CLEVELAND - The International Collegiate Licensing Association (ICLA) is proud to announce Martin Ludwig, Tammy Purves, and Craig Westemeier as the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees.

Ludwig, Purves, and Westemeier will formally be inducted into the ICLA Hall of Fame at the #ICLA2025 Convention, Monday, June 9 at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida.

"On behalf of the ICLA Board of Directors and the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, I'm honored to announce Marty Ludwig, Tammy Purves and Craig Westemeier as the 2025 Class of the ICLA Hall of Fame. Individually, their respective career bodies of work make each of them deserving of this recognition. However, the collective impact of their accomplishments on the association is immeasurable. Both ICLA and the industry would not be what it is today without their contributions." said ICLA President Clarence Chiong, director of trademark licensing at Fresno State.  "I, like many of you, consider Marty, Tammy and Craig not only as colleagues and mentors, but also as friends and I look forward to celebrating them in June in Orlando."

Martin Ludwig:
Marty Ludwig's impactful journey began in 2007 when he created a network for Big East Conference members to collaborate and promote their brands, a framework later adopted by ICLA and NACMA to foster licensing industry growth. At the University of Cincinnati (UC) in 2008, he introduced an analytics-driven internal consumption program, reducing the vendor pool from 40 to three and inspiring over three dozen institutions nationwide. By leveraging analytics, Ludwig revolutionized strategic product category management, securing exclusive agreements with top brands such as Knights Apparel and Top of the World.

In 2011, Ludwig pioneered the ICLA Benchmark surveys to provide universities with valuable data for managing licensing programs. By 2012, he expanded UC's brand strategy to all apparel categories, improving visibility and financial stability through a semi-exclusive apparel program. His initiatives included revamping the ICLA Hall of Fame and launching the Conference Stipend program. In 2013, he further enriched the industry by establishing the ICLA Mentorship program, which grew to over 100 participants, and in 2014, he introduced the Declaration Days campaign, fostering social media engagement and charitable scholarships.

Ludwig's efforts reached new heights in 2019 when he signed strategic partnerships with Hanesbrands and Logo Brands, using retail analytics to enhance product quality, increase brand visibility, and boost UC's licensing income. He also supported student internships and quadrupled UC's royalty income during his tenure. That same year, Ludwig began managing corporate sponsorships on the academic side of UC, helping to establish an official trade organization for university professionals in sponsorships and brand activations.

In 2021, Ludwig played a key role in founding the University Partnerships Community of Practice (UPCoP), serving as its first president and spearheading benchmark surveys. Despite challenges like COVID, his leadership facilitated vital discussions on cryptocurrency and NIL practices. As past UPCoP president in 2024, he continued to conduct surveys and share best practices. Through his innovative programs, steadfast leadership, and unwavering support for colleagues, Ludwig has left an enduring legacy in the collegiate licensing industry, benefiting institutions, licensees, and retailers nationwide.
 
Tammy Purves:
Tammy Purves has dedicated 30 years to collegiate licensing, significantly elevating college brands in the marketplace. Her career includes roles as a university licensing director and agency leader, with notable achievements at Georgia Tech starting in 1994. Purves transformed Georgia Tech's licensing program into a strategic initiative, collaborated with Athletics and the bookstore, and enhanced the international program, making Georgia Tech a top seller for Crossland Enterprises.

She played a pivotal role during the 1996 Olympic Games, securing co-branded merchandise for Georgia Tech and addressing intellectual property infringements. Purves was instrumental in founding the National Collegiate Licensing Association (NCLA) and transitioning it to the International Collegiate Licensing Association (ICLA).

In 2004, Purves joined the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) as the director of communications. Over her 20-year tenure, she has been a prominent voice in collegiate licensing, contributing to industry-leading initiatives and advocating for ICLA. Tammy's leadership and dedication have made her a respected figure in the industry, and she remains a strong supporter of schools, licensees, retailers, and CLC through her passion for collegiate licensing.

In her role at CLC, she continues to be an advocate for ICLA, overseeing the company's corporate partnership and programming needs for ICLA. Additionally, she continues be as a broader voice for collegiate licensing in the industry, recently serving as a speaker at Licensing International's 2023 Sports Licensing Summit. She also works closely with the Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show to continue to stress importance of collegiate brands and licensees in the overall licensing ecosystem. Her servant leadership to the profession and dedication have impacted countless others across the industry, and she continues to provide support to schools, licensees, retailers, and CLC through her genuine love for collegiate licensing.
 
Craig Westemeier:
Craig Westemeier exemplifies the true spirit of teamwork in the collegiate licensing industry. Known for his generosity with time and his effortless ability to engage in meaningful discussions, he enriches every conversation—regardless of school size or licensing expertise. His contributions are never about self-promotion; instead, he remains focused on the collective success of the industry, consistently offering insightful examples and information to support his peers.

Despite holding a prominent position at the University of Texas, Westemeier remains remarkably humble. He never implies that his role is more significant or demanding than any other institution's licensing program, no matter its size. His extensive career has given him a deep understanding of licensing complexities, and his relentless pursuit of excellence is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the field.

Westemeier's leadership and commitment to service are evident in his extensive involvement with industry organizations. A former ICLA board member and past president, he continues to shape the profession through his role as a board member of both the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and the Worker's Rights Consortium (WRC). In addition to his work with the FLA, he serves as Chair of the University Caucus, sits on the Finance Committee, and has been elected to the Executive Committee. His steadfast dedication to ethical labor practices and industry standards has left a lasting impact, earning him a well-deserved place in the ICLA Hall of Fame. His peers recognize and deeply appreciate his tireless efforts, which have been instrumental in advancing the profession. This dedication was further acknowledged when the Texas program received the 2005 Synergy Award for College Program of the Year.

Beyond his daily responsibilities, Westemeier has expanded his influence through education. In recent years, he has become increasingly involved in campus programs, even teaching a course on licensing. His passion for educating the next generation is unmistakable, as he collaborates with colleagues to refine syllabi and course content. By introducing students to career opportunities in licensing, he is helping to ensure the industry's continued growth and evolution.

Westemeier's humility, dedication, and unwavering commitment to service have solidified his reputation as a respected leader in collegiate licensing. His impact extends far beyond professional achievements—he has built lasting relationships, mentored colleagues, and inspired future generations, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
 
About ICLA: ICLA provides educational and networking opportunities, enhancement of acceptable operating standards and ethics, and establishment of the overall prestige and understanding of the profession of collegiate licensing. For more information on ICLA, please visit www.iclanet.com. ICLA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 60^th year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit www.nacda.com.