(New Rochelle, N.Y. and Lincoln, Neb. – October 7, 2025) – The Monroe University Mustangs Athletic Department is proud to announce a partnership with Opendorse, the college athletics Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) leader. This collaboration provides Monroe student-athletes with the resources, education, and tools needed to navigate and maximize their NIL opportunities.
With this partnership, Monroe University becomes Opendorse’s first NJCAA partner in Region 15. This milestone reflects Monroe’s commitment to innovation and student-athlete success on and off the field
“Partnering with Opendorse allows our department to provide the highest level of support and access to NIL resources for our student-athletes,” Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Lou Melendez said. “Working with the Opendorse team has been very rewarding and educational for myself as well, and I look forward to continuing to grow our partnership.”
Through this partnership, Monroe student-athletes gain access to a custom-branded NIL marketplace, allowing businesses, fans, and brands to connect with them for partnerships. Athletes can easily book NIL opportunities such as social media endorsements, personal appearances, video shoutouts, and more. The Opendorse Wallet™ streamlines payments, compliance reporting, and tax documentation, ensuring a seamless NIL experience for all stakeholders.
“Becoming the first NJCAA school in Region 15 to join the Opendorse network speaks volumes about Monroe’s commitment to innovation,” said Jake Daughery, Manager of Collegiate Partnerships at Opendorse. “They’re giving student-athletes the education and support needed to navigate NIL with confidence.”
Beyond monetization, Monroe student-athletes will have access to Opendorse’s industry-leading NIL education through on-demand courses in the Opendorse NIL Masterclass, personal branding and financial literacy training, and dedicated workshops designed to help them navigate NIL opportunities. Monroe athletes will also be able to access programs like MindMoves Mental Health by Movember and NIL Real Estate, which offers student-athletes the opportunity to earn a free real estate license.
Student-athletes and local businesses can access the Monroe University NIL Marketplace at opendorse.com/monroe-mustangs
About Opendorse
Opendorse is the technology, data, and service platform powering the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) industry for colleges, collectives, consumers, and commercial partners. More than 175,000 athlete influencers use Opendorse to build, promote, and monetize their personal brands through the largest athlete media network.
For media inquiries, contact Opendorse SVP, Collegiate Services & Marketing Julian Valentin at julian.valentin@opendorse.com.
About the Athletic Program at Monroe University
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as the Monroe University marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeUMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).
