Empowering Student-Athletes: Personal Branding and the Business of Sport with UNC Charlotte Softball

Prep
Oct 23
3 min read

Updated: Dec 4

We recently had the privilege of spending time with the UNC Charlotte Softball team for an empowering session on personal branding and the business of sport. It was an incredible evening filled with valuable insights, authentic conversations, and the kind of energy that only a team of driven student-athletes can bring.

A New Era for 49ers Softball

Before diving into the workshop, we must acknowledge the stunning new Bob Daughtridge Softball Clubhouse. This state-of-the-art facility features a spacious locker room, a dedicated team lounge, advanced training spaces, and comprehensive coaching offices. For recruiting purposes, this facility is an absolute game-changer. Prospective athletes can immediately see that Charlotte is serious about investing in their softball program and providing an environment where champions are made.

Event Breakdown: The Business of Being a Student-Athlete

Our session focused on a critical reality that many young athletes are just beginning to navigate: you are your own brand. Understanding your value is essential in today's landscape.

Defining Your Brand Identity

We explored how to define your brand identity. Understanding what makes you unique is crucial. Communicating that effectively to your audience is equally important. The key is choosing a niche that's authentic and true to who you are. It should resonate naturally rather than forcing a persona that doesn't fit.

The Power of Authenticity in Brand Partnerships

One of the most engaging discussions centered around brand partnerships and the importance of authenticity. We talked about the difference between promoting products you genuinely use versus those you don't. Your audience can always tell the difference.

The bottom line? Emotional connection matters. When partnerships align with who you really are and what you actually believe in, they create stronger, longer-lasting relationships with both brands and your audience.

Building Your Professional Portfolio

We walked through the essentials of creating a social media kit. Understanding how to price your value as your platform grows is vital. The athletes learned about the key metrics brands look for and how to present themselves professionally when opportunities arise.

We also covered deal preparation. This includes the important questions to ask brands, how to evaluate whether a partnership is right for you, and logistical considerations that can make or break a successful collaboration.

Looking Ahead

The UNCC Softball team brought thoughtful questions, genuine curiosity, and the kind of competitive mindset that translates from the field to the business world. With their incredible new facility providing a foundation for excellence and their growing understanding of personal branding, these student-athletes are positioned to succeed both in their sport and beyond.

We're excited to see how these 49ers leverage their platforms, build authentic partnerships, and continue to elevate not just their program, but the standard for what it means to be a student-athlete in the modern era.

A Huge Thank You to Clean Juice!

We need to give a massive shoutout to Clean Juice for sponsoring this event and bringing their amazing products for the athletes to enjoy! Their commitment to fueling athletes with organic, nutritious options perfectly aligned with our mission of empowering student-athletes. The team loved sampling Clean Juice's offerings, and it was the perfect example of a brand partnership that makes sense—healthy products for healthy, high-performing athletes. Thank you, Clean Juice, for investing in the future of these student-athletes!