Penguin Collective Formed to Benefit YSU Student-Athletes
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – HD Davis CPAs and Friedman & Rummell Co. LPA on Wednesday announced the formation of The Penguin Collective, which will help student-athletes at Youngstown State University build their personal brands.
The collective, consisting of area accounting and legal professionals, will provide student-athletes with opportunities to monetize endorsements using their name, image and likeness. It will facilitate community and business partnerships, amplify financial literacy and create financial equity for student-athletes.
“I am excited to help advance opportunities for athletes that they otherwise may not have found without an NIL [name, image and likeness] collective,” said Tracie Schmidt, Penguin Collective co-founder and Friedman & Rummell Co. partner. “My hope is that with the support of our community and the professionals that have come together to make The Penguin Collective a reality, student-athletes will now have resources available to them that will enhance their athletic careers.”
The Penguin Collective will provide an opportunity for fans, boosters and donors to earmark contributions for specific student-athletes, departments and teams.
“I’m truly grateful to be a part of something that is going to help student-athletes develop their name, image and likeness, along with creating relationships with different businesses and people in the community,” said CJ Hilbert, co-founder of The Penguin Collective and staff accountant of CFO Services at HD Davis CPAs.
Contributions can be made out to The Penguin Collective and mailed to: HD Davis CPAs LLC, ℅: Tim Petrey, CPA, CGMA, 4308 Belmont Ave., Suite 1, Youngstown, OH 44505.
In June 2021, Gov. Mike DeWine signed an executive order to allow student-athletes enrolled in Ohio colleges and universities to earn compensation from their name, image and likeness.
Pictured at top: Tracie Schmidt, The Penguin Collective co-founder and Friedman & Rummell Co. partner, and CJ Hilbert, co-founder of The Penguin Collective and staff accountant of CFO Services at HD Davis CPAs.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
