By Sharon Aron Baron
The NCAA’s NIL ruling in early July allows college athletes to benefit from their name, image, and likeness. It also enabled organizations of all sizes to support athletes who aligned with their brand, goals, and vision.
Private middle and high school Xceed Preparatory Academy quickly focused on hometown star golfer Brett Roberts, a Florida State University incoming sophomore, as a potential brand ambassador.
“Brett truly embodies the characteristics of Xceed students,” said Brent Goldman, Ed.D., CEO and co-founder of Xceed Preparatory Academy which has four campuses in Florida including one in Coral Springs.
“Our students are hard-working and driven yet care about those around them—they are like a team. They are real change-makers, and from what we’ve seen of Brett, he would have fit in perfectly on our campus.”
Originally from Coral Springs, Roberts had a stellar freshman year at Florida State and was named to the 2021 All-ACC, Golf Coaches Association of America All-Freshman and PING Southeast Regional Teams, and both Golfweek and PING named him Honorable Mention All-American.
Although he didn’t attend Xceed, the sport management major said he was interested in partnering with the school because of its forward-thinking, personalized educational model that supports the goal — and schedules — of elite athletes.
Sounding like a company spokesperson, Roberts said although he had a great experience at his high school, he wishes he would have known about Xceed.
“When you’re competing nationally or internationally, it can be difficult as a student to miss even just one day of classes. At Xceed, student-athletes can work ahead before competitions, do their work between training sessions, and not be penalized for coming to campus later in the day or leaving early for practice. Not compromising education while training and competing at the highest levels of competition just makes sense.”
“Our unique hybrid model, which allows students to study at their own pace, come to campus at times most convenient for them and work one-on-one with their teachers, has attracted many elite athletes over the last few years,” said Goldman, adding from twin Formula 3 drivers who spent most of their high school careers in Europe to a top showjumper from Norway to star sibling tennis players from Canada.
Under NCAA’s NIL agreement, compensation, usually money earned by college athletes, is now allowed to use their fame or celebrity, either their name, their image, or a likeness of who they are.
Although the terms of the agreement are not publicly disclosed, as a brand ambassador, Roberts will share his thoughts about the school and its model to his followers via social media over the course of the upcoming academic year.
Goldman said that regardless of their scholarship or financial situation, collegiate athletes still have expenses to cover, whether for off-season training or equipment.
“To support a local kid who I’m sure will continue to find success in his golf career while raising awareness of our school is not only a win-win but very rewarding.”
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