It may be the off-season, but Lumberjacks sports fans can get in the game this summer with a contribution to the Timber Jacks. Donations help the group connect student-athletes with community groups that make a difference in Flagstaff and beyond.
Everybody says that summer is the best season, but how can that be true, when college sports is in a lull?
Sure, your favorite student-athletes may be off the field right now. But that doesn't mean they're not doing good elsewhere. And you can help, with a donation to the Timber Jacks: https://timberjacksgroup.com
Could your contribution help Lumberjack athletes make a difference with Arizona nonprofits this summer?
The Northern Arizona University Lumberjack football team will play their opener on August 31 at home versus Lincoln University. In the meantime, with their slower schedule, some student-athletes use the time to monetize their individual brands through engaging in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) transaction campaigns. This practice is not unusual in NCAA sports.
These campaigns, organized through the NAU athletics department’s Lumberjack Exchange portal, connect athletes with local businesses for promotions. But the portal is not designed in a way that connects nonprofits, which can benefit significantly from association with popular athletes. And these groups often prioritize providing community goods and services ahead of marketing campaigns.
College athletes can draw attention to beneficial causes and organizations in the community, due to their recognition and status. And your donation to the Timber Jacks can help facilitate NIL transactions for nonprofits in Flagstaff and surrounding parts of Arizona. Supporting the organization through NIL contributions helps to highlight college athletes who can positively influence youth and other community members.
Athletes have long been perceived as role models, according to a recent report from Psychology Today, and student-athletes are no exception. The ability to dribble or throw a ball doesn’t make an athlete a hero. Highlighting their dedication and perseverance, however, as they improve and master skills, can inspire others to do the same in athletics and more.
Additionally, good athletic role models present themselves realistically, devote time and effort to community activities, and project empathy, according to the article. Donations to the Timber Jacks help to identify Lumberjack athletes who possess these qualities, and use their reputations to advance positive causes in the Flagstaff area.
A member of the Big Sky Conference, NAU has produced many student-athletes worthy of recognition as community role models. The school supports 15 NCAA Division I sports programs, with its football team finishing fourth in the conference for the 2023-2024 year. Additionally, the College Sports Communicators organization has recognized many Lumberjacks as Academic All-American scholar-athletes over the years.
If you'd like to make a donation or learn more about the organization, visit https://timberjacksgroup.com
