Triumph NIL ready to assist Hokie student-athletes

Kevin Jones headlines NIL collective

[Blacksburg, VA, April 14, 2022] Triumph NIL today launched as a start-up sports marketing collective, aligned with the Virginia Tech athletic department, to develop custom ‘Name, Image, Likeness’ (NIL) partnerships for Virginia Tech student-athletes with members of the business community, donors and fans. Featuring programs that meet all NCAA compliance and State legal criteria, Triumph will maximize individual and group earning potential, and advance recruiting and retention efforts of Virginia Tech athletic programs.

The eclectic group boasts former Virginia Tech football standouts, deep connections within the Southwest Virginia business community, and extensive sports marketing experience. Triumph founding partners are: Jim Cowan, Joey Harrington, Doug Hicks, Brenden Hill and Kevin Jones.

“Virginia Tech needs a dynamic group in the NIL space that will work within the school’s vision to recruit, retain and reward their valuable student-athletes,” said Jones, Triumph partner and former Tech standout running back. “With Triumph, an experienced, connected and compliant team is now available to engage those student-athletes, companies and individual supporters for business purposes. 

“The expansive backgrounds of our partners will pave the way for compelling programs benefiting all involved. Our group is augmented by my wife Robyn, a member of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce, a former class president at Virginia Tech and the First Lady of Triumph NIL.”

Triumph is ideally positioned to assist Virginia Tech student-athletes navigate the new and dynamic NIL landscape, to direct corporate clients in identifying specific athletes and building compelling campaigns that drive real results, and to offer platforms for donors and fans to support their favorite Hokie athletes, future, current and former.

Triumph will be leveraging Virginia Tech’s Hokie Exchange, powered by INFLCR — a tech interface for Triumph’s staff to utilize to find and communicate with VT student-athletes in their personal INFLCR app. Using Hokie Exchange, Triumph can propose and process NIL payments to VT student-athletes, with automatic reporting on their behalf for both compliance and IRS purposes.

“It’s wonderful to see clients like Virginia Tech prepared for a moment like this by having their own local (Hokie) Exchange,” said INFLCR Founder Jim Cavale. “Triumph is already registered for Hokie Exchange, where they can use our technology to message, transact and report NIL opportunities with VT student-athletes.”

Additional Quotes

Jim Cowan, Triumph NIL partner

“As a long-time Blacksburg resident, I’ve seen the relationship between our business community and Virginia Tech athletics drive the area’s economic growth. I’ve , also, become a passionate Hokies fan along the way – but it’s hard not to be when you can hear the crowd from your house on game day!” 

Joey Harrington, Triumph NIL partner

“Coming to Virginia Tech remains one of the most surreal moments of my life. I have so much love and passion for the university and, especially, for its athletic programs. Helping Virginia Tech athletes make the most of their NIL is the best way I can contribute to those teams and make a meaningful difference for the individual athletes.”

Doug Hicks, Triumph NIL partner

“Blacksburg, VA is among my favorite places on earth. Since moving to town in 1987, I've seen Virginia Tech athletics serve as an economic engine Southwest Virginia. It's an honor to, in some small way, be able to contribute to the continued growth of the school and community for all who say, 'This is home.'"

Brenden Hill, Triumph NIL partner

“As a Virginia Tech alum and former student-athlete, it is important to me that my alma mater have a voice in the NIL space. We have a passionate fan base and a tradition of excellence that will help our university succeed in creating opportunities for future, current, and former student-athletes. I want Triumph to lead the way in developing innovative and compliant programs in this space.”

About Triumph NIL

Triumph NIL is a unique and experienced sports marketing agency, specializing in building custom ‘Name, Image, Likeness’ (NIL) partnerships for Virginia Tech student-athletes with members of the business community, donors and fans.  Triumph is aligned with the Virginia Tech Athletic Department, studied in Virginia State NIL law, familiar with NCAA compliance regulations, and experienced in the development of dynamic marketing partnership opportunities. More information may be found at triumphnil.com. 

###