PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

2022

• ICLA Listen & License Podcast - Episode 2 - guest

  • July 1, 2021, marked the beginning of a new era for collegiate athletics. This was the first-day student-athletes were now able to monetize from their Name, Image, and Likeness. Sami Stevens, ICLA Past President, from Founder Sport Group joins Kris and Kyle on the latest episode to discuss NIL...Where we came from...Where we are...Where we are going to be.​

• Founder Sport Group announces Samantha Stevens as senior director of licensing and business development

• ICLA speaker/presenter at Winter Symposium in Louisville, KY​

  • 1st Inning Learnings & Future Game Plans

2021

• Panelist at Michigan Sports Business Conference in Ann Arbor, MI

  • NIL: Claim Your Name​

2020

• ICLA President

• Completed Leadership Lansing course

2019

• Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau - Community Champion Award

• ICLA speaker/presenter at Winter Symposium in San Antonio, TX

  • Crisis Management: How To Deal With The Unexpected

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2018

• ICLA Synergy Award Winner - Licensing Program of the Year (Michigan State University)

  • The Synergy Award is given annually to an exceptional “team” on campus or from a conference that has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to collegiate licensing over the past year and has directly contributed to the betterment of the industry and the institution or organization. The team must also have made significant contributions to the collegiate licensing industry through innovative or new ideas during the current academic year, have played a vital role on campus and in the industry through their leadership, and have demonstrated teamwork/involvement from multiple components in the licensing process.

• Presenter World IP Day Michigan: Protecting Your Brand Globally

• NACMA Young Professionals Panelist, Summer Convention, Washington DC

  • What's In A Brand?

  • Gameday Couture Featured Article - "This Girls Got Game"

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2017

• Collegiate Licensing Company: Campus Integration Award

• Nominated for ICLA Synergy Award - Licensing Program of the Year (Michigan State University)

• Published article in September issue of Athletics Administration Magazine, ICLA Corner 

2016

• Collegiate Licensing Company: College Colors Day Marketer of the Year 

• Operation Hat Trick: Excellence in Service Award Finalist

• Selected as ICLA 3rd Vice President

• ICLA speaker/presenter at Winter Symposium in Houston, TX

  • Hot Market Trends & Best Practices

2015

• Nominated for ICLA Synergy Award - Licensing Program of the Year (Miami University)

• Featured blog from Lillybee U Licensee: Earning Her Stripes

2014

• ICLA speaker/presenter at NACDA conference in Orlando, FL

  • How to Increase Royalties Without On-Field Success

• Presented at Grand Valley State University licensing summit - July

  • Building a Program/Starting Fresh

• Committee chair for ICLA mentorship program 2014-15

2013

• Selected to ICLA Board of Directors 

• Founding member of the Ohio Licensing Consortium

• NACDA live chat panelist

• Published article in February issue of Athletics Administration Magazine, ICLA Corner 

• Serve on awards committee for NACMA conference in Orlando, FL

• Serve on planning committee for ICLA Winter Symposium in Kansas City, MO

2012

• Twenty Questions with Samantha Stevens - Get to know an ICLA Member feature

2011

• Published article in March issue of Athletics Administration Magazine, FCS ADA Corner

• Began serving as ICLA conference representative for the Southern Conference

• ICLA speaker/presenter at Winter Symposium in Houston, TX 

  • From the Stands to the Stores: Game Day Marketing at the FCS/Mid Major Level

• Served on planning committee for ICLA Winter Symposium in Houston, TX

2008

• Nominated for ICLA Synergy Award - Licensing Program of the Year (Appalachian State University)

• ICLA speaker/presenter at the annual NACDA conference in Dallas, TX

  • Turning Big Time Events Into Profits & Promotions

• NACMA Conference (Dallas, TX):

  • Silver Winner in New-Revenue Generating Idea

  • Gold Winner in Basketball Promotional/Schedule Poster 

  • Silver Winner in Promotional T-shirt categories

2007

• Quoted in Sports Business Journal article "Right Place, Right Team" after Appalachian State vs. Michigan epic win - September

• Quoted in USA Today article "Appalachian State Gear Still Sells Well" follow up regarding merchandise sales after Michigan upset.

2006

• Gold Winner in Best Student Promotion category at NACMA Conference (New Orleans, LA)

2005

• Voted Staff Member of the Year 2004-2005 by Wright State University Student Government

• Silver Winner in Best Student Promotion category at NACMA Conference (Orlando, FL)

2004

• Gold Winner in Best Student Promotion category at NACMA Conference (Dallas, TX)