This college’s alumni group might have found a sustainable way to do NIL at the D3 level

When NIL became legal five years ago, most people assumed it would only benefit the biggest stars in college sports.

The reality? NCAA Division III (D3) athletes have built personal brands and successfully monetized their name, image, and likeness (NIL) at a rate few would have predicted.

Want to learn more about D3 NIL? Here is some of our previous work:

In fact, according to data from Opendorse - a leading NIL enablement company - the D3 level has seen the largest total NIL spend of any level other than D1. Here are the numbers since 2021 and a projection of where the total volume of NIL spending could go in the next two years.

We’ve covered what D3 athletes have done to monetize these rights and what motivated D3 collectives have set up to support their school’s teams.

But today, we’re detailing a slightly new take on D3 NIL that seems to be more sustainable and could have a lasting impact on the space.

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The new setup is being developed by former D3 Athlete, Buzz Anthony with help from his Randolph-Macon College teammates like Miles Mallory. Both Buzz and Miles are playing professional basketball overseas, but in their down time they have been building the foundations of Center of the Universe (COTU) NIL.

Buzz serves as CEO and founder of COTU and has been the driver of this project to support his alma mater, and more specifically the Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets’ Men’s Basketball team.

Now, a single-team focus is not new - just look at Two Rivers NIL - but how Buzz and his team are choosing to focus their NIL partnerships is and it could go a long way towards alleviating donor fatigue. Specifically, we think what they are doing will reduce or eliminate concerns that players signing big deals will leave the program after a year or two to sign for more elsewhere.

We sat down with Buzz to learn more about what they’re building. Enjoy!

What is COTU NIL and why are you starting it?

BA: COTU NIL is a community-driven collective creating Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities for the Randolph–Macon men’s basketball senior student-athletes who wear the jersey. NIL is now being used as a tool for culture and not a false identity.

The goal is to rebrand the connotation around D3 NIL and do so with a strong loyalty and reinvestment model. We will pool revenue from local businesses and member supporters to sign deals with seniors as a reward at the end of their careers as opposed to transactional enticements in the recruiting process.

We are starting it to make a positive and modern impact on our alma mater. I believe the trickle of NIL is coming to all levels. Personally, being a professional basketball player in Germany I feel I have a unique platform to lead and innovate in this sport business space.

What makes you think D3 NIL can work?

BA: I believe any program with strong alumni involvement and care can create a fruitful NIL environment. Of course large D1 schools have had that for years, but I do think on a smaller scale this exists at NCAA D3 schools.

It will not work for all schools and I am not sure it will work at RMC, but the idea of helping and reinvesting in student-athletes is not a new one. I believe NIL offers a new route and engagement available to those who care and want to be involved.

COTU focuses on rewarding seniors who have stayed for four years

COTU’s homepage highlights the focus on rewarding seniors for staying four years.

“You say you’re…”not buying wins. We’re investing in the seniors who built this program — and the alumni and community that stand behind them.” Why this different focus and do you think it is a model that can be replicated elsewhere?

BA: My faith is very important to me. Jesus details how we can be merciful to others because our father has shown His mercy to us. This outpouring can 100% be replicated because it is a model based in gratefulness and mercy. Mercy is an undeserved gift.

No D3 athlete is expecting to play pro or have a full scholarship. I see NIL as a tool to love/care for student athletes. That desire already exists around the nation and is vital to small college and universities. This financial incentive is another fruit that many programs can now use to holistically care for and mentor their athletes.

Who makes up the team at COTU?

BA: We currently have a volunteer board of eight members. It is all younger alumni who have graduated from Randolph-Macon College within the last 10 or so years.

What do you have planned for the opening on July 25th and for this upcoming season?

BA: Our Center of the Universe Official Opening Event will be held on July 25th 7:00-8:30pm ET at Sports Page Bar and Grill in Ashland, VA. The goal of this event is to communicate our mission with local and interested members. There will be food and drink, networking with local alumni, and meet and greet with RMC seniors.

This upcoming season will be filled with alumni/members and community engagement events. We are very excited about our exclusive high basketball IQ monthly email newsletters, VIP home post-game events, Senior & Members Monthly Breakfast, Autograph and Photo Day, and Chalk Talks with the Seniors.

As you can tell, all of our events are based on the seniors because these events are the deliverables that allow them to be paid for their NIL. All senior players, whether they are the leading scorer or do not play a minute, will be paid the same amount from funds we receive.

The community is excited to support and provide a reward and tangible thank you for the student-athletes who have given so much of their time and effort to a program that so many care about.

Where can people follow along or contribute if they want to?

BA: The best place to learn more about who we are is to visit our website. We are also building our social media profiles on Instagram and Linkedin.

You can subscribe to upcoming news and topics on the bottom of our website to follow our journey and how we grow.

Thanks Buzz and Good Luck!

Thanks for Reading

Next week, we’ll continue our D3 financial aid series with Michigan through New Jersey, featuring more state aid programs and Division III colleges helping families reduce the cost of college. Read parts 1 & 2 covering Arkansas through Massachusetts here.

Plus more scholarships on Sunday!

In the meantime, study up with an episode of the Student Athlete Sessions podcast.

Is This the Future of D3 NIL?