URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — College athletes have a little more money these days thanks to name, image, and likeness contracts (NIL). Now a former Illini swimmer is finding a unique way to take advantage of the financial freedom.

Cara Bogner was a swimmer at the University of Illinois when NIL laws changed college sports forever.

“This was incredibly exciting because there was this massive new market, new bill opened up overnight,” Bogner said. “But my teammates and I quickly realized that we weren’t influencers. We weren’t making hundreds of thousands of dollars selling merchandise.”

So, she took an unorthodox approach. She started her business Top Tier lessons which connects college athletes with kids to coach.

“It’s a way for these athletes to give back to their community, to coach lessons to kids and make sure that they are able to work a job on their own time that fits within what they do for their sport,” Bogner said.

They do individual lessons and group clinics multiple sports. For the swim clinic, youth swimmers signed up for $30 and get two hours of personalized coaching from Illini swimmers.

“It’s been really cool because I think they’re just really experienced,” Schlarman Academy student Aurora Thomas said. “We get to learn how they do it, so it just makes it really easier.”

And parents said they’ve already seen a leap in skills.

“The confidence booster. Confidence booster is huge, especially in youth sports,” parent Ashley Omlor said.

Its working for kids — and their coaches like swimmer Jane Umhofer.

“It’s been an amazing experience working with Top Tier. Just being able to take advantage of NIL opportunities and earn some money while in college, it’s been a great opportunity,” Umhofer said.

And the kids said they can’t wait to dive back in.

“It can help you get better and it’s really fun,” said one camper.