LAKE CHARLES – McNeese Athletics will hold its first-ever NIL summit titled "Trailblaze Your Brand: NIL and Life Skills Summit" on Tuesday, January 7 from 8:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. at McNeese's Legacy Center.
 
As the first institution in the Southland Conference to host a summit of this kind, McNeese continues to lead the way in student-athlete development. The summit will feature a series of workshops and sessions covering essential topics such as:
 
• Personal Branding: Strategies for enhancing individual brands to increase NIL opportunities.
• Financial Literacy: Tools to manage and grow earnings effectively.
• Time Management: Balancing athletic, academic, and personal responsibilities.
• Internship Opportunities: Connecting student-athletes with local businesses for career growth.
• Campus Resources: Informative sessions with on-campus entities highlighting available support services.
 
The event will conclude with a Business Connection Fair, where student-athletes can network directly with local businesses and organizations. Companies will have the opportunity to pitch NIL deals, internships, and permanent job placement opportunities to McNeese student-athletes.
 
Business registration is now open. To secure your spot at the Business Connection Fair, register at tinyurl.com/PokeSummit.
 
"This summit reflects  the Athletic Department's commitment to supporting our student-athletes in every aspect of their McNeese journey," said Keifer Ackley, Assistant AD for NIL & Student-Athlete Development. "We are dedicated to preparing them not only to succeed in sports but also to thrive academically, professionally, and personally."
 
The NIL & Life Skills Summit underscores McNeese's proactive approach to student-athlete empowerment, ensuring they have the resources, knowledge, and connections to succeed on and off the field/court.
 
For more information on the summit, please email Keifer Ackley at kackley5@mcneese.edu.