at USC.”
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Garnet Trust Foundation launched in October of 2022. The Board of Directors consists of Bodiford, Marcus Lattimore, Ken Long, Markeshia Grant, Tim Packer, Brent Skinner, and Candace Knox.
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According to the organization, the mission of the Garnet Trust Foundation is to help promote, support, and advance charitable organizations and causes, educate the general public regarding these charitable organizations and causes, and to make positive impacts on communities, by utilizing the names, images, and likenesses and notoriety of University of South Carolina student-athletes.
“We are teaching our athletes to give back and what it feels like to give back! This is all being completed with local charities and non-profit organizations,” Bodiford’s statement said. “When they talk about choosing a university being a 40-year decision, what we are providing adds even more to that statement. We are focused on attracting top athletes, rewarding them, and making a difference!”
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Garnet Trust Foundation has been granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status, making contributions tax deductible.
“It’s my hope that more Gamecocks will get as excited as I am about what the Garnet Trust Foundation can do for local charities/ non-profits and the lessons it will teach our student athletes while also rewarding them,” said Bodiford. “Again, we have a controllable and we need to get behind the Garnet Trust Foundation and exercise our opportunity to build up Gamecock athletics.”
