Perched atop South Mountain lies the prestigious campus of Lehigh University, where the proud tradition of Lehigh University wrestling thrives. Renowned for its commitment to excellence, the wrestling program consistently ranks among the nation's elite, boasting a legacy of All-Americans, national champions, and Olympic athletes. Through the advent of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, Lehigh wrestlers have the chance to develop invaluable leadership skills, serve as ambassadors for businesses, support charitable causes, and embody the core values of Lehigh University.

South Mountain Way represents a collective endeavor to enhance opportunities for Lehigh University's wrestlers. Spearheaded by a coalition of Lehigh Alumni, South Mountain Way is dedicated to enabling wrestlers to access NIL opportunities through partnerships with corporate brands, in addition to developing wrestlers through non-NIL initiatives such as the innovative Leadership Pact.

Name. Image. Likeness.

Name Image Likeness (NIL) is a way for college athletes to receive compensation by representing products, services, and organizations. Since a wrestler’s demanding schedule makes it challenging to have a part-time job like other students, recent legislation and rule changes permit individuals, businesses, and other organizations to compensate athletes in exchange for promotional services. Lehigh University competes in EIWA and National Championships. By engaging with our wrestlers, you can provide financial support for individual athletes and/or the entire team as they collectively pursue excellence together.

Leadership Pact

Developing Leaders. Building Futures

The Leadership Pact is not just a program—it’s a launchpad.
It’s how we equip our wrestlers to lead in their communities, careers, and lives today and tomorrow.

The Leadership Pact is a cornerstone of our commitment to student-athlete development at Lehigh. Centered on education, leadership, and real-world experience, this initiative empowers wrestlers to grow personally and professionally beyond the mat. Structured around three core pillars: Leadership Training, Leadership Deployment, and Internships & Micro-internships, the Leadership Pact offers a pathway to build critical skills, make a lasting impact, and prepare for life after college.

Leadership Training

Wrestlers participate in a dynamic curriculum focused on self-awareness, team leadership, and effective communication. Through workshops, mentorship, and guided development, they gain the tools and confidence to lead in any environment. This experience culminates in the formation of a developmental leadership cadre, a group of student-athletes committed to growth, service, and excellence.

Leadership Deployment

What’s learned in training is put into action. Wrestlers take on meaningful community engagement projects across the Lehigh Valley and beyond. These include:

• Wrestling clinics for youth

• School visits and speaking engagements

• Volunteer efforts and fundraising for local nonprofits

• Special Olympics involvement

• Food drives and service events

• Social impact campaigns via digital platforms

These hands-on experiences challenge student-athletes to lead with empathy, purpose, and accountability.

Internships & Micro-internships

Through curated internship opportunities and short-term career experiences, wrestlers explore their professional interests, build networks, and develop workplace skills that support long-term success no matter their future path.