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V O L . X X X I I N O. X I V J U N E 2 9 , 2 0 2 6 12 H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N / P RO F E S S I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T F O C U S LEARN MORE about what our Higher Education Team can do for you. dwmlaw.com | 800.727.1941 Drummond Woodsum's team of experienced and dedicated lawyers partner with postsecondary institutions in a variety of capacities. We take great pride in assisting clients through the ever-changing legal landscape and in developing high-quality, cost-effective solutions. Our Team includes experts across all higher education authorities, including the ADA and Section 504, Title IX, and other civil rights laws. We investigate and resolve the most sensitive cases, represent colleges and universities in all litigation and administrative forums, and can fulfill the full range of your institution's legal needs. Ef fective Solutions for Colleges and Universities a new Black Bear Student-Athlete Experience Fund. UMaine has also paid $1,000 each to about a dozen athletes to use at their discretion for scholarships, travel, meals and other expenses, according to Jude Killy, the school's director of athletics. Killy underscores that the univer- sity is not using tuition dollars or state funding for the effort, a point he says makes the program more appeal- ing for athletes who want to stay in Maine rather than chase bigger offers out of state, even without the deep pockets of larger programs. "If you're coming to Maine to get rich, don't come here. We're not going to get in a bidding war with anybody," he says. "We're going to be sensible about what we're doing. If you're in it for the transaction and for the higher dollar value, then you probably don't fit our culture." While Greene calls $1,000 per player "unbelievably non-competi- tive," he notes that booster-funded fundraising groups known as collec- tive – which started sprouting up in 2022 – can play a role in raising funds for sports such as ice hockey. Building depth at UNE Despite being barred from offering athletic scholarships or paying ath- letes directly like Division I heavy- weights, Division III schools like the University of New England are helping student-athletes build their personal brands. e Biddeford-based school is home to 21 varsity teams. "Our goal is to provide student- athletes with the best and most com- prehensive experience possible, and opportunities related to NIL are an important part of that commitment," says Heather Davis, the school's director of athletics. To support those efforts, UNE is updating its NIL policy and educa- tional materials for student-athletes while exploring partnerships with online platforms known as third-party marketplaces. ey allow student-ath- letes to monetize their brand through officially licensed, personalized mer- chandise such as UNE-branded team apparel with their name and number. Davis notes that even modest earnings from endorsements and related activities can have an outsized impact for recipients, helping defray the cost of textbooks, travel home during school breaks, professional » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E University of Maine ice hockey player Lulu Rucinski, who hails from Orono, Minn., sells I [heart] Orono merch to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F P L I A B L E M A R K E T I N G

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