Warrensburg, Mo. and Lincoln, Neb. – The Central Stable Collective, the Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) collective supporting University of Central Missouri student-athletes, launched its operations to provide resources and financial opportunities for the Mules & Jennies on Wednesday, April 2.
Endorsed by UCM Athletics, the Central Stable Collective is among the first NIL collectives in the country supporting athletes from an NCAA Division II institution. More information on the Central Stable can be found at www.thecentralstable.com, including how to get involved.
The Central Stable Collective is led by distinguished professionals with deep ties to the University of Central Missouri. Dr. Daria Byrne, a two-time All-American and UCM Hall of Fame athlete, brings extensive experience in healthcare IT leadership and academia. Evan Harris upholds his family’s automotive legacy as the owner of Cliff Harris Auto Group while actively supporting UCM athletics and the local community. David Neuenschwander, an entrepreneur and former UCM football player, remains a champion for the university’s athletic programs. Together, their leadership and business acumen drive NIL opportunities, empowering student-athletes to build their brands, forge partnerships, and maximize their potential beyond their playing careers.
With the launch of The Central Stable Collective, the Opendorse NIL Marketplace which was made possible through a partnership with Brett Ginn, President of Ginn Wealth Management, and the elevation of Bree Heathscott to Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Success and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), UCM Athletics is providing our student-athletes with the best NIL support in Division II,” UCM Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Matt Howdeshell said. “For UCM to be competitive at the highest level of Division II, NIL support is required to retain and attract the best student-athletes. We have updated our giving model to reflect this need. While your direct support of our department, by joining the Cardinal & Black Fund, purchasing tickets, being a corporate partner and giving to sport-specific Excellence Funds remains critical to our growth and well-being, a strong NIL collective is also critical to providing opportunities for our student-athletes.
As part of its robust operating model, the Central Stable has partnered with Opendorse as its operations partner, leveraging the leading NIL technology, data, and services company’s platform to streamline the process for all parties—athletes, administrators, supporters, and collective leadership. The existing relationship between Central Missouri and Opendorse will allow for critical connection points as all three entities work on the same operating system. UCM Athletics will be the first and only NCAA Division II Department of Intercollegiate Athletics to feature both the Opendorse Fee-Free Marketplace and a collective.
“Just as we ask our student-athletes to give 110 percent on the field, we hope Mule Nation will incrementally support the Central Stable Collective,” Howdeshell added. “Our student-athletes continue to excel in competition and in the classroom, and we continue to compete for championships. All our head coaches agree that NIL opportunities through the Central Stable Collective are imperative for future success. We feel the need to adapt to the modern era of college athletics and align ourselves with the most competitive sector of NCAA Division II.”
To round out the full suite of services, Central Stable will lean on Opendorse for start-up resources, including collaborative website design, social media channel build-out, platform onboarding and education, and on-demand support. Fans can also utilize the NIL Marketplace to make direct athlete connections for partnerships like video shoutouts, autographs, social posts, and more. UCM will continue to offer world-class educational resources and software for their athletes.
“Central Missouri Athletics and The Central Stable are all in to make sure the Mules & Jennies have the best opportunities for success,” said Opendorse Co-Founder & President, Collegiate Operations Blake Lawrence. “Centralizing the NIL experience in the UCM Market will streamline the experience, creating clarity and impact. This investment is a strong signal that the Mules & Jennies are ready—ready to win and maximize success as college athletics continues to evolve.”
About Opendorse
Opendorse is the leading athlete network and collegiate technology company, providing products and services to the Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) endorsement industry. 150K+ athletes use Opendorse to build and monetize their name, image, and likeness with support from hundreds of colleges and thousands of brands, fans, donors, and partners.
For media inquiries, contact Opendorse SVP, Collegiate Services & Marketing Julian Valentin at julian.valentin@opendorse.com. Visit www.thecentralstable.com to connect with the Central Stable team and get involved.
