Thomas Fels



Projects by Thomas Fels

News Story

Indiana University Swimmers Reflect on NIL

By; Marcella Losso, Maiza Munn, Aleta Shephard, Thomas Fels

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Nov. 5, 2024)

College athletics has and continues to evolve as Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights have changed, giving athletes new opportunities to financially benefit from their talent, even those in less popular sports. Two Indiana University freshmen, Adrianna Lojewski and Claire Stuhlmacher, swim for the school and share their take on how NIL impacts their sports performance and teammates. Galen Clavio also shares how the ever-changing world of NIL has developed and functions through his press conference. 

Lojewski grew up in Florida surrounded by a family of swimmers. She competes as a girl’s sprinter swimmer here at IU. Lojewski chose IU because of its strong swimming program and uplifting environment. Stuhlmacher competes as a distance swimmer which was paved by her past experiences. She has moved countless times in her lifetime, one location being Hawaii, where she competed in open-water swimming starting at a young age. Stuhlmachers made her way to the Junior World Championships, which she says were major stepping stones in her swimming career.

Claire Stuhlmacher (Freshman) in swim practice at Indiana University. Photograph provided by Claire Stuhlmacher.
BLOOMINGTON, IN – November 5, 2024 – Claire Stuhlmacher during the meet between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Counsilman Billingsley Aquatic Center in Bloomington, Indiana. Photo By Trent Barnhart/Indiana Athletics

Both Lojewski and Stuhlmacher have interacted with different opportunities regarding NIL. During Dr. Clavio’s press conference, he discussed how athletes have to do it all on their own,  he discussed how we as humans have the right to benefit from our names, looks, etc. New rights were not made for NIL. “The removal of restrictions that were being imposed by college athletic apartments upon college athletes,” Clavio says.  They find the process straightforward and easy. “It’s as easy as DMing companies or having them reach out to you,” Stuhlmacher said. With such an easy process they have been able to focus on creating a personal brand specifically through social media. Social media gives athletes a platform to present a good, positive image to gain more partnerships with brands. “You don’t have space limitations in social media,” Dr. Clavio says. 

Some people wonder if there is pressure for athletes to secure NIL deals within their sports. Both Lojewski and Stuhlmacher say it does not take away from their focus but it pushes them to a deeper commitment to swimming. “It just shows our dedication; nobody is trying to outdo each other,” Lojewski says. IU’s swimming community stays strong as each athlete supports one another in opportunities and successes. Including things like reposting one another’s social media and helping them film content. 

Adrianna Lojewski competes in distance swimming at Indiana University.
BLOOMINGTON, IN- November 5, 2024 Adrianna Lojewski, distance swimmer, practices for her upcoming race in Counsilman Billingsley Aquatic Center in Bloomington, Indiana.Photo By Trent Barnhart/Indiana Athletics

Oftentimes people question the fairness of NIL, considering there are less prominent sports such as swimming. Lojewski and Stuhlmacher both see this issue and acknowledge it because some sports are so popular. They still appreciate their opportunities and take advantage of them. “We understand that larger sports may attract more attention, but any chance to pursue NIL is a good one for us,” Stuhlmacher says. Dr. Clavio also discusses how certain schools do not have the financial stability to support NIL as much as others do. “There are too many teams in the mix who do not have the financial resources to compete,” Clavio says. The pool is so big and it all depends on the success of these schools’ athletics to gain these financial resources to compete. 

IU has invested a great amount of time and money into supporting its athletes and their NIL experiences. They have hosted NIL fairs and give athletes direction on how to navigate their opportunities and learn more about the topic. Lojewski and Stuhlmacher explained how appreciative they are of IU’s support because it has allowed them to feel confident in their decisions and feel well-educated on NIL. Dr. Clavio also expresses how important he thinks it is to educate student-athletes starting at the high school level when deals may start to come their way. 

Dr. Galen Clavio presents to press conference on NIL in college athletics
BLOOMINGTON, IN – November 5, 2024 Dr. Galen Clavio presents press conference on NIL in college athletics to students. Based at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Photo taken by Mike Badrov

The NIL world will continue to develop and athletes like Lojewski and Stuhlmacher believe that colleges should make it a point to educate their athletes to make sure they have a grasp on how to manage their NIL deals to their fullest advantage. These swimmers also believe that equality needs to come to fruition to make sure all athletes’ hard work can pay off through NIL. As athletes work their way through this new era with the support of their colleges they can benefit from their sports even those in less “popular” sports. The future holds many opportunities for Lojewski and Stuhlmacher along with all the other athletes looking to monetize from the NIL world.

https://youtu.be/nD9EhSCfPW4?si=sfIz_ImMEE5QAZC4

BLOOMINGTON, IN – November 5, 2024 Voxpop interview on Indiana University campus and Kirkwood Avenue in Bloomington, Indiana to determine public opinion on college athletes receiving NIL benefits. Video taken/edited by Maiza Munn and Thomas Fels

Public Relations Story

Apple Reveals the “Next Chapter in Our Story” During Keynote

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Apple Reveals the “Next Chapter in Our Story” During Keynote

Media Contacts
Nicole Dettmer
nihdett@iu.edu
Saige Arnold
svarnold@iu.edu
Thomas Fels
thfels@iu.edu

CUPERTINO, California (Sept. 9, 2014) — A new chapter in smart technology was unveiled this past Tuesday at Apple Headquarters in Cupertino, CA as Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, unveiled their latest device, the Apple Watch, to a very enthusiastic audience. The watch was revealed during Apple’s “One More Thing…” at the end of the September 9, 2014 keynote speech. “We love to make great products that really enrich people’s lives. … We love to make technology more personal and allow our users to do things they never could have imagined,” Cook said to the audience. Cook also stated that he believes that the Apple Watch will “redefine what people expect from its category.”

During the reveal video, it is shown that there is a great amount of customization that can be made to every watch so that it fits the style and personality of its user.

Iryna Dettmer strolls through the serene surroundings of Coxhall Gardens in Carmel, Indiana, utilizing the innovative fitness feature of her newly launched Apple Watch. Iryna uses the fitness feature to monitor her heart rate, track calories burned, and log the duration of her workout.

“Apple Watch is, of course, made to be worn, and it can be worn all day, for any occasion. It’s as much about personal technology as it is style and taste,” Cook said. While talking about the design of the Apple Watch, specifically the screen, Cook mentioned that it was a challenge to make something that would function well on such a small body. “With every revolutionary product that Apple has created, a breakthrough in user interface was required. … What we didn’t do was take the iPhone and shrink the user interface and strap it on your wrist. The display is too small,” explained Cook.

Cook plays a video narrated by Jony Ive, Apple’s Senior VP of Design. “We’re introducing an unparalleled level of technical innovation, combined with a design that connects with the wearer at an intimate level to both embrace individuality and inspire design,” Ive states. Ive describes the importance of developing an interface that works on such a small screen with the utilization of the digital crown, a device that allows users to scroll, zoom, and return to the home screen. Ive also mentions a new feature, called “Digital Touch”. This feature allows users to connect with other Apple Watch users by tapping your watch screen to get the other person’s attention, as well as share small drawings, or even something as personal as your own heartbeat.

Summer Prince, a student at Indiana University, uses the newly launched Apple Watch. Summer is using the easily accessible calculator feature to complete her math homework.

Ive mentions the design of the screen and ways they made it safe from damage yet still sensitive to touch. He mentions that they chose Sapphire, the second-hardest material behind diamond, to keep the display safe, while also implementing a screen that can sense the difference between a simple tap and a longer press of a button on-screen. Ive then backs up the creativity and individuality of the Apple Watch, talking about each individual watch finish, band, and customization of the home screen.

Apple Watch has limitless possibilities for customization. It can be customized and changed so that it will match your personality, and the ability to customize your Apple Watch’s main screen just adds another layer to the endless possibilities. Apple Watch also has the ability to reply to texts sent to your iPhone with a new technology Apple calls the quick board, which analyzes the text sent and automatically generates replies to the text, so you don’t have to try and type out a message on a tiny screen or pull out your iPhone and respond. You can also use the dictation feature, which allows you to respond to the text with either a voice message or speech-to-text, which takes what you say and writes it as a message as if you wrote it yourself. Apple also integrated its digital assistant, Siri, into the Apple Watch, so you can ask Siri questions without having to take out your iPhone.

Apple also integrated its maps app, so when you need directions to go somewhere, you can get those directions on your wrist. Apple utilizes the Apple Watch’s haptic engine to give you directions for left and right, with each direction having a unique feel so you can differentiate between the two.

With all of these new features, the Apple Watch is the next step in personal technology, with its seamless integration of all the classic features of the iPhone shrunk down into a small, wearable device. As well as its incredible variety of colors, bands, and faces, there’s an Apple Watch for everybody.

Tim Cook shares excitement for their new product, the Apple Watch, while the audience reciprocates the energy.

Apple explains the specialty of the Apple Watches personalization and its high end software.

###