About Us
As former NCAA athletes, we understand and appreciate the needs of the student athlete in creating and promoting their NIL while on the journey to becoming a professional athlete.
As experienced NIL professionals, we will assist the student athlete in capitalizing and protecting their NIL throughout that journey.
Contact us at: (703) 304-0298
OUR TEAM
Tara Sakraida Parker, Esq
CEO and Co-Founder
Tara is an experienced business attorney, professional gift planner, and successful nonprofit fundraiser living in Washington, D.C. For nearly a decade, Tara handled sophisticated real estate finance and land use regulatory issues as a business attorney. Before moving to D.C., Tara served as Director of Gift Planning and Director of Major Gifts at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she helped solicit and close one of the largest gifts to the UCLA College of Letters and Science.
Tara worked her way through college and law school, and earned a number of academic, vocal music, and debate scholarships which made higher education possible. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. from Regis University, a Jesuit college in Denver, Colorado, and received a J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2003.
Tara is a 5th generation Oregonian from rural southern Oregon, and her education was key in opening many doors. She strives to live the Jesuit’s motto and “act in service to others,” supporting a number of nonprofit organizations in the Washington, D.C. community.
Tara is a member of the American Bar Association, Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industry.
Todd “TJ” Calabrese
Co-Founder and Director of Strategic Partnerships
TJ’s athletic ability was noticed at a young age, growing up in a family of Division 1 athletes. TJ played football and lacrosse for St. Johns College High School in Washington, D.C., and went on to play Division 1 football at the University of Toledo. TJ is a relationship-builder and dealmaker focused on achieving the best possible outcome for his clients with integrity. With a plethora of relationships in both the world of business and sports, his reach is broad and deep.
Elizabeth Kritza
Director of Operations and Strategic Growth
Elizabeth (Liz) Kritza is a sports professional and former collegiate coach with more than two decades of experience working in the collegiate sports world. She has been educating elite student athletes and their families about NIL since 2021, and consults for NIL startups. Liz is a sought after speaker at schools with world class athletic programs, educating about NIL and navigating the challenges of athlete representation. Liz served as the Head Volleyball Coach at Tulane University and University of Colorado building a reputation for resurrecting programs to elite level status. Her teams have won multiple conference titles with players earning national recognition. She has coached over 20 All-Americans and was named Coach of the Year multiple times by the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association), C-USA, and sportswriters organizations. At Tulane University, Kritza led the program in her first year as a head coach in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and all the seemingly insurmountable challenges that environment presented. Liz has served on many NCAA Ranking and All-American Selection Committees and was heavily involved in Diversity and Equity activities. A staunch advocate for youth involvement in sport, Liz supports many community and nonprofit endeavors promoting education and empowering young people, especially girls in sports. She served on the Board and was the Director of Girls First in New Orleans for many years. Kritza has a B.S. from Tulane University and an MBA from the A.B. Freeman School of Business.
Shari Ulery
General Counsel
In her role as a U.S. diplomat, Shari implemented U.S. policy as part of leadership teams working in challenging and complex political and security environments in Latin America, Asia, and Africa and at the U.N. She worked closely with U.S. government leaders and elected representatives, and forged productive relationships with elected officials at all levels of government. As lead in multilateral negotiations and interagency working groups, she developed strategies to implement U.S. policy goals in international organizations, balancing competing interests from political, governmental and civil society groups.
In her role as general counsel, senior corporate counsel and executive in both private corporations and in Fortune 500 public corporations, Shari managed legal department budgets and personnel, corporate contracts and compliance, helped develop and implement corporate strategy and goals, and managed the successful conclusion of numerous complex projects such as mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructurings. Shari also was special counsel at a boutique law firm doing real estate, contracts, land use and oil and gas, and was a registered lobbyist.
Shari received an M.A. in International Relations from the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, a J.D. from Drake University and a B.S. in Spanish from Iowa State University.
Marie Thomas
Director of Finances
Marie is an experienced Finance professional with two decades working in the finance and accounting field. She has worked in several industries including commodity and specialty chemicals, alternative energy and luxury jewelry.
Growing up outside Denver, Colorado, Marie was able to participate in many women’s sports. In high school she was part of the cross country team, the basketball team and the soccer team. After choosing her favorite sport, soccer, Marie earned a scholarship to the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo, Colorado. She played four years for the Division II team while earning an Academic All-Conference award.
Marie graduated from University of Southern Colorado with a degree in Business Management.
Noelle MacNair
Director of Education and Communications
Noelle is a seasoned educator with a Master’s Degree in Educational Policy and Administration from Portland State University. With twenty years of experience working for colleges and universities, including roles at Concordia University, she has a deep commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments for all students. Noelle’s extensive experience in communications and marketing within higher education has been instrumental in effectively reaching and engaging diverse student populations. She is particularly passionate about empowering first-generation college students to achieve their academic and professional goals. Noelle’s strategic approach to event planning and marketing, coupled with her proficiency in communications software, enables her to support students’ transitions into university and career, ensuring their academic and professional success.
Libby Jern
Coordinator of Athlete Relations
Charlie Soven
Intern
I am a 17-year-old rising senior at Washington International School, which I have now begun to appreciate, considering it has led me to become fluent in French. I find this opportunity to be an intern at an agency in the rapidly growing industry to be an amazing chance to pursue something I’m really interested in outside of my in-school economics class. Ideally, I eventually want to become an agent myself. I currently play tennis, but growing up I played a lot of baseball. I’ve always been fascinated by the excitement that comes with both watching and playing a sport. However, as I’ve grown up, the personal and off-the-field side of it has become much more intriguing to me. In the future, I aspire to impact the lives of athletes, helping them navigate their careers and achieve their goals enabled by all the hard work they have put in to get to that point.
Basketball Division
Pep Stanciel
Director of Prime 1 Sports Basketball
Chantel (Pep) Stanciel, Jr. is a dynamic entrepreneur and former professional basketball player with a passion for sports management and training. Graduating from Columbia College in 2016 with a degree in Sports Management, Pep embarked on a successful career playing basketball professionally in Europe for two seasons. In 2017, he founded Gol1ve, a renowned training and consulting business, where he has coached high-level athletes such as Michael Porter Jr, Isiaih Mosley, Aaron Rowe and Dajuan Harris. Additionally, Pep is the visionary behind Prise Academy, a prestigious prep school catering to both aspiring entrepreneurs and elite basketball players. With his extensive experience and dedication to excellence, Pep continues to make a significant impact in both the sports and business worlds.
Andrew Zanfagna
Coordinator of Player Development
Andrew Zanfagna brings a unique skill set from both a basketball and business perspective. Andrew grew up playing AAU basketball and has experience coaching on multiple AAU levels. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2023, earning an undergraduate business degree from Wharton School where he concentrated in Management and minored in Psychology. Andrew also has experience working for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and was most recently the Manager of Basketball Operations for Pallacanestro Trieste in Italy. Andrew’s experience in various facets of the business of basketball makes him an important piece to Prime 1’s basketball division.
Football Division
Brandon Grimes
Player Personnel
Brandon has built his name and reputation as a primary resource & contact for players and families looking to learn and benefit from the ever-changing college recruiting and NIL landscapes. Through the company he founded, DMV Hype, Brandon has established many high level relationships and partnerships such as: Rehab 2 Perform, Museum Clothing, NFL Flag Football and Puma Athletic Apparel. Brandon spearheads many community outreach efforts, including working with Montgomery County Public Schools, as well providing team sponsorships, recruiting trips and player enrichment services, often free of charge to families in need. He has established himself as one of the leading figures in youth and high school sports in the DMV area, while also staying connected and giving back to the communities in which he works and lives.
Josh Walker
Player Personnel
Joshua Walker hails from St. Louis, MO, and brings over a decade of experience in player and family relations within the sports industry. With a passion for fostering strong connections and providing unparalleled support, Josh has played a pivotal role in guiding over 200 athletes and their families through every step of their journey. Known for his unwavering commitment to understanding the unique needs of each individual, Josh has earned a reputation for building trust and delivering exceptional service. Josh’s expertise in navigating the complexities of high school and collegiate football and basketball, combined with his dedication to empower athletes and their families, makes Josh an invaluable asset to our team.
Deric Davis
Player Personnel
Deric is considered an influential figure in the sports marketing industry, recognized for his dynamic leadership style, strong relationships, and meticulous attention to detail. Deric’s early life, marked by a lack of guidance and mentorship, instilled in him a deep appreciation for supporting and mentoring others. Initially drawn to a career in law enforcement, his path shifted after receiving an offer to play college football. He quickly realized that effecting positive change begins with empowering youth and communities. Deric, a former Division 1 football student athlete at University of Oregon and Portland State, holds a degree in Communications. His own athletic and academic journey has equipped him with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. With a keen understanding of the NIL industry’s ever-evolving landscape, Deric has foresight in identifying needs and opportunities for growth for his clients.
AFFILIATE PARTNERS
Ahmal Marsh
Affiliate Professional Services
Being one of six children and growing up in a blue-collar family from Jamaica Queens, college seemed to be an unattainable goal for Ahmal. But through hard work and determination, he obtained a partial scholarship to and graduated from St. Johns University.
Today Ahmal is a father, husband, and the founding Managing Partner at SLUSA Productions. He is a performance driven marketing and creative executive in both the startup and corporate environments. In running his agency, he demonstrates and delivers visionary leadership, strategic expertise, and creative solutions for brands such as, CRUX KITCHEN, BMW, KIA, Viacom, Def Jam, Roc Nation, Uptown Magazine, Cult of Individuality, Discover Boating, and DETOUR. His focus is in designing and planning wide scale projects, and identifying new opportunities for growth, and developing value propositions that reposition brand recognition, and increase revenue.
Liam Dirlam
Affiliate Professional Services
Liam is an Art Director/Video Editor/Sound Engineer with over 12 years of work experience at NYC-based marketing agencies, multi-media production companies, and post-houses. His client list includes Nike, Reebok, Ralph Lauren, Puma, Beats by Dre, Sony Music, Def Jam, Google, SiriusXM, Panasonic, Viacom, Nat Geo, Red Bull, Apple TV+, Netflix, and Hulu. Liam has worked closely with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa, The Black Keys, and Kygo. He can also throw a football a quarter mile.
Brian Calabrese
Affiliate Professional Services
As a former Quarterback for Georgia Tech, Brian understands how to command a team. Brian has over three decades of senior management experience working with some of the largest companies in the sporting world, including Under Armour and Riddell. Brian is a licensed NIL Agent and specializes in Sports Marketing and Brand Partnerships.
INterns
Florida State University
Gloria Muzito
Gloria Muzito is a Division I international student-athlete at Florida State University, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sports management with a minor in education. Currently in her senior year, Muzito has been selected as the captain of her swimming team. Throughout her college career, she has represented FSU in the NCAA and ACC championships and has competed internationally for her home country of Uganda, including at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships, African Aquatics Championships, African Games, and most recently, the Olympics in Paris. Despite her active athletic career, Muzito aspires to support other young athletes in achieving their long-term goals while also deepening her knowledge of athlete representation and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness).
Anthony Dickinson
Anthony is currently getting his Master’s Degree at Florida State University in Sport Management. Before joining Prime 1 Sports, Anthony worked as a writer for EnforceTheSport as an intern journalist, studying data and statistics to be able to write accurate articles. During his undergraduate at Florida State, Anthony worked as an intern at Game Plan, where he helped build their youth sports database and learned much about the marketplace of high school athletics. Anthony grew up playing baseball and golf all of his life in Tampa, Florida and is looking to utilize his knowledge of sport to help student athletes in their pursuit of greatness.
Lia Sorrentino
Lia is currently an undergraduate student at Florida State University and is on the path to receive her Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and eventually her Master’s in Sport Management. With the ultimate goal of being either a sports agent or a sports lawyer, Lia is passionate about topics such as NIL, recruiting, and sports analytics. Having been an athlete almost her entire life, Lia looks forward to beginning her journey of having a successful career in the sports industry. Through this internship, she hopes to expand her knowledge on NIL and sports law.
Georgetown University
Chad Bletko
Chad Bletko, born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, has had his life profoundly shaped by his passion for sports. This enthusiasm has instilled in him valuable life skills such as hard work, dedication, and loyalty. After playing college football at George Fox University and earning a degree in marketing and management, Bletko pursued various coaching roles at the high school level in both football and basketball. His experiences as a player and coach have underscored the transformative impact a great coach can have on young athletes. This realization has driven him to pursue a career in the sports industry, recognizing the power of sports and the significance of effective mentorship. Currently, Bletko is attending Georgetown University to earn a Master’s in Sports Industry Management. He aims to apply his education to impart the core principles he has gained through sports and assist athletes in achieving his dreams.
Victoria Gelosi
Victoria Gelosi, a graduate student at Georgetown University, is currently pursuing her Master’s in Sports Industry Management. She graduated summa cum laude from Virginia Tech in 2023 with a B.A. in Communications for Sports Media and Analytics and a B.S. in Business – Management. Having grown up as a multi-sport athlete, sports have always been a central part of her life, and she cannot imagine working in any other industry. During her academic journey, Gelosi discovered her aspiration for a career in a sports agency and is excited to continue pursuing that path with Prime 1 this semester.
Matt Becker
Matt Becker is a recent graduate of James Madison University, where he majored in Sports and Recreation Management with a minor in General Business. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Industry Management at Georgetown University. Through this program, Matt aims to work in the field of collegiate NIL (Name, Image, Likeness).
Xiyuan Zhang
Xiyuan Zhang is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Sports Business Industry Management at Georgetown University. Prior to joining Prime 1 Sports, Zhang gained valuable experience as a strategic licensing and branding intern at NBA China, Tencent Sports, and the FIBA headquarters. His roles included content production, business coordination, new market exploration, and extensive event preparation. Zhang graduated in 2024 with a degree in Economics from Stevens Institute of Technology, where he also played collegiate basketball. In the summer of 2024, he represented Team Hong Kong in The Asian Tournament.
Grace Adamczak
Grace Adamczak is currently a graduate student at Georgetown University, pursuing a master’s degree in Sports Industry Management. She recently graduated from Old Dominion University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and a minor in Communications. Before interning with Prime 1 Sports, she was a facility and events operations intern within the Old Dominion University Athletic Department. While at ODU, she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, where she built lasting connections. Her childhood involvement in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse fueled her passion for working on the business side of sports. She is excited to see what this internship has in store for her as she is eager to delve further into the business side of sports, particularly within the player services industry.
Kela Leatherwood
A former collegiate athlete, Kela received her bachelor’s degree from The University of Alabama and is currently pursuing her master’s degree from Georgetown University. She is a track and field coach and holds professional certifications through USATF, while also serving on the youth committee for the Alabama Association and being a representative for the Women’s Commission for the state of Alabama with USATF. She now works as a Recreation Administrator for a local city municipality.
What is NIL
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contracts and deals refer to agreements between athletes and third-party entities, such as brands, businesses, or marketing agencies, allowing these entities to use the athlete’s name, image, and likeness for promotional or commercial purposes. These contracts and deals are essential for soon-to-be ranked college athletes for several reasons:
- Monetization: NIL contracts and deals provide opportunities for athletes to monetize their personal brand and image. Athletes can earn money by endorsing products, making appearances, participating in marketing campaigns, and more.
- Financial Support: College athletes can use NIL contracts to supplement their income, helping to cover expenses such as tuition, housing, and living costs, which are not covered by athletic scholarships.
- Career Building: NIL deals allow athletes to start building their personal brand and reputation early, even before they enter professional sports. This can open doors to future opportunities and career options beyond athletics.
- Recognition and Exposure: Working with brands through NIL deals can significantly increase an athlete’s visibility and recognition, both nationally and within their sport. This exposure can boost an athlete’s marketability and career prospects.
- Education and Experience: By participating in NIL deals, athletes gain valuable real-world experience in marketing, negotiations, and business, which can be a valuable asset in their future careers.
- Fair Compensation: NIL contracts empower athletes to receive fair compensation for their hard work and talent, addressing concerns about the exploitation of student-athletes by institutions and organizations.
- Control over Personal Brand: Athletes can choose brands and deals that align with their values and personal brand, ensuring they are comfortable with the products and messages they endorse.
In summary, NIL contracts and deals are important for soon-to-be ranked college athletes because they provide financial support, career-building opportunities, recognition, and exposure while allowing athletes to control their personal brand and receive fair compensation for their talents and hard work. These deals empower athletes to make the most of their name, image, and likeness both during and after their college careers.