ELON – Elon Athletics announced Tuesday a new jersey patch partnership with Onrise, a leading provider of athlete-focused mental health care, featuring Onrise branding on the uniforms of the Phoenix men's and women's soccer programs throughout the 2026 season. By partnering with Onrise, Elon Athletics gains both a new revenue stream and a trusted mental health resource designed specifically for the unique challenges college athletes face.
 
Both Phoenix soccer programs entered the 2026 season as reigning Coastal Athletic Association champions after earning automatic berths to their respective NCAA Tournaments in 2025. Elon brought Onrise on last year to add additional support for student-athletes to complement their on-campus resources.
 
"College athletics is evolving rapidly, and we're boldly seeking partnerships that drive revenue while also aligning with our values," Elon Director of Athletics Jenn Strawley said. "Onrise is uniquely positioned to deliver on both fronts. This partnership represents exactly the kind of innovative collaboration that elevates Elon, driving additional revenue in a changing landscape while remaining rooted in shared purpose and direct support for our student-athletes. I'm grateful to Kim Quigley and her Onrise team for their innovation, collaboration, and belief in Elon Athletics' vision. I'm excited to see our men's and women's soccer teams proudly represent this dynamic partnership with a jersey patch on their uniforms."
 
Onrise provides a comprehensive network of athlete-focused mental health services, including peer support, licensed clinicians, psychiatric care, and 24/7 crisis support for college athletics programs nationwide. The company recently partnered with Learfield to expand access to specialized mental health care across collegiate sports.
 
Many of the first commercial jersey patch announcements in college athletics have centered on football and men's basketball, backed by national brands. Elon and Learfield applied the new inventory to Olympic sports, where commercial investment has historically been scarce.
 
"Elon's men's and women's soccer teams are reigning conference champions, and even more importantly, they're outstanding young people," said Kim Quigley, CEO of Onrise. "The coaches, the athletic trainers, and the staff at Elon support these student-athletes every day, and most of that work goes unseen. A mental health company on a jersey is unusual, and what it really says is that we are proud of the work already happening inside the athletics department.  My hope is that this partnership shows what's possible when a values-driven business aligns with an institution that shares similar values to support incredible student-athletes."
 
The partnership was developed in collaboration with Elon Sports Properties, Learfield's local team and exclusive multimedia rights holder for Elon Athletics, which manages corporate partnerships, sponsorships, and revenue-generating opportunities for the department.
 
"Today's college athletes face unprecedented expectations and pressures both on and off the field. This partnership demonstrates how forward-thinking athletics departments can create new revenue opportunities while investing in resources that directly impact student-athlete well-being," said Meghan Heinchon, Executive Vice President of Learfield. "We're proud to work alongside Elon Athletics and Onrise to bring a partnership to life that advances both priorities."
    
The Onrise jersey patch will debut for both Phoenix soccer programs during the 2026 season.
 
ABOUT ELON ATHLETICS
Elon Athletics sponsors 17 NCAA Division I sports programs that compete as a member of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). The Phoenix captured seven CAA championships last year, made four NCAA tournament appearances and had all 17 teams achieve a 3.0 GPA or better.  For the fifth straight year, Elon University faculty were ranked No. 1 in the nation for undergraduate teaching. Elon is committed to excellence in competition, academics and the holistic development of student-athletes.
 
ABOUT ONRISE
Founded by Dr. Kim Quigley, Onrise provides comprehensive mental health care specifically designed for athletes at all levels. The platform combines peer support from retired athletes, licensed clinical services, and 24/7 crisis intervention to address the unique mental health challenges facing today's competitive athletes. Learn more at www.onrise.care.
 
ABOUT LEARFIELD
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield's presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
 
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Elon Athletics, follow the Phoenix on X (@ElonPhoenix) and Instagram (@ElonPhoenix).