AAC Announces Athletic Solutions as Official NIL Store Provider
WALESKA, Ga. - The Appalachian Athletic Conference and Athletic Solutions are proud to announce a new partnership to empower student-athletes through the launch of official NIL Locker Rooms.
Every student athlete at The Appalachian Athletic Conference can opt-in with Athletic Solutions to receive their own NIL Locker room. As the officially endorsed NIL store for The Appalachian Athletic Conference athletes, Athletic Solutions' innovative approach provides fans with direct access to officially licensed merchandise that supports all student-athletes.
This marks a significant step in expanding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, while strengthening the connection between fans and athletes at The Appalachian Athletic Conference.
About Athletic Solutions:
Athletic Solutions is a national leader in NIL fan engagement and e-commerce technology, collaborating with colleges and universities to bring NIL Locker Rooms to life. Their platform simplifies NIL opportunities, providing student-athletes with the tools and exposure needed to thrive in the evolving landscape of college athletics.
Quote from Conference:
"We are so excited to partner with Athletic Solutions and provide our member institutions with a resource to help with their student-athletes' NIL needs," said AAC Commissioner Bill Popp. "Athletic Solutions provides a quick launch platform for student-athletes and a stellar reputation and experience in the NIL space, which is so new to many small private institutions."
Quote from Tom Feiden of Athletic Solutions:
"Partnering with The Appalachian Athletic Conference means partnering with excellence," said Tom Feiden, President & CEO of Athletic Solutions. "Our mission is simple: empower athletes, inspire fans with great product, and elevate the spirit of college athletics. We're proud to partner with The Appalachian Athletic Conference."
About the AAC:
The Appalachian Athletic Conference evolved from the Volunteer State Athletic Conference (VSAC), an NAIA conference organized in the 1940s and dissolved in the early 1980s when institutions in the eastern part of the state seceded to form the Tennessee Virginia Athletic Conference (TVAC). The Conference name changed to the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) in 2001 with the addition of Bluefield University, Montreat College, Alice Lloyd College, and Union Commonwealth University.
In 2019, the Conference became the largest NAIA-affiliated conference with 16 full members in seven southeastern states. Currently, the AAC now has 15 full members: Bluefield (Va.), Brenau (Ga.), Bryan (Tenn.), Columbia (S.C.), Columbia International (S.C.), Johnson (Tenn.), Milligan (Tenn.), Montreat (N.C.), Pikeville (Ky.), Reinhardt (Ga.), SCAD Atlanta (Ga.), Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.), Tennessee Wesleyan, Truett McConnell (Ga.), and Union Commonwealth (Ky.). The AAC has 16 affiliate members as well: Brewton-Parker (Ga.), Carolina (N.C.) Cumberlands (Ky.), Georgetown (Ky.), Keiser (Fla.), Kentucky Christian, Life (Ga.), Point (Ga.) SCAD Savannah (Ga.), Southeastern (Fla.), St. Thomas (Fla.), Talladega (Ala.), Tennessee Southern, Warner (Fla.), Webber International (Fla.), and West Virginia Tech.
The AAC sponsors championships in 24 sports: cross country, soccer, football, basketball, swimming & diving, indoor track & field, wrestling, volleyball, lacrosse, outdoor track & field, golf, baseball, and tennis for men; cross country, soccer, volleyball, basketball, swimming & diving, indoor track & field, lacrosse, outdoor track & field, golf, softball, and tennis for women.