CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The University of Northern Iowa has announced a new partnership with Motion, bringing Motion Compliance to the Panthers' athletic department. The platform will replace UNI's existing compliance system and give administrators a faster, more reliable way to manage the day-to-day demands of NCAA compliance.
With Motion, UNI staff will have a centralized system for CARA tracking, roster management, workflow automation, form distribution, and real-time reporting. The goal is to cut down on the manual workarounds that eat into staff time and replace them with processes that are clean, trackable, and built for how college programs actually operate.
"Northern Iowa has a staff that genuinely cares about getting compliance right, and they deserve tools that make that easier, not harder," said Jay Townsend, Co-founder and CEO at Motion. "We had a really honest conversation with their team about where things could be improved, and this partnership is built directly from that. We're glad they trusted us with it."
Dr. Megan Franklin, Director of Athletics at the University of Northern Iowa, spoke to why the partnership made sense for the Panthers:
"Compliance is the backbone of everything we do. We wanted a platform to support our compliance work along with a reliable communication platform for the department. Motion is intuitive, modern, and built with the realities of college athletics in mind. We're looking forward to implementing the various attributes of the system for the immediate impact it promises to have across the department."
Motion is the modern technology platform for college athletic departments, offering compliance, academics, team management, and NIL and revenue share payment tools in one connected system. UNI joins a growing list of programs across the country that have chosen Motion to simplify and strengthen their operations.
About the University of Northern Iowa
The University of Northern Iowa competes at the NCAA Division I level as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference, fielding 17 varsity sports from its campus in Cedar Falls, Iowa. For more information, visit unipanthers.com.
UNI Athletics action can be followed all year long on social media on Facebook (UNI Athletics), X (@UNIAthletics) and on Instagram (@uniathletics). Schedules and rosters, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
ROCHESTER, Mich. — Oakland University has announced a new partnership with Motion, the modern technology platform built for college athletic departments. The Golden Grizzlies will implement Motion across their athletic department, giving coaches, academic staff, and student-athletes a cleaner, more connected way to work.
Motion Team will bring Oakland's day-to-day operations into one mobile-first platform, consolidating team and athletic department operations that currently live across multiple tools. Motion Academics will take the administrative weight off academic support staff by automating travel letters, grade checks, and study hall tracking, so advisors can spend more time with student-athletes and less time on paperwork.
"Oakland is exactly the kind of program we love working with. They've built something special, and Steve's leadership has that department in a great place," said Jay Townsend, Co-founder and CEO at Motion. "We're glad to be a part of it and are looking forward to supporting the Golden Grizzlies every step of the way.”
Steve Waterfield, Director of Athletics at Oakland University, shared what drew the department to Motion:
"Our staff and coaches work hard to support our student-athletes, and we wanted technology that makes that work easier, not more complicated. Motion stood out because it's intuitive, it's built for how college programs operate, and it brings things together instead of adding another layer. We're excited to get it in the hands of our coaches and academic staff."
Oakland joins a growing list of programs across the country that have partnered with Motion to modernize their athletic operations. With Motion now in place, the Golden Grizzlies are set up to better serve their student-athletes from the practice field to the classroom.
About Oakland University Athletics
Oakland University competes at the NCAA Division I level as a member of the Horizon League, fielding 19 varsity sports from its campus in Rochester, Michigan. The Golden Grizzlies have consistently been one of the most decorated programs in the Horizon League, both in competition and in the classroom.
For more information about Oakland Athletics, visit goldengrizzlies.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — George Washington University has announced a new partnership with Motion, the technology platform built for college athletic departments.
The Revolutionaries will utilize three of Motion's flagship products — Motion Compliance, Motion Academics and Motion Team — with coaches, administrators and student-athletes maintaining a single, connected platform to work from.
Motion Compliance allows GW staff to manage roster workflows, CARA, eligibility and reporting, cutting down on manual work and keeping the department aligned with NCAA and Atlantic 10 Conference standards.
Motion Academics takes the administrative load off academic support staff by automating travel letters and other processes, freeing advisors to focus on the student-athletes.
Motion Team maintains day-to-day operations across GW Athletics, keeping team scheduling and communication in one mobile-first app.
"GW Athletics competes at a high level on the field and in the classroom, and we want to provide technology that matches that standard," said Jay Townsend, Co-founder and CEO at Motion. "Bringing on a program of GW's caliber, in the heart of the nation's capital and one of the most competitive conferences in the country, is a proud moment for our team. We're excited to support what they're building."
Danya Ellman, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations, spoke to what drew the department to Motion: "We're always looking for ways to best serve our student-athletes and our staff. Motion allows us to maintain an integrated platform for compliance, academics and team management together in one place. The simplicity of the product and the value stood out."
GW joins a growing list of programs that have chosen Motion as their technology partner.
About GW Athletics
The George Washington University offers a comprehensive, NCAA Division I program featuring 400 student-athletes across 20 varsity sports. A charter member of the Atlantic 10 Conference and the league's only AAU member institution, GW's combination of world-class academics, elite A-10 athletics, and location in the heart of the nation's capital affords our student-athletes an exceptional platform to achieve their dreams. GW Athletics has amassed more than 100 conference championships and 100 NCAA Tournament berths, while its student-athletes earned a 97% Graduation Success Rate and a 3.4 cumulative GPA.
For more information about GW Athletics, visit gwsports.com.
INDIANAPOLIS — Butler University has officially partnered with Motion, an Indiana-based tech company built to support college athletic departments from the ground up.
With Motion, Butler will unify their operations under one connected system — spanning team management, communication, and compliance. The platform is designed to reduce the complexity of managing multiple disconnected tools, giving coaches, administrators, and athletes a cleaner and more efficient daily experience.
Grant Leiendecker, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Butler, shared why the partnership made sense:
"From our very first conversation with Motion, it was clear they were different. There's something special about partnering with a company that's right here in Indiana, and that proximity has helped us build a genuine relationship from the start. They've been attentive, responsive, and genuinely invested in making this work for us every step of the way. We're excited about what this partnership means for our department and our student-athletes."
Butler's Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance, Michelle Bowman, who has been closely involved in evaluating and implementing the platform, also emphasized the significant impact the platform will have on the athletic department:
"As someone who lives in the compliance world every day, I can say that Motion has built something that truly understands what we need. The tools are intuitive, thorough, and make our workflows so much cleaner. But beyond the product itself, the support we've received from the Motion team has been top notch from day one. They've been true partners through every step of this process, and that means everything when you're making a significant change."
Motion co-founder and CEO, Jay Townsend, spoke to the significance of the partnership:
“As an Indiana-based company, partnering with one of the state's most respected athletic programs hits close to home — and reflects Motion's broader mission to deliver modern, affordable technology to athletic departments nationwide. We love Butler, their culture, and we resonate with the standard of The Butler Way.”
About Butler Athletics
Butler University, located in Indianapolis, Ind., participates in intercollegiate athletics at the NCAA Division I level. Nineteen of Butler's 20 teams compete in the BIG EAST, while the football program is a member of the Pioneer Football League. The Bulldogs have a long history of athletic success, including back-to-back trips to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship Game in 2010 and 2011, and the University is home to one of the nation's great intercollegiate basketball facilities, Hinkle Fieldhouse.
For more information about Butler Athletics, visit ButlerSports.com.
Motion Sports is excited to welcome Christina Roybal as a Senior Advisor, bringing one of the most valuable perspectives in college athletics today to its growing team.
Roybal most recently served as Vice President and Director of Athletics at Northern Kentucky University, where she led the department through a period of strong growth across competitive success, academic achievement, and fan engagement.
During her tenure at NKU, multiple athletic programs won conference championships and advanced to NCAA postseason play. At the same time, student-athletes reached record-setting academic performance, including the highest department GPA in school history. The department also saw some of the largest crowds ever at Truist Arena (men’s basketball) and Regents Hall (women’s volleyball).
But beyond the wins and milestones, Roybal’s experience is grounded in the day-to-day reality of running a Division I athletic department. Managing budgets, supporting overextended staff, and balancing compliance, operations, and the student-athlete experience. In short, always finding ways to do more with less.
That perspective is a big reason Northern Kentucky University became a Motion customer during her time as Athletic Director.
“Christina understands this space in a way you can’t replicate unless you’ve lived it,” said Motion Co-Founder / CEO Jay Townsend. “She knows what actually matters inside an athletic department, and where things break down. That’s the kind of insight we want shaping how we grow.”
Before NKU, Roybal spent six years at the University of Northern Iowa as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Administration, where she oversaw 14 sports and served as Senior Woman Administrator and Deputy Title IX Coordinator. She also spent a decade at Fresno State in a range of athletic leadership roles across operations, compliance, and administration.
She has been actively involved at the national level as well, including work with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and Women Leaders in Sports.
As a Senior Advisor, Roybal will work closely with Motion’s leadership team on product direction, innovation, customer experience, and overall strategy. Her role will be a crucial component ensuring Motion builds solutions that truly align with how athletic departments operate.
“Having served as an AD, I understand the pressures departments are under right now,” Roybal said. “Under pressure both financially and operationally. That’s what stood out to me about Motion—their vision to help bring accessible solutions to these athletic departments. I’m excited to get to work and support what they’re building.”
Roybal’s addition reflects how Motion approaches building. The team stays close to the people doing the work every day, builds alongside them, and focuses on solving real needs, not assumptions.
South Bend, Ind. — Motion is proud to announce a new partnership with Indiana University South Bend Athletics, who will be implementing Motion Money to educate and empower student-athletes in the evolving Name, Image, and Likeness landscape.
Motion Money is an NIL-native platform built specifically for college athletics. The system enables compliant payment processing, streamlined NIL deal management, and transparent financial tracking and tax withholding. Designed for both athletic departments and student-athletes, Motion Money eliminates manual processes while ensuring institutional oversight and compliance.
Scott Cooper, Executive Director of Athletics, emphasized the importance of supporting student-athletes in today’s NIL environment:
“Our priority at IU South Bend is preparing student-athletes for success both during and after their collegiate careers. Motion Money provides the structure, transparency, and education needed to navigate NIL opportunities confidently and responsibly.”
Motion co-founder and CEO, Jay Townsend, shared why the partnership reflects IU South Bend’s forward-thinking leadership:
“IU South Bend understands that NIL is about more than just deals and transactions — it’s about education, empowerment, and long-term impact. Motion Money was built to make NIL simple, compliant, and accessible for institutions of every size, and we’re excited to partner with IU South Bend in supporting their student-athletes.”
This partnership underscores IU South Bend’s commitment to innovation and student-athlete development while advancing Motion’s mission to make NIL accessible for programs of all sizes and divisions.
About Indiana University South Bend
As the oldest and largest regional campus of Indiana University, IU South Bend’s mission is focused on regional impact, partnership, and transformation.
IU South Bend’s history is a mix of tradition and innovation. In 1916 Indiana University began teaching classes in South Bend at Central High School located downtown. In 1961, IU South Bend moved to its current campus location situated on 80 acres along the St. Joseph River in the River Park neighborhood. In 1967, IU South Bend conferred its first degrees. Since then, campus has grown to approximately 4,500 students, offering nearly 100 degree programs, six varsity sports teams playing in the Chicagoland Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), campus housing, and more than 230 full-time faculty members. Graduates earn an Indiana University degree, which is respected worldwide.
To learn more about IU South Bend, visit southbend.iu.edu.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.— Motion is proud to announce a new partnership with Northern Kentucky University Athletics, who will be implementing one of our flagship products, Motion Compliance.
With Motion, NKU will modernize core compliance operations including roster management, workflows, CARA tracking, and reporting. The platform provides a centralized, intuitive system designed to reduce manual processes, improve accuracy, and increase visibility for compliance staff.
Northern Kentucky Vice President and Director of Athletics, Christina Roybal, shared why the partnership was a strong fit:
“At Northern Kentucky University, we are intentional about supporting our student-athletes in every aspect of their experience. Motion provides us with an integrated solution that strengthens our compliance processes while also enhancing communication and organization across our department and within our teams.”
Motion co-founder and CEO, Jay Townsend, echoed that sentiment:
“NKU understands that supporting student-athletes requires more than isolated tools. By adopting Motion, they’re taking a comprehensive approach that simplifies compliance operations and enhances the daily experience for administrators, coaches, and athletes alike.”
This partnership reflects Northern Kentucky University’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence, while advancing Motion’s mission to deliver modern and affordable technology to athletic departments nationwide.
About Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University delivers innovative, student-centered education and engages in impactful scholarly and creative endeavors, all of which empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives, while contributing to the economic, civic, and social vitality of the region.
To learn more about NKU, visit nku.edu.
The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) has announced a new partnership with Motion to provide modern, integrated technology solutions to support its member institutions.
Through this partnership, Motion will make its platform available to WHAC institutions, equipping athletic departments with innovative tools designed to streamline operations, enhance compliance workflows, strengthen team communication, and support student-athlete success in the evolving collegiate athletics landscape.
Motion’s technology suite is built specifically for college athletics, offering mobile-first, easy-to-use solutions that simplify day-to-day responsibilities for administrators, coaches, and student-athletes alike. By partnering with Motion, the WHAC is reinforcing its commitment to equipping member schools with forward-thinking resources that drive efficiency and long-term growth.
Eric Ward, Commissioner of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, shared the vision behind the partnership:
“The WHAC is committed to providing our member institutions with meaningful resources that elevate the student-athlete experience, while simplifying the daily tasks of running an athletic department. Partnering with Motion allows us to introduce innovative, modern technology that supports our schools administratively while helping them better serve their student-athletes.”
Motion co-founder and CEO, Jay Townsend, emphasized the significance of collaborating at the conference level:
“The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference represents strong leadership and a commitment to innovation. We’re honored to partner with the WHAC and support its member institutions with technology that simplifies complexity, elevates academics, and empowers athletic departments to operate more efficiently.”
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to modernization, operational excellence, and delivering tangible value to athletic departments across the conference. Together, the WHAC and Motion aim to provide member institutions with accessible, affordable, and athlete-first technology built for the future of college athletics.
About the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference
The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference is a collegiate athletic affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Livonia, Michigan. The conference consists of twelve colleges and universities located in the U.S. states of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Founded in 1992, the conference was created as a successor group for the now-defunct NAIA District 23.
To learn more about the WHAC, visit whac.net.
Gary, Ind. — Motion is excited to announce a new partnership with Indiana University Northwest Athletics, who will be implementing Motion Money to simplify NIL transactions and empower their student-athletes to take full advantage of their opportunities in the Name, Image, and Likeness era.
Motion Money is an NIL app that makes it easy for student-athletes to get paid in a compliant and financially responsible way. It removes the headaches of manual processes and ensures every NIL dollar is tracked and managed responsibly. Additionally, IU Northwest will receive NIL education and training on how to build their brands and find NIL deals with businesses.
Anna Villanueva, Associate Director of Athletics at IU Northwest, shared why this partnership matters for their programs:
“At IU Northwest, we’re committed to preparing our student-athletes for success beyond the game. Motion gives them the tools and education needed to navigate NIL opportunities confidently and compliantly.”
Motion co-founder and CEO, Jay Townsend, said this partnership shows IU Northwest’s leadership in supporting their student-athletes’ growth:
“IU Northwest understands that NIL isn’t only about deals. It’s about education, compliance, and empowering student-athletes to build their personal brands responsibly. Motion Money was designed to make that process simple, secure, and sustainable for schools of every size.”
This partnership reinforces IU Northwest’s dedication to innovation and student success, while advancing Motion’s passion to make NIL accessible and manageable for every athletic department.
About Indiana University Northwest
At IU Northwest, your success is our top priority. We offer degree programs in Arts and Sciences, Health and Human Services, Business and Economics, Arts, and Education. Plus, personalized student support services to help you successfully navigate the college experience, from your first day, to Commencement, and beyond.
To learn more about IU Northwest, visit northwest.iu.edu.
RICHMOND, Indiana — Motion and Indiana University East are excited to announce a new partnership. IU East will be implementing both Motion Team and Motion Money across all of their athletic programs.
With Motion Team, IU East coaches and student-athletes will have access to a modern, mobile-first platform that unifies scheduling, messaging, film distribution, nutrition, and mental health resources. This all-in-one system will streamline communication and organization, making it easier for coaches and players to stay connected and focused on performance.
Motion Money adds another layer of innovation by providing an NIL-native solution for student-athletes to manage payments, compliance, and brand partnerships. Built with simplicity and transparency in mind, the platform ensures that athletes can fully participate in the NIL era while staying compliant with institutional and conference requirements.
Joe Griffin, IU East Athletic Director, shared the importance of this step forward:
“At IU East, we’re committed to giving our student-athletes the very best support on and off the field. Partnering with Motion allows us to not only simplify our day-to-day operations but also provide our student-athletes with the tools they need to succeed in the rapidly evolving NIL landscape.”
Motion co-founder and CEO, Jay Townsend, echoed that excitement:
“We built Motion to give programs like IU East an affordable, modern, and easy-to-use alternative to the bloated systems dominating the industry. By combining Motion Team and Motion Money, IU East is taking a forward-thinking approach to both operational efficiency and student-athlete empowerment.”
This partnership highlights IU East’s commitment to innovation and Motion’s mission of helping athletic departments at every level provide first-class experiences for their coaches and student-athletes.
About Indiana University East
IU East provides its students the opportunity to earn a prestigious IU degree that is respected throughout Indiana, the nation, and the world. As part of the Indiana University system, IU East provides all the services and opportunities of a large university combined with the advantages and atmosphere of a small college.
For more information about Indiana University East, visit east.iu.edu.