HD Davis CPAs and Friedman & Rummell Co LPA are proud to announce the formation of The Penguin Collective, a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Collective for Youngstown State University student-athletes. The Penguin Collective’s mission is to help YSU student-athletes succeed professionally both on and off the field. Composed of Youngstown-Warren area accounting and legal professionals, The Penguin Collective will help local YSU student-athletes build their personal brands as they navigate their college careers and provide them with opportunities to monetize endorsements using their name, image, and likeness. 

According to NCAA.org, fewer than 2% of NCAA student-athletes go on to pursue professional sports careers. Most student-athletes depend on their college experience to prepare them for life after college. The collective will aid in bridging this gap by serving to facilitate community and business partnerships, amplifying financial literacy, and creating financial equity for student-athletes. Penguin Collective Co-Founder, former collegiate athlete, and Friedman & Rummell Co. Partner Tracie Schmidt commented, “I am excited to help advance opportunities for athletes that they otherwise may not have found without an NIL Collective.  My hope is that with the support of our community and the professionals that have come together to make The Penguin Collective a reality, student-athletes will now have resources available to them that will enhance their athletic careers.” 

The Penguin Collective is also a new opportunity for fans, boosters, and donors to earmark contributions for specific student-athletes, departments, and teams of their choice. CJ Hilbert, Co-Founder of The Penguin Collective, former student-athlete, and Staff Accountant of CFO Services at HD Davis CPAs, added “I’m truly grateful to be a part of something that is going to help student-athletes develop their Name, Image, and Likeness along with creating relationships with different businesses and people in the community.”

Parties interested in getting involved with The Penguin Collective are encouraged to visit the organization website, sign up for The Penguin Collective newsletter, and follow The Penguin Collective on social media for updates. Contributions can be made out to The Penguin Collective and mailed to:

HD Davis CPAs, LLC

?: Tim Petrey, CPA, CGMA

4308 Belmont Ave., Ste. 1

Youngstown, OH 44505