Sports

from Preston Hollow People September 2022

by People Newspapers

Living

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: BETTS FINDS NICHE IN NIL LANDSCAPE

Former ESD receiver adeptly balances college football with endorsements

By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers

Jack Betts went to Amherst College looking to make his mark as a wide receiver, not an entrepreneur.

Three years later, the former Episcopal School of Dallas student from the Park Cities has caught only one pass but has secured dozens of endorsement deals enabled by the 2021 passage of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations for NCAA athletes.

While balancing the rigors of football and academics, Betts has become a social media ambassador for brands ranging from PSD Underwear to Omaha Steaks — usually earning commissions or free products in exchange for pre-arranged viral shoutouts.

“I’ve always been interested in the business side of things,” said Betts, whose parents are both attorneys. “I’ve viewed it as a continuous internship. I’m really getting to understand the internals of what it’s like to run a startup.”

Such arrangements are unusual at schools like Amherst. The Massachusetts campus has about

ESD alum Jack Betts has embraced the introduction of NIL to the college

sports landscape as an entrepreneurial venture. (COURTESY PHOTO)

2,000 students and competes at the NCAA Division III level.

However, Betts has become a pioneer in the NIL space. He’s attended national conferences, been interviewed on podcasts and television shows, and become a resource for other student-athletes who aren’t sure how to get started.

Betts didn’t play in 2019, and the Mammoths canceled their 2020 season due to the pandemic. The NIL guidelines took effect in July 2021, and six months later, Lifestyle Bands reached out to him.

“I figured I might as well throw my hat in the ring,” said Betts, a junior English major. “Coming from the Division III level, I had very limited resources coming from my school. It’s been built from the ground out from my desk at home.”

In forging more than 30 partnerships during the span of a few months, Betts learned that you don’t need to play for Alabama or Ohio State to take advantage of the new NIL landscape.

“Why wouldn’t I be the one who breaks down that barrier? Deals aren’t exclusive to Division I and Power Five [conference] guys,” he said. “We’re talented; we’re creative. I wanted to be the one to change the narrative and break down that wall.”

During his free time, Betts became social media savvy and educated himself in brand-building and self-marketing. He launched a website. And he has more than doubled his following on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. “Starting out, there was a lot of hesitancy from these brands. It’s all about sell-

I wanted to ing yourself and presenting yourself be the one to as a professional,” change the Betts said. “Most of the time, I am narrative. these brands’ first Jack Betts Division III athlete. I have to show that I deserve to be in partnership with them.” Betts will need to focus more on football this fall. But his long-term goals include starting an academy to empower indigenous athletes looking to break into the NIL space since he has Cherokee heritage. “Down the line, the skills that I’m flexing here will be useful in the business world,” Betts said. “As student-athletes, we’ve learned to balance all of the obligations we have going on in our lives. It’s another thing I’m going to have on my plate.”

Spangler, Knights Aim to Continue Momentum After losing just 2 seniors, Covenant has high hopes in tough district

COVENANT SCHEDULE By Todd Jorgenson

People Newspapers

August 26 Lewisville Founders 7 p.m. September 2 at Colleyville Covenant 7 p.m. 9 at Greenhill 7 p.m. 16 at First Baptist 7 p.m. 23 Trinity Willow Park 7 p.m. October 7 Dallas Christian* 7 p.m. 14 at Bullard Brook Hill* 7 p.m. 21 McKinney Christian* 7 p.m. 28 at Shelton* 7 p.m. November 4 Tyler All Saints* 7 p.m.

* — TAPPS district game

TAPPS ALIGNMENT Area schools will find a mix of familiar and new opponents on their schedules this season following a new round of TAPPS realignment. Here’s a look at 11-man football districts with local ties.

DIV. I, District 1 DIV. III, District 2 Parish Episcopal Covenant Trinity Christian Shelton Bishop Lynch Bullard Brook Hill Fort Worth Nolan Dallas Christian Plano Prestonwood Tyler All Saints

After enduring a bumpy ride with a young roster in 2021, Covenant hopes its path to success will be smoother during the upcoming football season.

Despite the inexperience and a slow start, the Knights won five of their last seven games and returned to the TAPPS playoffs.

So, the foundation is solid for a team that lost only two seniors to graduation and returns nine starters on both sides of scrimmage.

“We took our lumps with those guys having to play such a significant role,” Covenant head coach Jacob Zinn said. “We got a lot of experience that we wouldn’t have gotten any other way.”

Mark Spangler became the starting quarterback last year almost by default, and he responded with almost 2,300 all-purpose yards and 27 touchdowns — 16 rushing and 11 passing.

“He really grew during the season,” Zinn said. “We’re expecting him to pick up where he left off. Mark is a phenomenal athlete. If he plays more consistently, I think it’s going to be really hard for defenses. We’re going to be able to score a lot of points.”

Now a senior, Spangler’s season will bring to a close a quarterback legacy at Covenant that included older brothers Jack and Ben.

Many of the top players for Covenant NEED MORE FOOTBALL?

For a look at other area teams, see our enclosed Season Preview section.

Bennett Sands is one of several returning starters on both sides of scrimmage for Covenant.

(PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY)

will see action on both offense and defense. Sack specialist Dobson Beaird will anchor the defensive line, and hard-hitting linebacker James Predtechenskis is one of the leading tacklers in program history.

Other key returnees at multiple positions include Andrew Pattison, Reed Graham, Bennett Sands, Brady Shahan, and sophomore Benji Golik.

Roster stability should enable Covenant to contend in a more challenging district with perennial power Dallas Christian, which drops to Division III after winning a Division II title last year.

“We’re going to continue to have high expectations,” Zinn said. “It’s a tough district, but if we control what we do, everything will fall into place.”