By Xavier Sanchez
Correspondent
Name, image and likeness has over the past several years opened up opportunities for college athletes in a variety of ways.
The Chicago White Sox entered the NIL space with a program of their own called CHISOX Athlete.
This year’s roster of athletes included Marist graduate and current Notre Dame offensive lineman Pat Coogan, who threw out the first pitch at the White Sox game against Seattle on July 26. Coogan was joined by his family for a night out in a private suite at Guaranteed Rate Field.
“I grew up as a White Sox fan,” said Coogan, of Palos Heights. “A bunch of our neighbors and us would always take a big bus down and it would always be a big day.”
The CHISOX program began in 2022 and featured eight athletes that year. They continued with a new set of eight in 2023 before expanding to 12 this year. This program is designed to “help empower student-athletes, their voices and careers both on and off the field,” according to the program’s webpage.
“I was super excited when they reached out to me,” Coogan said. “It is a really cool opportunity. I knew a couple Notre Dame people that did it in the past couple of years. I saw them and knew it was a no-brainer for me.”
Pat Coogan delivers the first pitch prior to the White Sox taking on the Seattle Mariners on July 26. Photo courtesy of Chicago White SoxAthletes receive personalized career mentorships from sports executives, branding opportunities on White Sox social platforms, and financial opportunities for their promotion. Coogan also received a custom jersey and other White Sox merch. They also set up a photoshoot for the athlete and an “iconic” Chicagoland sports venue.
“I feel really grateful; to have all my family and all my friends watching me is really cool,” Coogan said. “We all came, we all live like 30 minutes away. To have everyone to be here and not just me, it’s a really cool opportunity.”.
Coogan is coming off of a big junior season in which he started at left guard in all 13 games for the Irish. He was part of an offense that averaged the second-most points per game in Notre Dame history (39.1).
The senior lineman, who has two more years of college eligibility, is enjoying his summer but looking forward to being back in South Bend.
“This upcoming year is another opportunity to find my best friends and grow relationships I have already established,” he said. “I am just really excited, we have a really, really good group of guys in the locker room and we are going to win a lot of games with those guys.”
“There is a lot of stuff to look forward to and obviously it is a huge season coming. For me, I just like to take it one day at a time and really be where my feet are and enjoy the times.”
Notre Dame kicks off the season against Texas A&M in College Station on August 31.