The new era of college athletics is ramping up at Colorado State.

CSU announced Thursday what it is calling Stalwart Journey, which will help connect athletes with so-called NIL (name, image and likeness) opportunities to profit from their stature as college athletes.

"This is a game changer for our student-athletes and the best program available in the Mountain West," CSU athletic director Joe Parker said in a news release. "It is imperative that Ram fans join us on this journey to elevate the student-athlete experience for our Rams."

Included is the launch of The Green and Gold Guard, an NIL collective. In layman terms a collective is an organization formed to benefit athletes at an individual college through NIL opportunities.

Its a whole new world in college athletics. Heres a guide for fans on the collective and other aspects of the Stalwart Journey.

In July 2021, under pressure from state legislations, the NCAA released guidelines allowing college athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness, which was previously against NCAA amateurism rules. Athletes are able to use their NIL to earn compensation through brand endorsements, personal appearances and other activities. They are required to perform a quid pro quo service in exchange for fair market value compensation.

The idea of college athletes making money used to be the NCAAs biggest no-no. Now its legal and a key driver in many areas, especially recruiting.

Athletes have used NIL to capitalize on opportunities via social media, autograph sales, coaching, brand merchandising and much more.

On the court:Isaiah Stevens returns and CSU basketball beats Loyola Marymount

CSU has a partnership with Opendorse group licensing company and fans can now purchase apparel with current athlete names on it, which also used to be against NCAA rules.

Through Opendorse NIL opportunities can be as simple as paying a fee for an athlete to record a quick hello video or post on social media.

A collective is an organization, usually built by alumni of a specific school, used to provide NIL opportunities to athletes at that school.

Collectives pool funding from donors to help provide those opportunities. A university cannot, by NCAA rules, negotiate NIL deals for athletes, whereas a collective can.

The Green and Gold Guard is independent of CSU, but the athletic department has officially endorsed the Green and Gold Guard Collective.

NIL is reliant on local businesses, the fan base, the donors, the supporters to create opportunities for student-athletes, Green and Gold Guard Executive Director John Weber said. Its something that the university is actually unable to do by NCAA regulations, so its something that has to come outside the university. Were an independent company. Were focused on making sure we fill that hole.

The Green and Gold Guard is the NIL collective for CSU athletes. Its completely volunteer-run by a group of boosters.

It is a registered LLC and owned by the Green and Gold Foundation, a membership-based nonprofit organization that that provides directed gifting to Colorado State academic and athletic programs.

Anyone can give to the collective at thegguard.com.

Monthly giving options range from $10 to more than $400, with the top level part of the Bighorn Society.

One-time gifts are also accepted.

Donors can give generally or directed to a specific sport.

The money is used to connect athletes to NIL opportunities. It could be a speaking engagement or work at a nonprofit, or working with a business in that athletes field of interest.

Another aspect of the Stalwart Journey is the personal development and brand enhancement piece. Ram Life is CSU's life after sports program. The program began in 2020 as a pilot program for football and has since expanded to include the entire athletic department

CSU announced the athletic department is collaborating with the CSU College of Business for NIL education.

The athletic department is adding the opportunity for student-athletes to earn additional awards for academic achievement.

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on Twitter and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.

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Colorado State NIL collective announced to benefit Rams athletes - Coloradoan