In response to the increasing role of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals within college sports, Central Connecticut State Athletics recently announced a partnership with NIL merchandise company Influxer to open an online store to benefit Blue Devil student-athletes.
The store offers a wide range of shirts and sweatshirts bearing CCSU logos and the name and number of the respective student-athlete. The store also features a gold pendant with a given athlete’s number.
The website, influxermerch.com, says that the “majority of proceeds go to the student-athletes.”
Central men’s basketball player Joe Ostrowsky said the opportunity is highly beneficial not only for the Blue Devils, but for fans, friends and family of the athletes.
“It’s exciting to have the Influxer website,” Ostrowsky said. “Our friends, family and fans can support us not only with a portion of the sales going back to us, but also on gameday and throughout the community.”
With the grueling schedule of a student-athlete, it is nearly impossible for many to hold a part-time job to make money during the year. Central women’s soccer player Gabby Niman said the Influxer store is a great way to alleviate some of the financial stress.
“As a student-athlete, I have a lot of responsibilities on and off the field,” Niman said. “The NIL store purchases allow student-athletes extra funds to cover expenses while building a brand for themselves.”
Blue Devil baseball player Gabe Pitts, who was featured on Influxer’s Instagram page as a trending athlete for the week of Oct. 6, said the store has given student-athletes an ideal avenue to benefit from the new NIL rules, while keeping it as easy as possible.
“It’s a pretty cool opportunity, as all of us have worked extremely hard,” Pitts said. “Many of my friends and family have already bought merch, and when I see them wearing it at games, that’s going to be awesome.”
Pitts urged any athlete who has not yet taken advantage of the store to do so.
“I’ve personally had a lot of fun and have found success with this NIL store,” he said. “I encourage all of the athletes here at CCSU to sign up.”
Central softball player Adriana Manory said she sees the opportunity as a way to bring more recognition to not only the athletes, but the school and the programs as well.
“To me, NIL is an opportunity to show others the kind of person you are,” Manory said. “For a smaller Division I school like Central, it’s an amazing opportunity to show how talented of a program we are.”
In addition to the deal inked with Influxer, the Central men’s basketball has found themselves as the benefactors of another NIL opportunity as well.
A group of CCSU alumni and basketball fans formed an NIL group known as the Hard Hittin’ Collective, which markets the team and contributes directly to fundraising for the players.
Ostrowsky said the team has always felt the support and is very thankful for the community’s efforts.
“Our team has always felt tremendous support from the alumni and the community,” he said. “We are very thankful.”
NIL offers student-athletes a big-picture way to have a successful athletic career, both on and off the field.
“The NIL store has allowed me to take control of my athletic career in a way that benefits me financially and personally,” Niman said.
