Thanks to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), the University of Michigan announced a deal on Friday morning with the Michigan Army National Guard (MIANG) for some of its student-athletes this coming school year.

The official announcement took place on Friday morning at the MIARNG base in Grand Ledge.  Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was on hand and had these comments:

“The Michigan Army National Guard steps up and serves Michigan communities every day.  Joining the Guard is a great way to kickstart your career and embark on pathways to higher education, skills training and good paying jobs. I am grateful for the collaboration between these student-athletes and the Michigan National Guard to highlight the Guard’s excellent career options – a partnership made possible by the NIL legislation I signed in 2020. As a Spartan mom with two Wolverine daughters, today I am proud to join the UofM student-athletes on Team Michigan. Go Blue and go Guard!”

The deal is part of a recruitment campaign that MIARNG and U-M are jointly promoting.  About 120 Michigan players flew in Chinook and Black Hawk (seen above) helicopters over Mid-Michigan as part of the ceremony in Grand Ledge on Friday morning.  The athletes were greeted by a military band playing "Hail To The Victors".

It is unclear as to which specific Michigan athletes will be featured in the promotions.  But before NIL, this type of deal was not allowed.

This deal comes just days after the university named Dr. Santa Ono as the school's new president.  He replaces the interim president, Mary Sue Coleman, who took over for Mark Schlissel earlier this year.

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