IU NIL Collective Hoosiers Connect Launches Fundraiser To Support Curt Cignetti

Hoosiers Connect announced a fundraising campaign called 'Back the Rock,' aimed at improving Indiana football's funding for name, image and likeness deals.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – New Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti's ability to recruit the transfer portal will be crucial heading into his first season, and he's already receiving support.

Hoosiers Connect, an official NIL collective of Indiana Athletics, announced Thursday a fundraising campaign called 'Back the Rock.' An anonymous donor has pledged $1 million in matching funds for all donations made to Hoosiers Connect and Hoosiers For Good through the end of the year.

Indiana announced the hiring of Cignetti on Thursday, who comes to Indiana after a successful tenure at James Madison. Cignetti, 62, has a 52-9 record at James Madison, including a 31-4 run in conference play across five seasons.

“I am excited to lead this program forward and change the culture, mindset, and expectation level of Hoosier football,” Cignetti said. “I want to thank Director of Athletics Scott Dolson and President Pam Whitten, and I look forward to working with both in building something special at IU. Both share my vision and belief that big things are ahead for the IU program.”

Here's the full press release from Hoosiers Connect:

Hoosiers Connect, the Official NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) Collective of IU Athletics, is excited to announce a new ‘Back the Rock’ fundraising campaign following the recent announcement of Coach Cignetti as Indiana University Football new head coach. Hoosiers Connect is committed to supporting Coach Cignetti with NIL resources as he takes on his new role and the launch of the ‘Back the Rock’ campaign is the first of many steps to mark this commitment.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Cignetti to the Hoosier family and can’t wait to pack the rock with him and the Hoosiers next season,” said Tyler Harris, Executive Director of Hoosiers Connect. “Hoosiers Connect is committed to ensuring that IU’s Football program has the NIL opportunities it needs to be successful.”

Hoosiers Connect gives donors the option to specify which of IU’s 24 Division I sports their donation impacts. The ‘Back the Rock’ campaign will focus on soliciting donations specifically earmarked to IU’s Football program. This campaign comes on the heels of Hoosiers Connect’s launch of ‘In for Indiana’ and successful day of giving on November 14 which resulted in nearly $500,000 raised in 24 hours.

On November 14, Hoosiers Connect also announced an anonymous donor’s pledge to match $1 million in funds for all donations made to Hoosiers Connect and Hoosiers For Good through the end of the year. Donations made during the ‘Back the Rock’ campaign will be included in the matching funds committed on November 14.

“A successful and robust NIL program is essential for the success for all athletic programs at IU, including IU Football,” said Harris. “We hope this new campaign will show a widespread outpouring of support for Coach Cignetti and our Football athletes.”

For more information about the ‘Back the Rock’ campaign and to donate, visit inforindiana.com.

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• IU HIRES CURT CIGNETTI: Curt Cignetti, who has coached James Madison to an 11-1 record this year, will replace Tom Allen as the next head football coach at Indiana University. CLICK HERE