ATTENTION VOL NATION! UT WALK-ON ATHLETES NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
Walk-ons are invaluable components to every collegiate team. Coach Rick Barnes has said: “[Walk-ons] do as much preparation to get these guys prepared as anybody.” Indeed, UT Walk-on athletes sacrifice so much to improve as athletes and young adults, compete at a high level and represent UT with class.
The Player Development Fund is excited to announce one of its 2023 fundraising campaigns – the TRUE Volunteer Walk-on Campaign. The TRUE Volunteer campaign is a fundraising campaign created to provide compliant NIL payments and deals only to Walk-on athletes at UT, without regard to gender or team. 90% of all contributions go exclusively to pay UT Walk-on athletes!
The faces of the 2023 TRUE Volunteer Walk-on Campaign are Nolyn Bartholomew (Soccer) and Kent Gilbert (Men’s Basketball). Nolyn is the latest in a long line of UT varsity athletes named “Bartholomew,” with her father, grandfather and uncle being former UT football lettermen. Like her family before her, she has distinguished herself at UT for all the right reasons. Nolyn has proven to be a tireless worker, fierce competitor, and loyal teammate and friend. She is now competing for playing time and is a solid contributor. She is also successful in the classroom, presently enjoying a 3.9 GPA in her Kinesiology Major and Business Minor. She wants to work in the Sports Medicine field after graduation.
Kent Gilbert is another outstanding Walk-on athlete and source of pride for UT athletics. He is a Guard on the Men’s Basketball team. He has a 3.5 GPA and is pursuing a Recreation & Sport Management degree. Kent plans on pursuing a career in collegiate Athletic Department Administration – he wants to be an Athletic Director. He will be an excellent AD one day! Given his talent, work ethic, character, commitment, humility and passion, it’s easy to see why Kent is a fan favorite.
Nolyn Bartholomew and Kent Gilbert – and many others Walk-ons like them – have selflessly, thanklessly and tirelessly devoted so much to UT and the success we see on the field/court. It’s time we give back with NIL!! Walk-on athletes deserve your SUPPORT! Contribute to the TRUE Volunteer Walk-on Campaign today!!