Hail! Impact Issues Press Release - Officially Live
Press Release went out this morning officially launching Hail! Impact. As a reminder, this is the new collective that sets up the players with community service opportunities in exchange for NIL dollars.
One new piece of information from the release is it looks like the co-founders themselves are throwing in $100K of their own money into the nonprofit. Nothing to sneeze at.
The other notable is the endorsement from Harbaugh:
“Hail! Impact embodies our transformational philosophy on NIL by providing valuable service opportunities to our student-athletes while simultaneously benefiting the community we call home. Having worked closely with Chin during the 2022 championship season, I have full confidence in his team delivering a winning platform for players, nonprofit partners and donors alike.”
And perhaps more deafeningly the lack of an endorsement from Warde (from all accounts on Twitter Santa sent a nice note to be displayed at the launch at Chop House, as well).
Crazy weekend with Jadyn, Hunter, Kobe, and the Spring Game but looks like you can see a bunch of press about Hail! on their website here.
Go Blue!
I love the bio of Michael Leach. Just one line about his father being a two-sport D1 athlete in Michigan. :)
Hail!
It'll be interesting to see how this actually works.
I have so much respect for players that give so much time to charity like Corum does. I see why this is being done but it will be strange that knowing the much of the service is required for a paycheck.
The Corums of the world are few and far between (I know I can’t measure up myself). But his kind will continue to go above and beyond the minimal requirements of participating with Hail!, and in a perfect world, some other players will forge community service relationships that they otherwise wouldn’t, and contribute extra when they might have contributed nothing before.
Were going to need a bigger truck.
To me, "balance" is one of the key things in life. In college - for the vast majority of students, it's balancing academics and social activities - perhaps with a bit (or a lot) of work.
For student athletes in Power 5 conferences - you can add those things associated with your sport which includes practices, travel to / from games, S&C, etc.
Then, there's an element of "community".
The first word that comes to mind when I think of Blake Corum is exceptional. His commitment and responsibility are admirable which reflects the characteristics and culture of Michigan's football program.
I'm the last person to "suggest, guide, or tell" anyone what to do with their money or assets. The fact that Blake uses some of his NIL monies to support the local community and those in need, is an example of "actions speak louder than words."
So very, very glad that Blake is part of the Michigan family - for all his efforts to prepare for fall Saturdays, and even moreso for how he "walks the talk" and demonstrates what's important to him.
Go Blue!
Reading the Austin Meek article helped me understand how the program is going to work.
I haven’t followed things as closely the last couple weeks, but is Warde actually not involved in this launch at all (and I think I saw a reference to his absence for the new deals for the coordinators as well in a thread), or is this just more of the running gag about Harbaugh telling Santa he’s staying? Wondering if I should just laugh at the joke or get ready to nod knowingly when he is ousted in the near future.
It's going to be an interesting experiment. I can see where this could resonate with recruit's parents as way to get the paycheck while still developing their child as a person. Done the right way, it could be a powerful tool.
Still have seen no sign that we're marketing this well. Until this platform and others like it reach their way to the general population of wealthy alumni with money to spend, then our NIL is going to continue to be lackluster. Stop advertising to Michigan sports media outlets that only a select group of dedicated Michigan sports Twitter users are going to see and pump it out to the general population of Michigan alumni and sports fans
I'm a Co-founder of Hail! Impact. We are certainly trying to market our program and reach the general population as you describe above. That was the point of the national press release we issued on globe newswire yesterday. If you have suggestions, Chin and I welcome them and appreciate the input.
We have a great program in place. Its success will hinge on whether we can convert supporters into donors. We're committed to that effort and certainly can benefit from fans spreading the word. Thanks!