HARRISONBURG, Va. – Amid the evolving environment of collegiate athletics, the Montpelier Collective launched Thursday to provide opportunities for student-athletes at James Madison University to benefit from their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL).
 
The Montpelier Collective is not officially affiliated with JMU Athletics but is acknowledged by the department and will operate within NCAA, Sun Belt and Virginia parameters to enhance opportunities for JMU student-athletes. The collective's moniker derives from the nearby Virginia home of former United States President James Madison.
 
The Montpelier Collective is led by a non-paid Board of Directors, which is assisted by student volunteers who handle administrative tasks under the Board's direction. Cliff Wood, a longtime supporter of JMU Athletics and former senior associate athletic director for development, serves as president of the Montpelier Collective Board of Directors.
 
"As a collective, we are excited to help JMU student-athletes while fostering a close connection with our local community," Wood said. "JMU Athletics has elevated with a strategic and measured upward trajectory, and the Montpelier Collective is focused on playing our part to ensure that the department and our student-athletes can meet heightened goals and achieve on a national level. As the collegiate landscape evolves, it's important that JMU evolve with it. Ultimately, our efforts will only be as successful as the support and investment received from supporters of the university. On a personal note, I'm excited to work with our student-athletes again while investing back in the local community in the Shenandoah Valley."
 
A 501(c)(3) organization operating via donations from independent contributors, the collective will focus on opportunities for community service contributions for JMU student-athletes in exchange for NIL compensation. Partner organizations will be identified by the collective's board members. The central goal of the Collective is to prepare student athletes for a lifetime commitment to charitable endeavors. 
 
"We are aware of the formation of the Montpelier Collective and appreciate their efforts to advance the experience of student-athletes at James Madison University," JMU Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said. "Our student-athletes will enjoy opportunities to expand their collegiate experience via NIL possibilities. While the Montpelier Collective supplements financial prospects for student-athletes via service initiatives, JMU Athletics will maintain its focus on providing championship experiences within the collegiate athletics construct with concentration on our Duke Club fundraising model."
 
While the collective provides compensation opportunities to benefit student-athletes, it does not replace the critical operation of JMU's official athletics development wing, the JMU Duke Club. Supporters of JMU Athletics wishing to contribute to the Montpelier Collective should only do so above and beyond their typical Duke Club contributions.
 
montpeliercollective.com