TicketsIn partnership with Hoxworth Blood Center, Cincinnati student-athletes did a two-part activation series supporting UC's annual blood drive. Thirteen Bearcats across the department used their platforms not just to promote an event, but to spotlight a cause that saves lives.
Football defensive lineman Marquaze Parker and defensive back Antwan Peek Jr. spent time meeting fans, signing autographs, and using their visibility to drive attendance. Their presence transformed a routine blood drive into a community moment.
Eleven additional student-athletes joined a coordinated social media campaign urging students and community members to roll up their sleeves. The roster reflected the breadth of the department:
• Sophie Curtis and Libby Michel (Swimming and Diving)
• Gabrielle Guenther (Tennis)
• Isaac Schachleiter, Gwen Stare, Jocelyn Willis, and Juliette Laracuente-Huebner (Track & Field)
• Kayla Hostetler (Volleyball)
• Reagan Jackson (Women's Basketball)
Each athlete brought their own audience, voice and influence, all aligned toward a singular, life-saving mission.
At its core, this activation was about blood donation, a critical need for hospital operations and patient care across our region. It was also about something deeper: allowing student-athletes to step beyond their jerseys and connect with the student body and broader community as the people they truly are.
This is NIL at its best.
As Cincinnati Athletics continues to navigate and expand within the NIL landscape, we remain committed to what matters most: community, connection, and giving back to the neighbors and organizations that support the athletics community.
By prioritizing our student-athletes, our student body, and the Greater Cincinnati community, we're proving that Name, Image, and Likeness isn't just about opportunity, it's about impact.