Coming Full Circle

Maryland Athletics recently hired Omari DeBerry as its new Director of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) services. DeBerry brings the knowledge and passion to help provide and identify resources for student-athletes, coaches, and administration through his extensive background. 

DeBerry previously served as the Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Development and NIL at Ohio State. He’s also a former Buckeyes men’s lacrosse student-athlete and a graduate of the university, earning his master’s degree in sport management. However, DeBerry returned to his hometown area for his new position at the University of Maryland. The Calvert Hall High School graduate and native of Woodstock, Md., is excited and eager to grow in his new role.

“It's everything to be able to come back to Maryland and help student-athletes who are at the University of Maryland,” DeBerry said. “It’s incredible to see student-athletes grow and understand that they’re not just student-athletes and can work with companies that interest them and are authentic to them.”

Cody Gambler, the Associate Athletics Director for Compliance, says DeBerry brings the experience, passion, and skills necessary to help Maryland compete at its highest level athletically.

“What instantly stood out with Omari is he was not only working within the NIL space at Ohio State, but he had working knowledge from a Big Ten institution and at the Power Five level,” Gambler said. ”He has Division I student-athlete experience. He is also from the Maryland area locally. When you add all those factors, he was  an excellent candidate.”

At Calvert Hall, DeBerry was a four-year starter for one of the top lacrosse programs in the country. He was one of many high-level Division I products to come out of the school and even helped them win a state title.

DeBerry committed to Ohio State and enjoyed a successful four-year career as a student-athlete from 2017-2021. He earned Academic All-Big Ten honors as an undergraduate majoring in sport industry. He graduated in 2021 and received the Anne & Woody Hayes Award, given to student-athletes who have demonstrated academic achievement (3.00 GPA min) and leadership qualities for their postgraduate studies.

DeBerry believes his background as a former student-athlete was a valuable experience that applies to his professional career.

“It's been beneficial and it's going to continue to be beneficial in just understanding what student-athletes need and their requirements across the landscape of sports,” he said. “They have practices, tutoring, they're on the road. They have all those things that are pulling at them, and it allows me to have a strong understanding of what they go through and what that looks like daily. I also understand the things that could potentially interest them.”

The Maryland native began working as the Program Manager of Student-Athlete Development at Ohio State Athletics in June 2021. DeBerry worked in that role for two years and simultaneously completed his master’s in sport management.

In May 2023, DeBerry was promoted to Assistant Director of Student-Athlete Development and NIL. He worked in that capacity for nearly a year before coming back to Maryland. He says the experience with Ohio State Athletics solidified his passion for serving student-athletes.

“All of the support led me to make connections at Ohio State and I eventually made connections across the country,” DeBerry said. “I learned from my colleagues, and it brought me a deeper understanding of what I wanted to do. I leaned on those resources and those people to continue to develop professionally. That ultimately led me to come into the position that I am now here in Maryland.”

DeBerry is fulfilling an important role in his new position. He will be working closely with Maryland’s athletic teams as a day-to-day contact and resource for coaches. He will coordinate contact between Maryland's NIL partnerships, including Opendorse, the NIL platform available to Terp student-athletes. DeBerry will also work closely with One Maryland Collective and provide education in the NIL space with legislative and other updates.

“You look at the natural evolution in athletics, and NIL has been at the forefront over the last couple of years,” Gambler said. "DeBerry’s role is an important piece to the puzzle within athletics.”