LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - “Name, image and likeness” or NIL has taken the world of college athletics by storm and McNeese is looking to empower their athletes by giving them the tools to get NIL deals.“It’s about building your brand, getting more NIL deals, financial literacy, managing your finances, tax info, and presenting yourselves to businesses. Learn how to get internships and job opportunities, put yourself out there, and not be afraid to be told no. Real-life experience today at a small scale,” said Assistant AD for NIL & student-athletes Keifer Ackley.They are the first institution in the Southland conference to put on an event of this kind and only the second in the state.“We’re done with the days of we’re just McNeese or we’re only McNeese we’re thinking big now in every aspect. This is really setting the tone in many aspects and developing our athletes,” said Ackley.A panel of prominent student-athletes and local business owners educated other athletes on how they can take advantage of NIL and build their brand.“Even today at the NIL summit you’re talking to so many people and you’re building your brand and you’re not only building your personal brand but your professional growth and it’s going to carry over into the business world, the real world,” said McNeese volleyball player Bailey Tillman.Plenty of local businesses are looking to strike up a deal with these athletes, but it’s not always just about financial compensation.“People always think it’s about the high dollar ticket item right I say take NIL like an internship you have paid internships and non-paid internships it’s about growing your brand as a person. I believe when they join Edible Arrangements what we do is we try to make sure it’s a life lesson, and reach out to the business, all businesses are not looking for you when it’s time to get a job and businesses aren’t going to come looking for you when you’re trying to get a job so I think that’s a life lesson,” said Lake Charles Edible Arrangements owner Ronald Piper.McNeese athletes also participated in a “game of life” where Northwestern Mutual employees helped guide the athletes through financial scenarios to help them learn how to manage their finances.McNeese aims to make this an annual event and wants to continue to help their athletes develop business opportunities.Copyright 2025 KPLC. All rights reserved.

McNeese hosts first NIL Life & Skills Summit to empower student

Copyright 2025 KPLC. All rights reserved.“We’re done with the days of we’re just McNeese or we’re only McNeese we’re thinking big now in every aspect. This is really setting the tone in many aspects and developing our athletes,” said Ackley.“It’s about building your brand, getting more NIL deals, financial literacy, managing your finances, tax info, […]

Copyright 2025 KPLC. All rights reserved.“We’re done with the days of we’re just McNeese or we’re only McNeese we’re thinking big now in every aspect. This is really setting the tone in many aspects and developing our athletes,” said Ackley.“It’s about building your brand, getting more NIL deals, financial literacy, managing your finances, tax info, and presenting yourselves to businesses. Learn how to get internships and job opportunities, put yourself out there, and not be afraid to be told no. Real-life experience today at a small scale,” said Assistant AD for NIL & student-athletes Keifer Ackley.They are the first institution in the Southland conference to put on an event of this kind and only the second in the state.“Even today at the NIL summit you’re talking to so many people and you’re building your brand and you’re not only building your personal brand but your professional growth and it’s going to carry over into the business world, the real world,” said McNeese volleyball player Bailey Tillman.A panel of prominent student-athletes and local business owners educated other athletes on how they can take advantage of NIL and build their brand.McNeese athletes also participated in a “game of life” where Northwestern Mutual employees helped guide the athletes through financial scenarios to help them learn how to manage their finances.Plenty of local businesses are looking to strike up a deal with these athletes, but it’s not always just about financial compensation.McNeese aims to make this an annual event and wants to continue to help their athletes develop business opportunities.LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – “Name, image and likeness” or NIL has taken the world of college athletics by storm and McNeese is looking to empower their athletes by giving them the tools to get NIL deals.“People always think it’s about the high dollar ticket item right I say take NIL like an internship you have paid internships and non-paid internships it’s about growing your brand as a person. I believe when they join Edible Arrangements what we do is we try to make sure it’s a life lesson, and reach out to the business, all businesses are not looking for you when it’s time to get a job and businesses aren’t going to come looking for you when you’re trying to get a job so I think that’s a life lesson,” said Lake Charles Edible Arrangements owner Ronald Piper.