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Ryde's Strategic Investment in College Athletes

In an exciting development for college sports, Ryde, the popular functional wellbeing brand, has unveiled its new Collegiate Program in partnership with Baylor Athletics. This initiative aims to empower college athletes by providing them with invaluable skills and opportunities that extend beyond their sports careers. Set to enrich the everyday lives of college students, this groundbreaking program connects athletics, campus life, and early career development in a meaningful way.

Building on Existing Foundations

Ryde had previously introduced its presence at Baylor through its Collegiate Brand Manager program in 2025. This initiative laid the groundwork for Ryde’s engagement with the student body, making a notable impact in key moments throughout the academic year. The newly expanded Collegiate Program takes this commitment further by adopting a holistic approach—transforming college athletes into campus leaders, paid NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) partners, and future professionals.

Andre Denischuck, the General Manager of Wellness and Stimulation USA at Ryde, commented on this initiative, stating, “The Collegiate Program is our way of supporting college athletes beyond sport— as college students, creators, and future professionals. They are juggling various academic and athletic responsibilities while confronting NIL opportunities for the first time. Our mission is to equip them with real tools, genuine experience, and tangible opportunities that transcend the playing field.”

Four Strategic Pillars of the Program

The Ryde Collegiate Program is crafted around four core pillars designed to maximize athletes’ potential and broaden their horizons:

1. NIL Development Series
This series of marketing and professional development sessions targets accepted college athletes, focusing on often-overlooked skills in conventional athletic training. Topics include authentic personal branding, content strategy, affiliate marketing, and understanding how brands assess partnerships. In hands-on workshops, athletes learn to define their identities beyond sports, relay that identity across platforms such as TikTok, and make sound, values-aligned product recommendations effectively enabling them to enhance their long-term NIL income.

2. NIL Athlete Partners
Ryde has formalized partnerships with several college athletes, empowering them to create and cultivate their personal brands. Current Ryde NIL partners include Tenly Khun (Pole Vault), Tyler Honeyman (Track & Field), Tiriah Kelley (Track & Field), and Lawrence Owens (Acrobatics & Tumbling). Each athlete is given resources and support to grow as leaders, creators, and ultimately, as professionals.

3. College Athlete Internships
The program also offers paid internships where three selected college athletes will gain hands-on experience across key departments at Ryde, including Supply Chain, Digital Ecommerce, and On Premise. This opportunity aligns closely with their post-graduation career ambitions, ensuring that they acquire applicable skills along the way.

4. On-Campus Activations
Furthermore, high-impact campus activations will engage students, alumni, and fans, fully immersing them in the Ryde experience while reinforcing the brand’s commitment to supporting active lifestyles.

A New Paradigm for NIL Support

Haneen Rashwan, the Director of NIL Administration at Baylor University’s Department of Athletics, remarked, “We are thrilled to partner with Ryde to help our student-athletes become the best versions of themselves. The Ryde Collegiate Program establishes a new standard for how brands can genuinely support student-athletes. This collaboration transcends conventional NIL by providing education, hands-on experience, and professional development that equips our athletes for life beyond sports.”

By strategically working with Baylor Athletics, Ryde hopes to lay the groundwork for expanding its Collegiate Program to other universities in the coming years. This initiative seeks to create a scalable national platform designed specifically for athletes, intertwining education, paid partnerships, and professional development into a cohesive, athlete-first model.

About Ryde

Ryde is a global brand that is redefining wellbeing through innovative dietary supplement shots. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Ryde provides flavorful, functional 2oz shots designed to enhance daily wellness. With scientifically-backed formulations, each shot aims to support a diverse array of needs—from energizing and improving focus to promoting relaxation. Ryde is committed to becoming a trustworthy partner in the well-being journey for college athletes and beyond. For more information about Ryde and its offerings, visit ryde.com or amazon.com.