Lenexa-based Athlete Network teams with K-State, Arkansas, Lindenwood on student engagement

A Kansas City-area tech startup is expanding the scope of its social network for athletes, the company announced this week, revealing new partnerships between Athlete Network and three universities with Division 1 sports.

The company is collaborating with athletic departments at Kansas State University, Arkansas State University, and Lindenwood University to develop game-changing technology with the goal of enhancing the student-athlete experience and increasing the engagement of alumni athletes.

Launched in 2015 and led by a team of former athletes, Athlete Network’s celebrity backers have included Shaquille O’Neal, Jerry Rice and Warren Moon. It was named one of Startland’s Top Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2017.

Partnerships with the trio of universities will help Athlete Network refine its layout, content, and functionality as it responds to a survey of challenges facing schools across the country. Athlete Network’s findings indicate common barriers regardless school size, geography, or budget: decentralized services over multiple locations for current student-athletes, a lack of engagement with alumni athletes, and nonexistent data analytics and reporting.

“Through [Athlete Network], athletic administrators will not only be able to offer their services in one convenient location, but use data analytics to track the utilization of those services ensuring a beneficial relationship is maintained with their athletes for life,” said Brett Fuller, vice president of partnerships for Athlete Network.

The company is rolling out customized networks for athletic departments and associations in every division. As a result, athletic departments now not only have access to cutting edge data insights and reporting, but will also have the tools to modernize career placement services, offer robust mentoring programs, enhanced Letterwinners Clubs that furthers alumni engagement, and student-athlete development opportunities, Athlete Network said in a press release.

With the goal of helping 5 million athletes advance their careers, Athlete Network provides collegiate athletic departments, Olympic committees, and professional sports teams a branded and customized network to organize, promote, and track the programs and services they offer current and alumni athletes, the company said.

THANK YOU to @kstatesports, @AStateRedWolves and @LU_Lions AND our whole team at #AthleteNetwork for making this possible. Today, we’re even closer to helping 5 million athletes advance their careers! https://t.co/7s8Caa2nma

— Athlete Network (@AthleteNet) August 2, 2018