Young Harris, Ga. | Young Harris College Athletics proudly announces the launch of The Valley Collective, the official Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collective supporting Mountain Lion student-athletes. This initiative represents a major milestone in the College's ongoing commitment to empowering its athletes both on and off the field.

"The Valley Collective will help provide NIL opportunities for select student-athletes and also serve as a catalyst for community engagement and support," said Director of Athletics Aaron Bessey. "As we look to compete at the highest level of Division II in the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics, this collective will play a crucial role in providing certain programs with stability, and our student-athletes with a holistic college athletics experience."

The Valley Collective is now fully operational as a registered LLC and will initially only provide NIL opportunities for select sports at YHC. With a mission to provide meaningful support and resources to specific student-athletes, the collective will connect donors, alumni, and community partners to help athletes build their personal brands, engage with the local community, and prepare for life beyond college athletics.

"Our vision for The Valley Collective is simple: empower student-athletes to thrive both on and off the field," said Megan DiNatale, a founding member of the collective. "We're here to provide the resources, support, and opportunities they need to build their brand, give back to the community, and succeed long after they leave the field or court for the last time."

The collective is the result of a collaborative effort among key leaders in the Young Harris College community. Chris Collins, Jon Spiva, and Megan DiNatale have been instrumental in laying the groundwork for the collective's legal, financial, and operational infrastructure. From securing early donations to drafting operating agreements and establishing a dedicated website, the team has worked diligently to ensure a strong foundation for long-term success, alongside Aaron Bessey.

"The Valley Collective will initially focus on supporting student-athletes across all sports, with an emphasis on creating opportunities that align with the College's values of leadership, service, and academic excellence. Through donor contributions, athletes will be able to participate in NIL activities that benefit both themselves and the broader community," said Jon Spiva.

"The Valley Collective was started to support our student-athletes and give them the same opportunities as other athletes they compete against. Our programs need to be able to compete at the highest levels in our conference and our region. In addition, the Valley Collective will allow our student-athletes to expand their community involvement and strengthen the skills they need to be successful in both sport and life," added Chris Collins.

While The Valley Collective will initially focus on supporting student-athletes across select sports, the goal will be to eventually allow for opportunities across all sports. The emphasis of the collective will evolve around creating opportunities that align with the College's values of leadership, service, and academic excellence. Through donor contributions, these select athletes will be able to participate in NIL activities that benefit both themselves and the broader community.

To support The Valley Collective and check out the official website, please visit yhcathletics.com/thevalleycollective to find out more. yhcathletics.com/thevalleycollective will serve as the primary platform for information, donations, and updates.

While The Valley Collective will not have its own social media presence, all announcements and news will be shared through the official @YHCAthletics accounts on Instagram, X, and Facebook.

As NIL continues to reshape the landscape of college athletics, Young Harris College is proud to be at the forefront of this movement, ensuring its student-athletes are equipped with the tools and support they need to succeed in every arena.