National Ataxia Foundation Hosts NIL Campaign to Support Rare Disease

College athletes from Miami, Minnesota, Oklahoma State and Stanford raise awareness for Ataxia

While most NIL partnerships are centered around talent promoting a brand or consumer product, four student-athletes across the country have instead used their platforms to increase awareness and help raise funds for a rare disease.

The National Ataxia Foundation partnered this semester with Mya Hooten (University of Minnesota Gymnastics, Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State Basketball), Elise Evans (Stanford Soccer) and J.D. Urso (University of Miami Baseball) to support research and fundraising efforts for the rare neurodegenerative disease.

Ataxia affects one’s balance, movement, and fine motor skills, and often results in death. Although treatments are being developed, there is currently no cure.

The NAF's campaign and athlete partnerships were coordinated by NIL platform Icon Source.

“The opportunity to partner with the National Ataxia Foundation is by far the most rewarding NIL relationship I have had," Urso shared. "My values aligned perfectly with the Foundation’s and to be able to leverage my platform to try to find a cure for Ataxia trumps any personal achievement or accolade I have ever received in the game of baseball."

Urso was the first athlete that the National Ataxia Foundation collaborated with and outside of his social media support, the Hurricanes' infielder donated proceeds from a basketball tournament he and his classmates hosted to the NAF.

When partnering with Minnesota gymnastics star Hooten, the Minneapolis-based National Ataxia Foundation didn't have to look far to find an athlete who represented their mission, values and community.

“I wanted to partner with NAF because it is so amazing what they are doing," Hooten said. "They want to help people that are living with this rare condition, out of the kindness of their hearts, which means way more. I’ve been doing gymnastics basically for my whole life, it focuses on physical strength and coordination, and that is what people struggle with when they have Ataxia. So it meant a lot to partner with them, and to help this organization as much as possible with donations to help find a cure. Support NAF and make a lasting impact on the lives of those affected by Ataxia."

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“At the National Ataxia Foundation our goal is to represent everyone that is affected by Ataxia," added Jon Wegman, National Ataxia Foundation Development Manager. "Being a rare disease, awareness is a vital component of helping people to understand what Ataxia is and how they can help. Our NIL effort was aimed at doing just that. By partnering with successful, caring, mission driven athletes we accomplished those goals. Through the incredible content these athletes created we were able to reach thousands of new supporters of our vision, which is a world without Ataxia."

This NIL campaign won't the best last from the NAF, who has plans to expand their athlete roster in 2024.