PULLMAN, Wash. -- Washington State Athletics has partnered with leading brand consultant and best-selling author Jeremy Darlow to educate and assist Cougar student-athletes on building their personal brands to succeed in life beyond sports, it was announced Monday.
 
Washington State is one of a handful of Power 5 schools to partner with Darlow for all of its student-athletes, nearly 500 for the Cougars. The programming is another component of WSU's overall approach for the development of its student-athletes during their time in Pullman while also preparing them for life after collegiate athletics.
 
"Jeremy's program transcends sports and focuses on personal growth, brand development and leadership, providing our student-athletes with the tools that will benefit them well beyond their time in Pullman," said WSU Director of Athletics Pat Chun. "Learning these valuables skills from one of the nation's leading authorities in personal brand management is another step WSU Athletics has taken to prepare our student-athletes for life after sports."
 
Darlow's weekly lessons are video based, with no video exceeding five minutes in length. The lessons show student-athletes how to build their influence and leverage their athletic accomplishments well beyond sports. At the end of each video, students are given a homework assignment found in their copy of The DARLOW Rules book. Those homework assignments make up portions of the student's ultimate brand marketing plan.
 
"Working with a school as dedicated to the future of their student athletes as Washington State University is, truly is an honor," said Darlow. "I look forward to helping every Cougar athlete build a personal brand and marketing plan for life beyond sports." 
 
In recent months, the NCAA has announced its commitment to allow name, image and likeness opportunities for student-athletes consistent with the collegiate athlete model. In April, the NCAA Board of Governors supported rule changes allowing student-athletes to receive compensation for third-party endorsements both related to and separate from athletics. It also supports compensation for other student-athlete opportunities, such as social media, businesses they have started and personal appearances, all within the collegiate athlete model.
 
Washington State Athletics is committed to enriching the overall student-athlete experience by providing tools and opportunities to equip student-athletes for successful careers. With a focus on career, leadership, and personal development, WSU student-athletes will grow and excel during and after their time in Pullman.
 
Of the three pillars, career, leadership and personal development, the partnership with Darlow connects to the personal development programming for Cougar student-athletes. The WSU Athletics personal branding program was designed to prepare student-athletes for professional and personal branding opportunities, as well as the NCAA's new Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) legislation.
 
The program focuses on personal branding educational topics, such as personal and professional branding, entrepreneurship, time management, financial literacy and NCAA compliance. WSU Athletics currently provides personal branding education during the New Student-Athlete Orientation Seminar, Leadership Course, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Black Student-Athlete Association. The partnership with Darlow will strengthen education through monthly workshops and the Darlow Rules course. WSU Athletics coaches and staff will also have the opportunity to participate in these workshops to better support Cougar student-athletes.
 
Darlow is a leading brand consultant, former director of marketing for adidas football and baseball, adjunct marketing professor, and author of the best-selling books, The Darlow Rules, Brands Win Championships and Athletes Are Brands Too.