Here's how a new NIL collective hopes to provide major boost to Clemson baseball, softball

A second NIL collective has joined the fold to serve Clemson athletes.

Dear Old Clemson LLC, founded by two Clemson graduates and area business owners, last week announced a name, image and likeness (NIL) effort, with an immediate eye toward boosting financial support for the partial-scholarship sports of baseball and softball.

“That’s an area where NIL can be a game-changer,” said Dear Old Clemson co-founder Robert MacRae.

Compared to many schools, Clemson has been playing from behind in regard to baseball scholarships. Some schools, such as Vanderbilt and Virginia, have been able to supplement -- or, in many cases, fully fund -- scholarships through endowments and financial aid.

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According to NCAA rules, a Division I baseball team is allotted 11.7 scholarships, which can be divided among no more than 27 players. All players who receive an athletic scholarship must receive at least a 25% scholarship.

Softball teams receive 12 scholarships, which are split among the 29 players on Clemson’s current roster.

MacRae is convinced that Clemson’s recent decline in baseball — the Tigers have failed to make the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back years for the first time since the mid-1980s — is attributable to being unable to fully cover the cost of scholarships.

“Clemson needs to be able to bring them in and keep them,” MacRae said. “It could also impact their draft decisions — does a player come back for one more year if mom and dad have to pay $20,000 out of pocket?

“We don’t want Clemson to be at a disadvantage. Clemson has the facilities and history when it comes to baseball but could be losing out when it comes down to financial decisions. That’s where NIL can be a game-changer.”

Dear Old Clemson includes several former Clemson athletes to generate support and serve as advisers on how funds should be distributed, including former Major League Baseball player Kyle Parker and former softball standout Sam Russ, who’s now a graduate student at the school.

Former football standouts Shaq Lawson and Adam Humphries also will serve as advisers. Jay Courie, a lawyer and longtime Clemson supporter, serves as legal counsel and adviser.

MacRae plans to have meet-and-greet and autograph sessions with incoming recruiting classes in baseball and football.

“Dear Old Clemson was created to benefit the student-athletes, the Clemson business community and the best fans in the nation,” said MacRae, a 1987 Clemson graduate. “Dear Old Clemson’s initial focus will be on football, baseball, softball and basketball, but will extend to other sports in the future.”

Businesses and fans may contribute via the Clemson Athletic Club and the Lady Tiger Club. Contributions for the Lady Tiger Club will go exclusively to support women’s sports, while monies generated for the Clemson Athletic Club will support football and other sports.

Club members will have access to exclusive events and receive early access and discounts on collectibles.

Some of the funds will be used to compensate student-athletes in exchange for appearances at businesses in the Clemson area. Dear Old Clemson also will match portions of funds from local businesses that pay student-athletes to help promote their businesses.

“When the Tigers are successful on the field, it certainly helps the local business community,” said Dear Old Clemson co-founder Jason Beaty, a Clemson graduate who owns Clemson Variety & Frame in downtown Clemson. “We plan to do our part to help.”

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: How a new NIL collective hopes to boost Clemson baseball, softball