With college athletes now able to benefit financially from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), many of them are cashing in through business deals, appearing on radio stations, or tagging a restaurant on social media in exchange for a free meal, writes Bruce Schoenfeld for The New York Times.

That’s the case with field hockey star Erin Matson, who graduated from the University of North Carolina in December. A three-time National Player of the Year for the Tar Heels, the Chadds Ford native and Unionville High School grad has become the face of field hockey in the U.S.

T-shirts that she designed are on sale in a Chapel Hill clothing store, her voice rings throughout radio advertisements, and she even started her own brand. Recently, Matson signed with Longstreth, a sporting goods store based in Spring City.

Longstreth imports her favorite field hockey sticks from Germany. However, these sponsorship deals represent more than just dollar signs to Matson.  

“I was very cognizant of not doing it just to make money,” she said, “but to serve a purpose.” 

Read more about Erin Matson in The New York Times.