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Bethel University Football Star Corey Picha Selected for AthleteGEM™ NIL Signature Diamond Initiative: A Diamond in the Rough Story




Corey Picha, a standout football player at Bethel University, has been selected as one of the first athletes to join the AthleteGEM™ NIL Signature Diamond Initiative.


This groundbreaking program empowers athletes to build their personal brands while gaining hands-on experience in the natural diamond industry, from sourcing to design. Corey’s journey—from a multi-sport athlete in high school to a collegiate football player—embodies the resilience and determination that align perfectly with AthleteGEM™’s mission.


Growing up, Corey’s family didn’t have much, but they had enough to keep him in sports. Football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, lacrosse, track and field—Corey did it all. He wasn’t the standout stud, the kid who dominated every game. No, Corey was the one who showed up, who worked harder than anyone else, who loved the game too much to ever give up.


When he moved schools in 8th grade, Corey faced a crossroads. The new school was a rival, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to play for them. But sports, as they often do, brought him home. He suited up for football, basketball, and baseball, and before long, he realized he wasn’t just playing for a team—he was part of a family.


High school brought its own challenges. Cut from the baseball team, Corey decided to focus on football and track. The summer before his junior year, he hit the weight room and the field with a singular focus: to earn a starting spot. That fall, he did just that, anchoring the defensive line as a nose tackle and helping his team win a state championship. It was a moment of triumph, but for Corey, it was just the beginning.


By his senior year, Corey was a two-way starter, playing left tackle and defensive end. When the final whistle blew on his last high school game, he took off his cleats and realized something: he wasn’t ready to walk away. Football wasn’t just a game to him—it was a part of who he was.


Corey found his next home at Bethel University, where he’s continued to grow as a player, a scholar, and a man. And now, he’s taking his journey to new heights as one of the first athletes selected for the AthleteGEM™ NIL Signature Diamond Initiative.



For Corey, this isn’t just about building a brand—It’s about understanding the value of hard work, patience, and perseverance, qualities he’s carried with him his entire life.


“Corey’s story is a perfect example of what we look for in athletes—resilience, authenticity, and a drive to succeed,” said Danny White, CEO & Founder at AthleteGEM™. “We’re excited to help him shine both on and off the field.”


A Call to All Athletes


Your story deserves to shine. AthleteGEM™ invites athletes from every field to create their own Signature Natural Diamond—a lasting reflection of your journey, struggles, and triumphs. Don’t just live your story—immortalize it.


Visit www.athletegem.com today to learn how you can create your own AthleteGEM™ Signature Diamond.


About AthleteGEM™


AthleteGEM™ is where sports meet fine jewelry. Founded by Danny White, a former college football captain and 35-year diamond industry veteran, the brand celebrates the extraordinary stories of athletes through bespoke natural diamond creations.


Partnering with VD Global, a De Beers Diamond Sightholder, AthleteGEM™ transforms the resilience and brilliance of athletes into timeless, natural diamond collectibles.


For more information, visit www.athletegem.com or email info@athletegem.com.

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