GREENVILLE, N.C. – The collegiate athletics landscape is currently changing at a dramatic rate. East Carolina student-athletes - thanks to the SABRE (Student-Athlete Brand Resource Education) program - are certainly well positioned to capitalize on opportunities related to the emerging NIL (name, image and likeness) legislation which had its one-year anniversary on July 1, 2022.
ECU Athletics and its NIL Taskforce continues to ensure that student-athletes are receiving educational initiatives and resources involving this space. The department recently hosted a summer SABRE event which was designed for the newest student-athletes from the football, men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball and volleyball programs.
The workshop was set up convention style and included education regarding financial literacy, social media, brand management and entrepreneurship. Former East Carolina volleyball standout Bri Wood, who was recently hired as Director of Student-Athlete Development and Life Skills, oversaw the event.
Featured speakers included:
- Glenn Marsh (Towne Bank)
- Dr. Dennis Barber (Interim Director of Miller School)
- Dr. Michael Harris (Interim Dean of College of Business)
- Corey Pulido (Miller School Professor)
- Alexis Alavarez (ECU alumnus and current employee at Virginia Tech)
Presenters discussed such topics as managing a budget and savings, building credit, understanding credit scores and making smart financial decisions as well as social media awareness, profile branding and engagement. Student-athletes left the event with budget sheets and resource guides as well as new knowledge and skills.
SABRE events partner with the ECU Miller School for Entrepreneurship and Towne Bank and involve many facets of the athletics department. Staff from compliance, marketing, media relations, Pirate Creative, academics and various campus partners serve on the East Carolina NIL Taskforce which assists in preparing these educational seminars to equip student-athletes with the required skills necessary for NIL opportunities and/or their careers after graduation.
What They Are Saying About SABRE
"The Miller School of Entrepreneurship gladly supports students from across campus and views all students as nascent entrepreneurs. Student-athletes benefit from an entrepreneurial mindset and connecting with athletics excites our faculty. We strive to build curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular programs to support student entrepreneurs. The new Isley Innovation Hub launches in the fall of 2022 and welcomes student-athletes, student entrepreneurs and curious students to become more involved with the Miller School." - Dennis Barber III, PhD (Acting Director, Miller School of Entrepreneurship)
"This SABRE event not only gave the incoming student-athletes an opportunity to learn about NIL education, but also about life skills they need for their futures after college. I learn something new each time I attend our SABRE program and encourage athletes to become aware of these skills they will use in life." – Bri Wood (Director of Student-Athlete Development and Life Skills)
"During the event, I learned how to bring a group of people who I know nothing about to come together on a common idea and goal to pitch a business idea." - Fletcher Marshall (East Carolina football student-athlete)
"The SABRE workshop really taught me how to take control of my own image and market myself not only for a NIL deal but also in the real world. It was very educational for starting a business which is something I didn't know I would be interested in until now." – Carlia Northcross (East Carolina volleyball student-athlete)
"During the SABRE event, I met new people and created a small bond with my group. The SABRE event not only connected me to new people, but also made me acknowledge how a little business idea can take you far if you are dedicated and stay consistent." – Samora Watson (East Carolina women's basketball student-athlete)
