CHARLOTTE, NC- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is announcing a new innovative, conference-wide partnership with Prolink and Athlete Network to provide student-athletes more robust career opportunities and a platform for student-athletes to help develop the future of the CIAA athlete experience. This first-of-a-kind partnership will ensure all 13 schools within the conference are delivering a more holistic model of the student-athlete experience while also building brand affinity and pride in the conference itself.
 
The CIAA is committed to excellence in supporting the whole student-athlete experience through meaningful relationships and strategic partnerships. Through the partnership with Prolink and Athlete Network, the conference will rally the business community and its career opportunities for athletes in the CIAA Career Network and provide a collaborative space for Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) leaders from each institution.
 
“The student-athlete experience, voice and well-being are central to all we do in the CIAA. We sincerely appreciate Prolink’s commitment to bringing new efficiencies to our operations so we can maximize our resources for our institutions and our athletes. Athlete Network will help us extend career opportunities and amplify student-athlete voices in new ways for all our athletes. It’s an example of true generational impact.”
-Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA Commissioner
 
“Prolink understands the value of hiring student-athletes because of the discipline and determination that comes with being a college student-athlete. Athletes have experience working in teams and understand the dynamics of collaboration, communication, and goal-oriented environments. Through Athlete Network Solutions, we look forward to helping facilitate career opportunities for CIAA athletes.”
-Tony Munafo, CEO of Prolink
 
In addition to expanding relationships and career resources, the partnership will provide helpful data insights to athlete engagement that will be critical in growing into a proactive future of college athletics. Athletes and the athlete experience continue to change, so having flexible tools that allow for growth will help staff create consistency throughout change.
 
“Athlete Network is excited to dive into this conference-wide initiative to support the CIAA in growing leaders today and tomorrow. Through our technology, the CIAA will not only be able to provide career development resources but also give athletes direct access to national and regional employer partners looking to hire athletes because of their innate traits. By leveraging the Athlete Network platform, the conference and its member institutions will automatically ensure each and every student-athlete has access to these opportunities, therefore increasing the utilization and application of services.”
-Chris Smith, Athlete Network CEO
 
For more information, contact Candace Dunback, Athlete Network VP for Culture and Partner Experience at candace@athletenetwork.com.
 
 
About Prolink
Prolink is a premier workforce solutions organization, fulfilling comprehensive staffing, technology, culture, data, and talent experience needs throughout the United States. Founded in 2011, Prolink is built upon a foundation of trusted relationships with our clients, talent, and internal team; together, this is the Prolink Family. We strive to be the vehicle that drives every member to succeed personally, professionally, and financially. Learn more.
 
About the CIAA
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) was founded and incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1912 and adopted its current name in December of 1950. The conference is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is governed by a Board of twelve (12) Presidents and Chancellors representing institutions from Pennsylvania to South Carolina. It has both private and public colleges and universities with enrollments ranging from 750 to over 8,000 students. The CIAA is committed to excellence in everything they do in DII to support the total student-athlete well-being and experience on and off the court through meaningful relationships and strategic partnerships to make the world a better place. Learn more.
 
About Athlete Network
Founded by former college athletes, Athlete Network is the leader in software solutions for current and former student-athlete engagement and support. The company’s solutions allow collegiate athletic departments and athletic associations to centralize, promote, and track the resources and services offered to their current and former student-athletes in exclusive networks. Fully integrated add-on solutions include Mentorship, Forms & Payments (fundraising), Careers, Messaging, and SIDEARM Content Integration. In turn, athletic departments and athletic associations substantially improve engagement with their athletes and members, generate increased revenue and fundraising, and gain valuable data analytics and reporting to support decision making. Learn more.