Brian Nicklas Rosario
@beeeeroe32.bsky.social
Strategic consultant for athletic departments specializing in women's and Olympic sports revenue activation.
20+ years D1 women's basketball coaching. ESPN analyst.
BNRAdvisoryGroup.com
20+ years D1 women's basketball coaching. ESPN analyst.
BNRAdvisoryGroup.com
The Seahawks won the Super Bowl because their coach built trust and culture.
Most athletic directors ask their women's basketball coaches to do the exact same thing with donors—but give them zero tools to do it.
Then wonder why fundraising stays flat.
That's the gap. 🧵
Most athletic directors ask their women's basketball coaches to do the exact same thing with donors—but give them zero tools to do it.
Then wonder why fundraising stays flat.
That's the gap. 🧵
February 10, 2026 at 5:34 AM
The Seahawks won the Super Bowl because their coach built trust and culture.
Most athletic directors ask their women's basketball coaches to do the exact same thing with donors—but give them zero tools to do it.
Then wonder why fundraising stays flat.
That's the gap. 🧵
Most athletic directors ask their women's basketball coaches to do the exact same thing with donors—but give them zero tools to do it.
Then wonder why fundraising stays flat.
That's the gap. 🧵
Watching the Super Bowl preview and thinking about transitions.
Not just career transitions. The moment when you realize the game you've been playing your entire life isn't the game you're supposed to play next.
That moment terrifies most people. It freed me.
Here's what I mean: 🧵
Not just career transitions. The moment when you realize the game you've been playing your entire life isn't the game you're supposed to play next.
That moment terrifies most people. It freed me.
Here's what I mean: 🧵
February 8, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Watching the Super Bowl preview and thinking about transitions.
Not just career transitions. The moment when you realize the game you've been playing your entire life isn't the game you're supposed to play next.
That moment terrifies most people. It freed me.
Here's what I mean: 🧵
Not just career transitions. The moment when you realize the game you've been playing your entire life isn't the game you're supposed to play next.
That moment terrifies most people. It freed me.
Here's what I mean: 🧵
Wealth screening tells you who CAN give.
Readiness profiling tells you who WILL give.
Most athletic departments only do the first one. Then wonder why conversion rates are 15-20% instead of 50-70%.
The gap isn't the donors. It's the methodology.
Readiness profiling tells you who WILL give.
Most athletic departments only do the first one. Then wonder why conversion rates are 15-20% instead of 50-70%.
The gap isn't the donors. It's the methodology.
February 4, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Wealth screening tells you who CAN give.
Readiness profiling tells you who WILL give.
Most athletic departments only do the first one. Then wonder why conversion rates are 15-20% instead of 50-70%.
The gap isn't the donors. It's the methodology.
Readiness profiling tells you who WILL give.
Most athletic departments only do the first one. Then wonder why conversion rates are 15-20% instead of 50-70%.
The gap isn't the donors. It's the methodology.
Coach Jack asking 37 billionaires to "see what we're doing" is backwards.
Find out what they already care about. Then show how Syracuse connects.
Leadership? Team GPA. Equity? Travel.
Different narrative.
Find out what they already care about. Then show how Syracuse connects.
Leadership? Team GPA. Equity? Travel.
Different narrative.
January 30, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Coach Jack asking 37 billionaires to "see what we're doing" is backwards.
Find out what they already care about. Then show how Syracuse connects.
Leadership? Team GPA. Equity? Travel.
Different narrative.
Find out what they already care about. Then show how Syracuse connects.
Leadership? Team GPA. Equity? Travel.
Different narrative.
2013. First fundraising job in Indiana.
Lesson: Don't ask donors to come to you. Meet them where they are.
Find what they care about. Show how your mission connects.
That's systematic outreach.
Lesson: Don't ask donors to come to you. Meet them where they are.
Find what they care about. Show how your mission connects.
That's systematic outreach.
January 30, 2026 at 6:56 PM
2013. First fundraising job in Indiana.
Lesson: Don't ask donors to come to you. Meet them where they are.
Find what they care about. Show how your mission connects.
That's systematic outreach.
Lesson: Don't ask donors to come to you. Meet them where they are.
Find what they care about. Show how your mission connects.
That's systematic outreach.
ADs who unlock $500K+ in annual fundraising aren't waiting until season ends to activate donors.
The position coaches with community/alumni BEFORE season starts.
Cultivate relationships DURING season when emotional connection peaks.
Strategic networking + emotional timing = fundraising success.
The position coaches with community/alumni BEFORE season starts.
Cultivate relationships DURING season when emotional connection peaks.
Strategic networking + emotional timing = fundraising success.
January 28, 2026 at 11:46 PM
ADs who unlock $500K+ in annual fundraising aren't waiting until season ends to activate donors.
The position coaches with community/alumni BEFORE season starts.
Cultivate relationships DURING season when emotional connection peaks.
Strategic networking + emotional timing = fundraising success.
The position coaches with community/alumni BEFORE season starts.
Cultivate relationships DURING season when emotional connection peaks.
Strategic networking + emotional timing = fundraising success.
The development offices that succeed aren't trying to manage everything.
They focus on major campaigns ($100K+ donors, 3-5 year timelines).
And they build sport-specific infrastructure for annual fundraising ($5K-$25K donors, 90-day cycles).
Different systems. Both work better.
They focus on major campaigns ($100K+ donors, 3-5 year timelines).
And they build sport-specific infrastructure for annual fundraising ($5K-$25K donors, 90-day cycles).
Different systems. Both work better.
January 26, 2026 at 7:03 PM
The development offices that succeed aren't trying to manage everything.
They focus on major campaigns ($100K+ donors, 3-5 year timelines).
And they build sport-specific infrastructure for annual fundraising ($5K-$25K donors, 90-day cycles).
Different systems. Both work better.
They focus on major campaigns ($100K+ donors, 3-5 year timelines).
And they build sport-specific infrastructure for annual fundraising ($5K-$25K donors, 90-day cycles).
Different systems. Both work better.
Today's schedule:
Son's First Communion retreat ✅
Youth soccer game ✅
Alma mater basketball game (tonight)
Date night before wife's business trip (tonight)
Zero hours for business.
My son won't be 8 forever.
These moments won't wait.
The business will.
Son's First Communion retreat ✅
Youth soccer game ✅
Alma mater basketball game (tonight)
Date night before wife's business trip (tonight)
Zero hours for business.
My son won't be 8 forever.
These moments won't wait.
The business will.
January 24, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Today's schedule:
Son's First Communion retreat ✅
Youth soccer game ✅
Alma mater basketball game (tonight)
Date night before wife's business trip (tonight)
Zero hours for business.
My son won't be 8 forever.
These moments won't wait.
The business will.
Son's First Communion retreat ✅
Youth soccer game ✅
Alma mater basketball game (tonight)
Date night before wife's business trip (tonight)
Zero hours for business.
My son won't be 8 forever.
These moments won't wait.
The business will.
The assistant coaches who become head coaches aren't the ones with the most years of experience.
They're the ones who can say: "I've raised $150K from my network. Here's my donor pipeline."
Major gift fundraising = the skill that changes the interview.
They're the ones who can say: "I've raised $150K from my network. Here's my donor pipeline."
Major gift fundraising = the skill that changes the interview.
January 23, 2026 at 7:16 PM
The assistant coaches who become head coaches aren't the ones with the most years of experience.
They're the ones who can say: "I've raised $150K from my network. Here's my donor pipeline."
Major gift fundraising = the skill that changes the interview.
They're the ones who can say: "I've raised $150K from my network. Here's my donor pipeline."
Major gift fundraising = the skill that changes the interview.
The transition from coach to consultant isn't about learning new skills.
It's about learning how to explain the skills you already have.
Different game. Same fundamentals.
It's about learning how to explain the skills you already have.
Different game. Same fundamentals.
January 22, 2026 at 9:15 PM
The transition from coach to consultant isn't about learning new skills.
It's about learning how to explain the skills you already have.
Different game. Same fundamentals.
It's about learning how to explain the skills you already have.
Different game. Same fundamentals.
Hot take: Athletic departments will never solve their revenue problems until they stop treating all alumni the same.
Political campaigns don't send the same message to every voter.
Why does atheltics?!
Campaign-level donor segmentation changes everything.
Profile. Segment. Personalize. Close.
Political campaigns don't send the same message to every voter.
Why does atheltics?!
Campaign-level donor segmentation changes everything.
Profile. Segment. Personalize. Close.
January 20, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Hot take: Athletic departments will never solve their revenue problems until they stop treating all alumni the same.
Political campaigns don't send the same message to every voter.
Why does atheltics?!
Campaign-level donor segmentation changes everything.
Profile. Segment. Personalize. Close.
Political campaigns don't send the same message to every voter.
Why does atheltics?!
Campaign-level donor segmentation changes everything.
Profile. Segment. Personalize. Close.
ADs segment donors by past giving ($0-$99, $100-$999, $1K+).
Problem: Past giving ≠ capacity.
The donor giving $100/year might be a retired teacher with a $1.4M home who gave $5K to her church.
She's a $10K capacity donor giving at $100 because that's what you asked for.
Problem: Past giving ≠ capacity.
The donor giving $100/year might be a retired teacher with a $1.4M home who gave $5K to her church.
She's a $10K capacity donor giving at $100 because that's what you asked for.
January 15, 2026 at 6:29 PM
ADs segment donors by past giving ($0-$99, $100-$999, $1K+).
Problem: Past giving ≠ capacity.
The donor giving $100/year might be a retired teacher with a $1.4M home who gave $5K to her church.
She's a $10K capacity donor giving at $100 because that's what you asked for.
Problem: Past giving ≠ capacity.
The donor giving $100/year might be a retired teacher with a $1.4M home who gave $5K to her church.
She's a $10K capacity donor giving at $100 because that's what you asked for.
Women's sports are having a moment.
But after 20 years coaching, here's what keeps me thinking: Moments don't fund programs. Systems do.
I've watched programs get cut during budget season because cultural attention doesn't automatically translate into sustainable funding.
Build now.
But after 20 years coaching, here's what keeps me thinking: Moments don't fund programs. Systems do.
I've watched programs get cut during budget season because cultural attention doesn't automatically translate into sustainable funding.
Build now.
January 14, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Women's sports are having a moment.
But after 20 years coaching, here's what keeps me thinking: Moments don't fund programs. Systems do.
I've watched programs get cut during budget season because cultural attention doesn't automatically translate into sustainable funding.
Build now.
But after 20 years coaching, here's what keeps me thinking: Moments don't fund programs. Systems do.
I've watched programs get cut during budget season because cultural attention doesn't automatically translate into sustainable funding.
Build now.
When ADs ask "how do we prioritize donors," the real question is: can you see who's an empty nester with $1M+ net worth vs. who's a young alum paying off student loans?
If you can't see it, you can't prioritize it.
Everyone gets mass emails. Capacity stays dormant.
If you can't see it, you can't prioritize it.
Everyone gets mass emails. Capacity stays dormant.
January 13, 2026 at 8:38 PM
When ADs ask "how do we prioritize donors," the real question is: can you see who's an empty nester with $1M+ net worth vs. who's a young alum paying off student loans?
If you can't see it, you can't prioritize it.
Everyone gets mass emails. Capacity stays dormant.
If you can't see it, you can't prioritize it.
Everyone gets mass emails. Capacity stays dormant.
There's an alum who drives 3 hours to your road games. Shows up when you're 2-8. Shows up when you're 18-2.
You think: "Great supporter. Probably gives $500/year."
But without profiling, you don't know she's an empty nester who owns a $1.6M home.
That's a segmentation problem.
You think: "Great supporter. Probably gives $500/year."
But without profiling, you don't know she's an empty nester who owns a $1.6M home.
That's a segmentation problem.
January 13, 2026 at 5:58 PM
There's an alum who drives 3 hours to your road games. Shows up when you're 2-8. Shows up when you're 18-2.
You think: "Great supporter. Probably gives $500/year."
But without profiling, you don't know she's an empty nester who owns a $1.6M home.
That's a segmentation problem.
You think: "Great supporter. Probably gives $500/year."
But without profiling, you don't know she's an empty nester who owns a $1.6M home.
That's a segmentation problem.
Forty/Nine. 🥃
Forty-Nine
What my first birthday outside of coaching taught me about who I actually am
open.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Forty/Nine. 🥃
Many head coaches are told: "Do more fundraising."
Without training. Without systems. Without time.
That's not a plan. That's burnout.
The solution: Teach your staff to fundraise while they're already recruiting.
Same skills. Different outcome.
Without training. Without systems. Without time.
That's not a plan. That's burnout.
The solution: Teach your staff to fundraise while they're already recruiting.
Same skills. Different outcome.
December 18, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Many head coaches are told: "Do more fundraising."
Without training. Without systems. Without time.
That's not a plan. That's burnout.
The solution: Teach your staff to fundraise while they're already recruiting.
Same skills. Different outcome.
Without training. Without systems. Without time.
That's not a plan. That's burnout.
The solution: Teach your staff to fundraise while they're already recruiting.
Same skills. Different outcome.
ADs ask: "How do we raise more money?"
Better question: "Why are we leaving millions on the table?"
Your database has empty nesters, young professionals, past parents worth millions.
They're there. You just haven't profiled them.
Better question: "Why are we leaving millions on the table?"
Your database has empty nesters, young professionals, past parents worth millions.
They're there. You just haven't profiled them.
December 15, 2025 at 5:39 PM
ADs ask: "How do we raise more money?"
Better question: "Why are we leaving millions on the table?"
Your database has empty nesters, young professionals, past parents worth millions.
They're there. You just haven't profiled them.
Better question: "Why are we leaving millions on the table?"
Your database has empty nesters, young professionals, past parents worth millions.
They're there. You just haven't profiled them.
$2.5M homeowners with grown children = your untapped donor pool.
They have discretionary income. Connection to your program. Time to give back.
Athletic departments send them generic appeals.
Campaigns profile them, message accordingly, and convert.
That's the difference.
They have discretionary income. Connection to your program. Time to give back.
Athletic departments send them generic appeals.
Campaigns profile them, message accordingly, and convert.
That's the difference.
December 12, 2025 at 3:08 PM
$2.5M homeowners with grown children = your untapped donor pool.
They have discretionary income. Connection to your program. Time to give back.
Athletic departments send them generic appeals.
Campaigns profile them, message accordingly, and convert.
That's the difference.
They have discretionary income. Connection to your program. Time to give back.
Athletic departments send them generic appeals.
Campaigns profile them, message accordingly, and convert.
That's the difference.
Most assistant coaches think the path is: work harder → stay loyal → eventually get promoted.
The reality? Your current AD probably won't promote you. Not because you're not good enough. Because they've already categorized you.
Build external credibility. Create options.
What’s your HC brand?
The reality? Your current AD probably won't promote you. Not because you're not good enough. Because they've already categorized you.
Build external credibility. Create options.
What’s your HC brand?
December 11, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Most assistant coaches think the path is: work harder → stay loyal → eventually get promoted.
The reality? Your current AD probably won't promote you. Not because you're not good enough. Because they've already categorized you.
Build external credibility. Create options.
What’s your HC brand?
The reality? Your current AD probably won't promote you. Not because you're not good enough. Because they've already categorized you.
Build external credibility. Create options.
What’s your HC brand?
Most ADs are asking: "Can we still afford 18 sports?"
Better question: "What if our Olympic sports could help fund themselves?"
Swimming parents. Track alumni. Volleyball boosters.
That's not a cost center. That's a relationship network worth millions.
Better question: "What if our Olympic sports could help fund themselves?"
Swimming parents. Track alumni. Volleyball boosters.
That's not a cost center. That's a relationship network worth millions.
December 10, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Most ADs are asking: "Can we still afford 18 sports?"
Better question: "What if our Olympic sports could help fund themselves?"
Swimming parents. Track alumni. Volleyball boosters.
That's not a cost center. That's a relationship network worth millions.
Better question: "What if our Olympic sports could help fund themselves?"
Swimming parents. Track alumni. Volleyball boosters.
That's not a cost center. That's a relationship network worth millions.
After 20 years building D1 women's basketball programs, I've learned:
Most ADs are asking the wrong question.
They ask: "How do we find more donors?"
Better question: "How do we activate the relationships our coaches already built?"
Not a donor problem. A system problem.
Most ADs are asking the wrong question.
They ask: "How do we find more donors?"
Better question: "How do we activate the relationships our coaches already built?"
Not a donor problem. A system problem.
December 9, 2025 at 3:21 PM
After 20 years building D1 women's basketball programs, I've learned:
Most ADs are asking the wrong question.
They ask: "How do we find more donors?"
Better question: "How do we activate the relationships our coaches already built?"
Not a donor problem. A system problem.
Most ADs are asking the wrong question.
They ask: "How do we find more donors?"
Better question: "How do we activate the relationships our coaches already built?"
Not a donor problem. A system problem.
Most ADs focus fundraising on football and men's basketball.
Meanwhile, your Olympic sport coaches have 10,000+ untapped donor relationships.
Here's why that's a massive opportunity: 🧵👇
Meanwhile, your Olympic sport coaches have 10,000+ untapped donor relationships.
Here's why that's a massive opportunity: 🧵👇
December 5, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Most ADs focus fundraising on football and men's basketball.
Meanwhile, your Olympic sport coaches have 10,000+ untapped donor relationships.
Here's why that's a massive opportunity: 🧵👇
Meanwhile, your Olympic sport coaches have 10,000+ untapped donor relationships.
Here's why that's a massive opportunity: 🧵👇
What’s better than this view?!
November 27, 2025 at 9:49 PM
What’s better than this view?!
November 10, 2025 at 11:09 PM