Friends of Nova is a new collective that will help student-athletes connect with financial opportunities and the community, writes Ryan Mulligan for Philadelphia Business Journal.

The collective is the brainchild of Villanova University basketball great Randy Foye and former assistant coach Ashley Howard.

Foye starred at Villanova from 2002 to 2006, with 12 years in the NBA.

Howard led Wildcats to two NCAA championships, serving as assistant coach from 2013 to 2018. 

Friends of Nova is a subsidiary of Blueprint Sports, which runs similar programs at other universities.

 The collective will look for opportunities for the athletes to start online influencer campaigns, make local appearances and speaking engagements, and coach youth sports.

“It’s not just a place where we can give them a check. We want something where, yeah you’re going to earn off your name, image, and likeness, but we want you to give back,” Foye said.

Villanova has long been one of the top college basketball programs in the country, generating considerable fundraising and revenue.

In 2016, the Wildcats’ national championship win produced TV exposure worth more than $1 billion and $2 million in merchandise sales.

Read more about Friends of Nova working to help student athletes at Philadelphia Business Journal.

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