Beyond Scholarships NIL Money is Available for FEIA Athletes

By Michael Clarkson

Six decades later, our gymnasium remains the same, as well as the Falcons’ nickname for our teams.

But, as I watch FEIA squads play, basketball has come a long way since I was a student here when it was Fort Erie Secondary School in the 1960s. I was a good amateur athlete in hoops and soccer, but I also played hockey and golf throughout the year, which limited my development in one sport and chances to get a scholarship.

It’s now an industry. Falcons like Deng Ngor and Amelia Sow are full-time hoopsters (as well as excellent students) to the point that Deng plays up to 80 games a year, including amateur ball during the summer.

“It’s now a business,” Deng said after being given a scholarship by Ohio State University for next season.

Indeed. Through the NIL payment system (Name, Image and Likeness), high school players can get money from universities beyond their scholarships.

The most dramatic example is A. J. Dybantsa who received an estimated $7 million from Brigham Young University right out of Utah Prep Academy. Just two years ago, the FEIA Falcons defeated his team twice with Deng limiting his scoring.

Dybantsa this year was taken by the Washington Wizards as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.

“(Prep school sports) has become a big business and top players are getting money they deserve,” said Leonard Miller, who was drafted right out of FEIA in 2023 by the NBA and now plays for the Chicago Bulls.

NIL money is not as lucrative on the girls’ side, although cagers can get up to $200,00. The vast disparity comes primarily from the heavy concentration of funds in high-revenue sports like men’s basketball and football.

Falcon stars Amelia Sow (University of California) and Lexee Anderson (University of Minnesota) have accepted scholarships for next season.

The NIL money was only part of Sow’s decision to go to California over many other offers. “You have to like the school, the curriculum, the coach and the program,” she said.

On the boys’ side, scholarships have been accepted for next year for our Totu Akeuntok (St. Louis University) and Junior Jean-Marie (University of New Orleans).

“We are our own businesses now,” Jean-Marie says. “Eventually playing for our national team, and turning pro, and even into the NBA, is a dream for everybody.”

Many other players from both our national teams are expected to get university offers and NIL money in the next year or two.

Currently, there are about 300 Canadian players on NCAA teams.

NIL money is also available to athletes in other sports.

BTW, don’t feel pity for me. I married the yearbook editor from Fort Erie Secondary, the late Jennifer Vanderklei, and now do public relations and sports psychology for FEIA.

And it’s not all business – while Falcons’ games and practices are intense, there is room for fun, warmup music, loud yelps after good plays, and fellowship on and off the court.

“We’re a family and we like one another,” Deng says.