10/31/2026 11:00:00 AM | Athletics Department
Bear Nation,
With the House settlement now in effect, colleges and universities across the country have entered a new era of intercollegiate athletics. Institutions can now share revenue directly with scholar-athletes, creating new opportunities to recruit, retain, and support the young men and women who proudly represent their universities in competition, in the classroom, and throughout their communities.
At Mercer, we view this moment as both a challenge and an opportunity. Our commitment remains unchanged: providing Mercer scholar-athletes with the resources they need to compete for championships while continuing to excel academically and serve as ambassadors for our university.
To position Mercer Athletics for long-term success in this evolving landscape, the Mercer Athletic Foundation is expanding its efforts to provide critical support for our scholar-athletes and athletic programs with the launch of the New Heights Fund - a revenue-sharing initiative within the Mercer Athletic Foundation created to strengthen our department's ability to recruit, retain and develop elite scholar-athletes. Through the generosity of Bear Nation, Mercer continues to invest in the people and programs that make our athletics department special.
As collegiate athletics continues to change, private support through the Mercer Athletic Foundation has never been more important. Contributions from loyal alumni, fans, parents, and friends help create opportunities that strengthen our programs and ensure Mercer remains competitive on both the conference and national stages.
Your continued investment in Mercer Athletics is essential to our future success. Every gift, regardless of size, directly impacts our ability to recruit, develop, and retain outstanding scholar-athletes while providing a first-class experience across all of our programs.
While institutional support remains vital, we know the future of college athletics will increasingly depend on strong partnerships and community engagement. Mercer is fortunate to have an incredible network of alumni, supporters, and local businesses that believe in our mission and our scholar-athletes.
In addition to institutional support, scholar-athletes may also pursue approved third-party Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. These partnerships allow scholar-athletes to build their personal brands while creating meaningful connections with businesses and organizations throughout Middle Georgia and beyond.
How Businesses Can Get Involved
The business community plays a critical role in supporting the future of Mercer Athletics and providing opportunities for our scholar-athletes. We invite businesses to partner with Mercer Athletics through several avenues:
Corporate Partnership
Through Mercer Athletics sponsorship opportunities, businesses can align their brands with one of the most visible and respected institutions in Middle Georgia. Corporate partners receive access to a variety of marketing platforms, including gameday visibility, digital content, community engagement initiatives, and multimedia assets.
Corporate Philanthropic Support
Businesses can support Mercer Athletics and the Mercer Athletic Foundation through philanthropic investments that directly impact scholar-athlete success. Corporate donors may also receive enhanced engagement opportunities, including hospitality experiences, networking events, and recognition within Mercer Athletics.
Scholar-Athlete Partnerships
Businesses can connect directly with Mercer scholar-athletes through approved third-party NIL opportunities. These partnerships can include appearances, social media campaigns, community initiatives, endorsements, and other authentic business relationships that create value for both the company and the scholar-athlete.
The changing landscape of college athletics presents tremendous opportunities for institutions that embrace innovation, collaboration, and community support. Mercer Athletics is committed to building a sustainable model that allows our scholar-athletes and programs to thrive for years to come.
We invite you to join us in shaping the future of Mercer Athletics. Whether through annual giving, corporate partnership opportunities, NIL engagement, or support of the Mercer Athletic Foundation, your investment makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our scholar-athletes and the success of our programs.
Bear Nation has always been our greatest strength. Thank you for your passion, your loyalty, and your commitment to Mercer Athletics. Together, we will continue to create championship experiences and provide transformational opportunities for scholar-athletes who proudly wear the Orange & Black.
Go Bears!
Brian Gerrity, Mercer University Director of Athletics
"Our ability to offer a comprehensive experience, including NIL and revenue-sharing opportunities, is an important factor in attracting and retaining the student-athletes who will represent Mercer."
Bobby Kummer, Executive Director of Mercer Athletic Foundation
"NIL and revenue sharing are now essential components of college athletics. For Mercer Athletics, providing these opportunities is critical to supporting our student-athletes and remaining competitive in recruiting."
New Heights Fund Giving Form
With the House settlement now in effect, colleges and universities across the country have entered a new era of intercollegiate athletics. Institutions can now share revenue directly with scholar-athletes, creating new opportunities to recruit, retain, and support the young men and women who proudly represent their universities in competition, in the classroom, and throughout their communities.
At Mercer, we view this moment as both a challenge and an opportunity. Our commitment remains unchanged: providing Mercer scholar-athletes with the resources they need to compete for championships while continuing to excel academically and serve as ambassadors for our university.
To position Mercer Athletics for long-term success in this evolving landscape, the Mercer Athletic Foundation is expanding its efforts to provide critical support for our scholar-athletes and athletic programs with the launch of the New Heights Fund - a revenue-sharing initiative within the Mercer Athletic Foundation created to strengthen our department's ability to recruit, retain and develop elite scholar-athletes. Through the generosity of Bear Nation, Mercer continues to invest in the people and programs that make our athletics department special.
As collegiate athletics continues to change, private support through the Mercer Athletic Foundation has never been more important. Contributions from loyal alumni, fans, parents, and friends help create opportunities that strengthen our programs and ensure Mercer remains competitive on both the conference and national stages.
Your continued investment in Mercer Athletics is essential to our future success. Every gift, regardless of size, directly impacts our ability to recruit, develop, and retain outstanding scholar-athletes while providing a first-class experience across all of our programs.
While institutional support remains vital, we know the future of college athletics will increasingly depend on strong partnerships and community engagement. Mercer is fortunate to have an incredible network of alumni, supporters, and local businesses that believe in our mission and our scholar-athletes.
In addition to institutional support, scholar-athletes may also pursue approved third-party Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. These partnerships allow scholar-athletes to build their personal brands while creating meaningful connections with businesses and organizations throughout Middle Georgia and beyond.
How Businesses Can Get Involved
The business community plays a critical role in supporting the future of Mercer Athletics and providing opportunities for our scholar-athletes. We invite businesses to partner with Mercer Athletics through several avenues:
Corporate Partnership
Through Mercer Athletics sponsorship opportunities, businesses can align their brands with one of the most visible and respected institutions in Middle Georgia. Corporate partners receive access to a variety of marketing platforms, including gameday visibility, digital content, community engagement initiatives, and multimedia assets.
Corporate Philanthropic Support
Businesses can support Mercer Athletics and the Mercer Athletic Foundation through philanthropic investments that directly impact scholar-athlete success. Corporate donors may also receive enhanced engagement opportunities, including hospitality experiences, networking events, and recognition within Mercer Athletics.
Scholar-Athlete Partnerships
Businesses can connect directly with Mercer scholar-athletes through approved third-party NIL opportunities. These partnerships can include appearances, social media campaigns, community initiatives, endorsements, and other authentic business relationships that create value for both the company and the scholar-athlete.
The changing landscape of college athletics presents tremendous opportunities for institutions that embrace innovation, collaboration, and community support. Mercer Athletics is committed to building a sustainable model that allows our scholar-athletes and programs to thrive for years to come.
We invite you to join us in shaping the future of Mercer Athletics. Whether through annual giving, corporate partnership opportunities, NIL engagement, or support of the Mercer Athletic Foundation, your investment makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our scholar-athletes and the success of our programs.
Bear Nation has always been our greatest strength. Thank you for your passion, your loyalty, and your commitment to Mercer Athletics. Together, we will continue to create championship experiences and provide transformational opportunities for scholar-athletes who proudly wear the Orange & Black.
Go Bears!
Brian Gerrity, Mercer University Director of Athletics
"Our ability to offer a comprehensive experience, including NIL and revenue-sharing opportunities, is an important factor in attracting and retaining the student-athletes who will represent Mercer."
Bobby Kummer, Executive Director of Mercer Athletic Foundation
"NIL and revenue sharing are now essential components of college athletics. For Mercer Athletics, providing these opportunities is critical to supporting our student-athletes and remaining competitive in recruiting."
New Heights Fund Giving Form
Monday, October 26
Sunday, October 18
Sunday, October 18
Sunday, October 18
