Spalding University's Eagles Nest Collective helps DIII athletes cash in on NIL

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- College athletes across the country have been capitalizing on their name, image, and likeness (NIL) to earn money, but for many smaller schools, those opportunities can be limited. That’s not the case at Spalding University.

The Division III school recently became one of the few in its class to establish an official NIL collective, giving its student-athletes the chance to earn compensation.

The initiative is particularly significant for Spalding’s athletes, as Division III programs cannot offer athletic scholarships.

“With NIL, it’s limited on what the school can do,” Spalding Athletic Director Brian Clinard said. “So, it takes somebody with a true heart and passion for Spalding and our student-athletes to take that leap of faith and start something like a collective.”

That "somebody" is former Spalding baseball player, now Louisville-based real estate leader, Jake Wardrip. Last month, he launched the Eagles Nest Collective provide resources, mentorship and monetization opportunities for student athletes.

"Spalding gave me the tools so that I could be successful after baseball, and I just want to give back to my alma mater," Wardrip said, "I owe a lot to Spalding, even more to the baseball program."

The Eagles Nest partnered with Opendorse, a leading NIL platform, as its operations partner. The collective will facilitate deals between businesses, investors and athletes, and ensure that all parties are protected in those exchanges.

A rarity for a Division III program, the Eagles Nest is not just providing a unique opportunity for hard working student athletes, but also local businesses that may not otherwise have the necessary resources to be involved with these deals.

"You've got a lot of businesses that don't have the budget for a quarterback at UofL or a point guard at Kentucky, but they want to be involved in NIL," Wardrip said. "Spalding kind of fills that void."

The collective, right now, is exclusively serving the baseball team. Its roster is largely dominated by local talent, so for Pleasure Ridge Park High School graduate turned Spalding University catcher, it's been a home run.

"I'm honored to be one of the first to get paid at the DIII level," Hunter Strong said. "It gives us an edge on some of the other schools because we have that ability to get some guys money."

The Eagles Nest Collective is working with the university to eventually expand the initiative to most of, if not all, the athletic programs.

"They're doing almost everything that every student athlete at any other level does, so it's good to see those opportunities there," said Clinard. "I hope it's something that the community really gets behind and takes pride in."

To learn more about the collective, click here.

Spalding University has more than 1,700 students enrolled. To learn more about Spalding University, click here.

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