Every kid has a dream of playing in the world series game 7 and hitting that game winning home run in the bottom of the ninth to win the championship, catching that pass in the end zone on the last play of the Super Bowl to take the Lombardi trophy, or hit the buzzer shot to become NBA world champions. As a baseball umpire, football referee, and coach of multiple sports my passion and enthusiasm for sports has extended throughout my lifetime. Last summer I took the step to turn that experience, passion, and positive energy into engagement in the sports world earning certification in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) through Sports Management Worldwide.

Led by Greg Glynn, the Founder and CEO of Pliable Marketing, we studied, discussed, debated, and learned about NIL in the aftermath of the House settlement which allows NCAA Division 1 student athletes to be paid by their respective institutions. Each week, Greg dove into the latest and hottest NIL topics, subjects of interest to my fellow classmates and myself and created a platform to share experiences about sports, athletes, and NIL. We came away better informed and trained in the critical areas of NIL including social media platforms, athlete branding and brand affinities, marketing including market value of student-athletes, legislation, recruiting practices, endorsement contracts and negotiations, compliance requirements, student athlete relationship development and advocacy as well as knowledge and understanding of the role the College Sports Commission, NIL Go, the NCAA and universities play in NIL.

SMWW is truly a leader worldwide and Dr. Lashbrook does more than talk, he walks the walk, engaged with everyone at every level in their lives and careers. He is a man of great integrity and unassailable character. Greg Glynn, without question, is the foremost authority on NIL, whose knowledge, experience and understanding of NIL provides a deep look into NIL's past, present, and future. I not only recommend SMWW’s NIL certification course, but the class also has my highest recommendation for anyone interested in learning and developing a foundation for NIL and gaining insight into its impact on universities, student athletes, and their families.