SAN ANTONIO – Ascend Collegiate Services, a division of Ascend Fundraising Solutions, and UTSA Athletics on Friday announced a partnership aimed at significantly increasing financial support for UTSA’s student-athletes across all sports.
Runners United, the Roadrunners’ official NIL initiative, will now feature an innovative multi-tiered subscription-based program designed to channel fan enthusiasm into direct support for UTSA’s student-athletes.
Empowering All UTSA Student-Athletes
The partnership expands UTSA Athletics’ revenue-generating efforts, growing beyond the traditional scholarship support to ensure direct financial support for student-athletes in each of the Roadrunners’ 17 sports.
“We are excited to partner with Ascend to create this comprehensive subscription-based program as part of Runners United,” said Lisa Campos, UTSA Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. “From the start, we have been committed to providing the best possible resources for all of our student-athletes to maximize their NIL opportunities. Together with Ascend, we’re creating a sustainable model of consistent support that will benefit current and future generations of UTSA student-athletes.”
Become a subscriber of Runners United today by clicking this link.
Proven Fundraising Expertise
Ascend Fundraising brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record to this partnership. Over the past decade, Ascend has been a driving force in the fundraising sector, helping more than 500 charities, foundations, collectives, schools and not-for-profits raise more than $1.4 billion. This extensive experience across various sectors positions Ascend uniquely to maximize the impact of Runners United, ensuring that UTSA’s student-athletes receive the highest level of direct support possible.
“We are very excited to partner with UTSA Athletics on this initiative,” said Dan Libro, Head of Ascend College Services. “In the changing world of college athletics, UTSA is forward thinking on how they want to build long-term, sustainable fundraising for UTSA student-athletes. Runners United will provide the UTSA constituency the ability to both participate in the success of the programs while also receiving value back for their contributions.”
Direct Impact on Student-Athletes
The revenue generated through Runners United’s subscription-based model will be strategically allocated to address critical needs across each of UTSA’s 17 athletics programs, ensuring that every UTSA student-athlete has access to the direct resources they need to excel.
“Every subscription to Runners United directly contributes to enhancing the lives and careers of our student-athletes,” said Brad Smith, UTSA Deputy Athletics Director for External Affairs. “This is a direct investment in the futures of our nearly 400 student-athletes both in and out of competition.”
The Runners United subscription-based model will work in concert with the Roadrunner Athletic Fund. While Runners United serves to provide direct financial support to UTSA student-athletes, RAF provides various avenues for support of UTSA student-athletes and sport programs, including scholarship support, student development in academics and life skills.
For more information about Runners United and how to become a subscriber, click here.
For more information about the Roadrunner Athletic Fund and how to become a member, click here.
# # #
About Ascend Fundraising
Ascend College Services, a division of Ascend Fundraising Solutions, is a leading provider of software and services for fundraising and revenue generation. Having worked with more than 800 charities worldwide, including some of the most iconic brands across the sports and not-for-profit landscapes, Ascend has raised over $1.5 Billion for their partners over their history.
Clients include partners across the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, NLL, CFL, & NCAA as well as NASCAR events and PGA tournaments, as well as charitable organizations such as the Special Olympics, United Way Worldwide, hospitals, humane societies, hospices and more.
About Runners United
Runners United is a comprehensive Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) initiative designed to benefit student-athletes across all UTSA sport programs. This groundbreaking program brought together three key collectives – City Fans 210, 210 Inspired and Runners Rising – to create a community-focused, sustainable approach to NIL. Runners United provides UTSA student-athletes with greater opportunities for NIL compensation, engages the San Antonio community and fosters philanthropic support, all while solidifying UTSA’s role as an innovative leader in NIL strategy.
Runners United, in partnership with Ascend, is a multi-tiered subscription-based program that creates a sustainable model of consistent support for UTSA’s nearly 400 student-athletes.