Incoming Huskers Complete First Husker Advantage Series

As the first 5-week summer session came to a close last week, so too did the first rendition of the #NILbraska Husker Advantage series for Husker student-athletes. A total of 58 first-year Huskers from 11 different sports were a part of the first wave of Huskers to attend the education based programming that provides Husker student-athletes an introduction to tools and resources meant to maximize their overall student-athlete experience with regards to NIL, entrepreneurship, and career development both during their time at Nebraska and well beyond life after sports.

The five session Husker Advantage program began with an orientation from the Nebraska Life Skills staff where student-athletes were educated on the resources and assistance available through the Life Skills program. Attendees were given an overview of how working with the Life Skills team can enhance their career marketability through the 4-year tiered development program, individual career development meetings, community outreach opportunities, and leadership development opportunities. Following the orientation, an activity led by Assistant Director of Life Skills, Kate Frazier, asked attendees to think into the future and ask themselves what they wanted their Husker legacy to be and required them to write out personal, professional, and academic goals.

Husker Advantage attendees explored their strengths during the second session of the series. All attendees were required to take the CliftonStrengths assessment which provided them with their top 5 strengths from a list of 34 themes. The purpose for this assessment was to assist attendees in figuring out things they are already doing well and how leveraging their strengths can maximize their potential during their collegiate experience. Tim Hodges, Executive Director of the Clifton Strengths Institute in UNL's College of Business, was the featured guest speaker and helped attendees learn more about what their top 5 strengths mean. Hodges also provided information on the Clifton Strengths Institute on campus, the only on-campus institute of its kind across the nation, and programs available through the institute like the Clifton Builders Program. 

Week three of the Husker Advantage series was all about building a personal brand and how to communicate that brand on various social media platforms. Huskers Creative and Emerging Media Director, Nick Burkhardt, began the session by outlining internal resources to assist student-athletes as they build their brand on social media including how to access practice and game photos, engaging with fans, and how to increase their following. Burkhardt was followed by Opendorse Senior Account Manager, Jeff Harris, who spoke to the group about the Ready Now partnership between Huskers Athletics and Opendorse. Attendees learned about the various platforms featured on Opendorse including the deals, monitor, social, and ready platforms. Harris also keyed on how to diversify their accounts to show who they are beyond their sport and what is important to them.

"I am thankful to be involved in the Husker Advantage program to help educate Husker athletes around NIL and the numerous products they have at their disposal through Nebraska's partnership with Opendorse. It's great to see Nebraska's dedication and passion for equipping all of their athletes with the tools that will not only set them up for success around NIL while they are in school, but well beyond their time at Nebraska." said Harris.

Communication and networking were the focus of week four, specifically, communicating a personal brand in every day conversations. Jessica Coody of the Huskers Radio Network joined the session and discussed with the group the importance of having quality interactions with the media. Coody keyed in on things to consider when being in the spotlight, whether during a taped interview, an article being written, or a post-game press conference. She also provided examples of former professional athletes who have now found success in the broadcasting industry, explaining that a solid reputation with the media could lead to future professional opportunities.

Husker Wrestling legend and 2021 Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Jordan Burroughs, also stopped by the fourth session to share his communication strategy with Husker Advantage attendees. Burroughs discussed some tips and tricks that have helped him be a successful communicator during his very decorated wrestling career on social media and in-person interactions. Burroughs also explained the expectations and responsibility of representing Nebraska in everyday situations. Following Burroughs were Joe Petsick and Sam Nelson from the UNL Center for Entrepreneurship who provided information on the #NILbraska Accelerate program 8 week mini courses being offered this year through the College of Business. All students at the university will have the option to take these 8 week mini courses featuring topics such as financial literacy, entrepreneurship, building a brand, and how to pitch yourself and your ideas. Petsick and Nelson also led the group in a communication exercise requiring each individual to connect with someone in the group who they had never interacted with before to practice communicating and more importantly, listening to what others have to say.

Petsick shared his thoughts on the Husker Advantage and Husker Accelerate partnership stating, "The Husker Advantage program is the launchpad for student athletes to start their journey in learning how to build a business around themselves to take advantage of opportunities offered by NIL. The Advantage program was created in synchronization with Accelerate, the in-depth platform focused on curriculum and programming provided through the College of Business and other campus resources that focuses on all aspects of entrepreneurship, branding, and business support. Accelerate continues to drive the separation between Nebraska and other programs, as we are providing more tools and resources to educate and equip student athletes to be the most successful with their NIL and entrepreneurial endeavors. Quite simply, there is no place like Nebraska when it comes to setting up student athletes for success." 

The final session concentrated on financial literacy and NIL policy, and featured guest speakers Ron Nebbia and Katie Byrd from Lutz as well as Jonathan Bateman from the Nebraska Athletics Compliance office. Nebbia and Byrd opened the discussion on financial literacy with the group and covered important financial topics like budgeting, saving, investing, taxes, and building credit. Lutz and Nebraska Athletics will continue working together to provide group and individualized financial education for all Husker student-athletes who are in need of financial advice. Bateman then discussed the Nebraska Athletics NIL Policy with the Husker Advantage attendees and reiterated that the compliance office is here to help student-athletes maintain eligibility and win championships. With the NIL landscape likely to evolve with each passing day, Bateman encouraged open communication and welcomed any and all questions about NIL policy.

Husker Advantage will continue this week with a new group of first-year student-athletes who will cover the same topics. All returning student-athletes will also go through the Husker Advantage programming when they return to campus for the fall semester. For questions about the Husker Advantage program, contact Assistant Director of Life Skills, Tom Lemke.

Student-Athlete Testimonials:
"The Husker Advantage program was very beneficial for me as I begin my time at Nebraska. It's not often you get an opportunity to meet with people who are specialists in their field who are trying to help you succeed, and every speaker we heard from fit that description." Maggie Altman, Women's Soccer

"I found the Husker Advantage program to be informative and useful as I transition into Nebraska. The programming provided me with tools to maximize my strengths and potential, whether that be in the community, in my future career, or NIL earning opportunities." Shawn Hardy II, Football

"The topics weren't just meant to be helpful right now, but they also will be helpful for life after college. It was definitely an advantage to hear this information right away as I begin my college experience." Abbey Schwarz, Women's Soccer