July 28, 2026

Mustang elevates her future with NIL brand deals

For many prospective student-athletes, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities are often associated with NCAA Division I athletics. But Mount Mercy University All-American bowler Savannah Dickson '28 is proving that student-athletes at the NAIA level can also build successful personal brands, partner with nationally recognized companies, and gain valuable professional experience while competing at the highest levels of collegiate athletics.

A marketing major and standout member of Mount Mercy's nationally ranked bowling team, Savannah has partnered with brands including Dr. Scholl's, iHerb, and others through NIL opportunities. By combining her passion for bowling with content creation, she's turning athletic success into a foundation for her future career.

"NIL has allowed me to combine my love for bowling, content creation, and marketing, while also opening doors I never imagined possible," Savannah said.

Savannah's journey began in Round Lake, Illinois, where her father introduced her to bowling at just eight years old. What started as a youth league quickly became a lifelong passion.

 "My dad introduced me to bowling at a young age and coached me throughout my life," she said. "None of this would be possible without him always pushing me to become the best version of myself both on and off the lanes."

 Over the years, bowling became much more than a sport. It gave Savannah lifelong friendships, taught her discipline, and ultimately led her to compete at the collegiate level.

"I've always wanted to push myself to become the best athlete and person I can be," she said.

When it came time to choose a college, Mount Mercy stood out for more than its successful bowling program.

"I wanted to attend a school where I could have one-on-one interactions with professors and truly build relationships instead of feeling like just another number at a larger university," she said.

"I wanted to attend a school where I could have one-on-one interactions with professors and truly build relationships instead of feeling like just another number at a larger university."

Savannah Dickson '28

That close-knit learning environment has allowed Savannah to connect what she's learning in the classroom with opportunities beyond campus.

This past season, the Mustang bowling team enjoyed one of its most successful years in program history, recording seven regular-season victories—including three Tier 1 wins—earning the No. 1 ranking in both the USBC and NAIA RPI rankings, winning the Heart of America Conference Championship, and finishing third at the NAIA National Championship.

Savannah's individual accomplishments matched the team's success. She was named Heart of America Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, First Team All-American, and NCBCA All-American Honorable Mention for the 2025–26 season.

As her visibility in the bowling world grew, so did opportunities to build her personal brand.

She originally began sharing bowling content on social media simply to connect with others who loved the sport. Over time, she expanded into lifestyle and behind-the-scenes content, discovering a passion for storytelling through video and social media.

"I love every part of the process—filming, editing, being creative, and sharing moments of my life with others," Savannah said. "Social media allows people to connect on a much deeper level, and I hope my content encourages others to work hard toward whatever they're passionate about."

Her first NIL opportunities came through Her Campus Media, which connects college students with brands looking for authentic creators. Since then, she's collaborated with more than 20 brands across the beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and sports industries through both gifted and paid partnerships. More recently, she’s been partnering with Postgame, a sports marketing agency known for connecting brands and college athletes.

"I never expected social media and bowling to open so many doors for me, and I know younger me would be so proud of how far I've come," she said. "I'm incredibly grateful for every opportunity and every brand that has believed in me."

Savannah's dad introduced her to bowling at a young age and coached her throughout her life.
Savannah and her parents
Savannah says she's always pushed herself to become the best athlete and person she could be.
Savannah bowling
Savannah says bowling has given her lifelong friendships, taught her discipline, and ultimately led her to compete at the collegiate level.
women's bowling team

For Savannah, NIL is about much more than sponsorships. It's an opportunity to develop skills that will benefit her long after graduation.

"As a marketing major, it's been really cool to apply what I'm learning in the classroom to real-life experiences through NIL and social media," she said. "I've learned about branding, communication, networking, consistency, and how much work goes into building a personal brand."

The experience has also reinforced the value of her Mount Mercy education.

"Mount Mercy has helped prepare me in so many ways both academically and personally," Savannah said. "The smaller class sizes and relationships with professors have allowed me to grow more confident and comfortable asking questions, communicating with others, and applying what I'm learning to real-world situations."

After graduation, Savannah hopes to pursue a career in social media marketing while remaining connected to the sport that has shaped so much of her life.

When asked to describe her Mount Mercy experience in one word, her answer is simple: growth.

"Mount Mercy has helped me grow not only as an athlete, but also as a person, student, leader, and content creator," she said. "Over the past two years, I've gained confidence in myself, built lifelong friendships, and experienced opportunities that younger me could have only dreamed of."

"Mount Mercy has helped prepare me in so many ways both academically and personally. The smaller class sizes and relationships with professors have allowed me to grow more confident and comfortable asking questions, communicating with others, and applying what I'm learning to real-world situations."

Savannah Dickson '28

Savannah's story demonstrates that meaningful NIL opportunities aren't reserved for student-athletes at the nation's largest universities. At Mount Mercy, students can compete at an elite level, receive a personalized education, and build the skills, experiences, and professional connections that prepare them for life after graduation.

By combining athletic excellence with creativity, entrepreneurship, and a willingness to share her story, Savannah is proving that success isn't defined by the size of the stage—it's defined by what you do with the opportunities in front of you.