Cowgirls and Seth Wadley Show in First Event How to Do NIL Right

PERRY – It was impossible to tell how many people were there, but suffice to say it was one of the most well attended softball games in Perry Lady Maroons history. Perry was hosting Class 6A powerhouse Edmond Memorial and the chairs around the backstop were six and seven deep. The bleachers were full and there were people standing all the way around the field including behind the outfield fence. Then before the game started, here came the Oklahoma State Cowgirls softball team with police lights and sirens as Perry’s finest gave then an escort into the ball park complex. 

Jared and April Cunningham part of the ownership team of Seth Wadley’s Perry dealerships presented a check for $3,500 to Perry Schools superintendant Terry McCarty. 

Then the Cowgirls took the field and circled around the pitching circle where 2022 Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and consensus All-American Kelly Maxwell fired in the ceremonial first pitch to Perry’s catcher Bella Porter. 

OSU Cowgirls Softball Twitter

Cowgirls softball is an example of how to do NIL.

Then the Cowgirls proceeded to the stands and the concession stand area where they signed autographs and posed for pictures with young softball players, Oklahoma State fans, and softball enthusiasts. There were prizes and even four tickets to the OSU-Central Michigan football game raffled off and the proceeds all went to Perry Lady Maroons softball. 

This is what name-image-and-likeness is supposed to be. College athletes using their personalities and representing themselves, their school, and in this case Seth Wadley auto dealerships of Perry for good. The crowd loved it. The Cowgirls players are so classy. It was a great event. Just what the sponsor wanted.

“I find it increasingly rare in this world that people go above and beyond to make a difference in others’ lives,” Jared Cunningham said of the event. “With our two Perry dealerships being less than 20 minutes from campus, we felt this NIL agreement was the perfect opportunity for us to support standout athletes who exemplify the values of our businesses and community. It is a true honor to form this connection between Seth Wadley of Perry and the Cowgirls.”

Perry held the lead most of the game, but Edmond rallied for a slim 5-4 win. The small town team accounted themselves really well. It was a grand night.

“What makes this partnership with the Seth Wadley dealerships in Perry so special is the fact that our entire team gets to be part of it, even those from last year’s team who have exhausted their eligibility,” OSU coach Kenny Gajewski said. “It’s a great boost to these women, and to the sport of softball, to see our student-athletes recognized for the heartfelt impact they have on their fans and our community.”

Gajewski told me in a radio interview on Monday that he had not heard of any other NCAA softball program having this kind of deal and he was certain it would be out if they did. He feels the Cowgirls are showing the rest of NCAA softball how to do name-image-and-likeness.

I think the town of Perry, Okla. and the Seth Wadley dealerships there would wholeheartedly agree.