About Us

FLY PURPLE EAGLES was formed with the sole mission to empower student-athletes to maximize all the endeavors they undertake while in here in the Niagara Falls region, both on-and-off the court.

The alumni and fans that support FLY PURPLE EAGLES are supporting our student-athletes and helping them leverage the power of their name, image and likeness (“NIL”) to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

Fly Purple Eagles Team

  • Rocco Surace ('77)

    PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR

    Rocco and his family have much to be thankful for regarding the contributions that Niagara and the Vincentian community have made to us over the years. Rocco‘s wife, Debbie ('79) and family have particularly benefited from the Niagara family.

  • Brian Mylod ('68)

    DIRECTOR

    Brian is a life-long Niagaran, having served the university in several capacities, including the Board of Trustees and Board of Advisors. Brian and his wife Kathleen (Cichy ’69) have been a constant presence and supporters of NU for over 55 years.

  • Jim Hart ('69)

    DIRECTOR

    Jim a retired Managing Director from Citigroup has been a member of the NU Alumni Association and the Director of Athletics Advisory Board. He is a past recipient of NU’s prestigious Alumni Award.

“As a passionate fan of our Purple Eagle athletic teams, I am excited to help lead this effort on behalf of the University. Being part of Fly Purple Eagles NIL Collective offers a unique opportunity to support and guide our student-athletes in leveraging their personal brands and benefiting from their image and likeness.

Rocco Surace

“As a former University Trustee, I understand deeply the importance of our athletic programs on the institution. We must make NIL a priority among Purple Eagle fans to compete in today’s dynamic landscape.”

Brian Mylod

“Fans from all generations must begin understanding the important role name, image, and likeness (NIL) plays in today’s NCAA landscape. As an alumnus of Niagara University, I am proud to support Fly Purple Eagles and the role it will play in helping our teams and athletes achieve success on and off the field / court.”

Jim Hart

Our Vision

Everything we do will be directly aligned with the mission and DNA of Niagara University.

We will ensure that everything FLY PURPLE EAGLES touches maintains the highest standards.

We operate within the guidelines set forth by the NCAA and will do so in line with the rich history of our Athletic Department.

FLY PURPLE EAGLES is Niagara’s only NIL collective.

FLY PURPLE EAGLES was visioned by former Niagara University Trustees who share a deep and abiding love for the University and wish to be a springboard for their constituents, be they fellow alumni or corporate friends, to participate in an activity that supports present and future student-athletes attending Niagara.

Our Goals

  • Create an entity that friends of Niagara will want to be a part of.

  • At Fly Purple Eagles, we will strengthen Niagara’s ability to attract and retain exceptional student-athletes who impact program success on- and off-the-court.

  • Provide guidance to student-athletes regarding financial opportunities that may be available to them.

  • Provide an approved funding vehicle wherein individual donors and corporate sponsors can have a direct impact on Niagara’s ability to maintain a competitive balance for NU teams.

  • At Fly Purple Eagles, we will enable alumni, donors, corporate supporters, season ticket holders, and fans from across the country to participate at any level.

  • At Fly Purple Eagles we will find innovative ways to create unique experiences for supporters and fans who participate in supporting the Collective’s efforts.

If you are unsure about how to participate and support Niagara student-athletes or what options are available under NIL, FLY PURPLE EAGLES is the answer.

At FLY PURPLE EAGLES, it’s our mission to provide fans with access to exclusive content and experiences, all while supporting their favorite athletes with direct financial contributions.