FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Carl
Phone: 610-334-5428
Email: info@tuff-fund.com
Tuesday, August 30th, 2022

Temple Alumni launch The TUFF Fund, a charitably-focused organization to promote and support Owl student-athletes

PHILADELPHIA – A group of passionate Temple University alumni and donors have announced the formation of The TUFF Fund, a 501(c)(3) charitable fund intent on deepening the connection between Temple student-athletes and the Greater Philadelphia community using Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Prioritizing community-focused initiatives and partnerships in the Greater Philadelphia area, the TUFF Fund will maximize NIL opportunities for Temple student-athletes.

In accordance with NCAA guidelines, the Fund is not affiliated with Temple University.

The TUFF Fund will enhance Temple University as a nationally premier atmosphere of growth for student-athletes on the playing field, in the classroom, and throughout the community. With the Fund established, it will allow any and all Temple alumni, fans, and supporters to donate to a centralized fund to be dispersed directly to student-athletes in exchange for their involvement in charitable activities utilizing NIL agreements.

“Positioned in the 4th largest media market in the United States, with over 350,000 loyal and passionate alumni and a sprawling network of strategic corporate partners and philanthropic leaders, we felt it was necessary to spearhead an effort that will maximize the Temple student-athlete’s brand and marketing opportunities,” explained Andy Carl, a two-time graduate of Temple’s School of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management (STHM) and executive director of The TUFF Fund. “As Philadelphia’s flagship university, Temple’s DNA is woven throughout this great sports region and we’re excited to harness those relationships.”

Rounding out the Fund’s executive leadership are Seth Goldblum, a 1993 graduate of Temple’s Fox School of Business and Chris Squeri, a 1996 STHM graduate. “I’m excited to be a part of something as truly transformational as the TUFF Fund can be for Temple. With the ever-changing college sports landscape, I feel it’s vitally important to be aggressive and progressive in the NIL space,” said Goldblum, senior managing director at CBIZ Private Equity Advisory.

Squeri, who was a student manager under legendary coach John Chaney notes, “This isn’t your grandparents’ Temple. We have a vibrant student and alumni population in the heart of a world-class city. It’s time to act boldly and be dynamic in our actions as a fan base and university. We’ve already seen significant private interest in The TUFF Fund and expect a tremendous impact moving forward.”

The Fund will identify and partner with Temple student-athletes, utilizing their expertise and passions to maximize the charitable impact their involvement will have in the North Philadelphia and surrounding communities. The TUFF Fund expects to activate community service initiatives in excess of 1,000 hours from the Fund’s NIL partnerships. To achieve these goals, the TUFF Fund will not only leverage relationships with regional and national brands, but will also enlist the help of passionate alumni and fans through fiscal support of the fund.Donors to the fund will have the opportunity to attend exclusive events, including in-person and virtual meet-and-greets with student-athletes, watch parties, camps, clinics, and other community initiatives.

The TUFF Fund was created under the legal guidance of Blank Rome LLP, a leading Am Law 100 law firm founded in Philadelphia that provides comprehensive sports law legal counsel on NIL legislature matters, to ensure compliance with all state, federal, and NCAA guidelines.

“Blank Rome is excited to work with the TUFF Fund on its mission to connect student-athletes to our Philadelphia community through the use of compliant NIL deals,” said Cody Wilcoxson, an attorney in Blank Rome’s sports law group. “Andy and his team are going to make a difference for the local community and provide unique opportunities to Temple student athletes.”

For more information on The TUFF Fund or to make an immediate impact as a founding member, please visit www.TUFF-Fund.com.