About The Hilltop Club
The Hilltop Club was founded by Matt Quinlan (USF Law, 2004) and Philip Spiegel (USF, B.A. 1994) in response to the shifting landscape of college athletics after the Supreme Court ruling in NCAA v. Alston et al., which entitled college athletes to be compensated for use of their name, image and likeness (NIL).
The Hilltop Club’s primary mission is make the USF Men’s Basketball program more attractive to future and current Dons by creating and curating NIL opportunities for them. The funding of these NIL opportunities is done through corporate/business partnerships and individual contributions to our 501(c)(3) charity, The Hilltop Club Foundation. With a robust NIL program available to our student-athletes, USF can attract and retain in-demand players and thereby improve the quality of our roster and our level of play.
Club members enjoy marketing and engagement opportunities with players, VIP access to players, coaches and the program, and social camaraderie amongst Dons die-hards.
The Hilltop Club operates consistent with USF Alumni goals, reflecting the values and principles of USF and the San Francisco Bay Area community, and in compliance with current and future university, NCAA, state and federal policies and legislation.
The Hilltop Club is a San Francisco-based LLC. We are an NIL fundraising collective and while not formally affiliated with USF, work in close communication with the USF Athletics Department, including USF’s NCAA Compliance Office.
The Hilltop Club Founders
Matt Quinlan
Matt is a USF School of Law graduate (2004) with a passion for USF Dons’ Athletics. He’s a season ticket holder at War Memorial Gym for Men’s Basketball. He is excited to lead the charge in creating substantial and sustainable NIL opportunities for our student-athletes and was quick to understand what that could mean for our basketball program and USF more generally. Matt has strong relationships within the basketball program, as well as with current USF administrators and has called on those relationships to help quickly build out The Hilltop Club. Matt has a law practice in The Marina District (www.mjqlaw.com) and lives in Marin with his wife and three children. The Hilltop Club is a passion project for Matt and he volunteers time.
“The Hilltop Club is changing the trajectory of modern USF Basketball.“
-Matt Quinlan
Philip Spiegel
Philip Spiegel is a 3rd-generation native San Franciscan and a ’94 graduate of USF. A rabid USF Dons basketball fan, Phil recognizes the positive impact USF Athletics can have on the San Francisco community and is thrilled to further support USF Athletics with the creation of The Hilltop Club. Phil is the principal of PLEASE — a strategic management firm that unlocks latent commercial real estate value through the development and operation of successful hospitality ventures. Phil is on the board of the Salesian Boys’ and Girls’ Club and is a member of the Guardsmen. Phil volunteers his time to The Hilltop Club.
The Hilltop Club Staff
Executive Director
Ryan Oppelt
Ryan is a Bay Area native and seasoned sports marketing executive with proven success managing nationally televised collegiate events at Levi’s Stadium and Oracle Park. Ryan blends his passion for connecting brands and fans to college athletics, with championing successful student-athlete NIL programs and partnerships.
NIL Development
Carli Thomas
Carli is a USF Sport Management Graduate (2013) from Healdsburg California. Carli’s commitment to Athletics at USF has stemmed not only from being a proud alumna but fundraising for USF Athletics and other university priorities for the past seven years. Carli hopes to connect with fellow and new alums, friends, and supporters of the program in a sustainable way to ensure progress and success for The Hilltop Club.
NIL fulfillment and Event Coordinator
Cordelia Olson
Cordelia is pursuing her Masters in Sport Management at USF. She received her undergraduate degree from Washington State, where she also ran track. Cordelia seeks a career in the sports world and is very excited to be interning for The Hilltop Club.
Join The Hilltop Club
Business Member
$5,000+ Contribution
*NIL Business Partnership Consultation
*Traditional / social media assets + student-athlete partnerships
*THC Benefits Consistent with Individual Membership Levels
Individual Member (Bronze)
$1,000
*THC Exclusive "SF Dons" Cap
*Invitations to Future THC Events
Individual Member (Silver)
$2,500
*Bronze Member Benefits +
*Two Tip-Off Event Tickets
Individual Member (Gold)
$5,000
*Silver Member Benefits +
*THC Nike "SF Dons" Zip
*Two (2) Additional Tip-Off Event Tickets (4 total)
Individual Member (Platinum)
$10,000
*Gold Member Benefits +
*THC Custom Varsity Jacket
*Invite to THC Private Dinner with Coaches and Players
*Curated Student-Athlete NIL Experience
Individual Member (Executive)
$25,000+
*Platinum Member Benefits+
*VIP Access to All THC Events
*Exclusive THC Merchandise and Access
*Additional, Curated USF Student-Athlete NIL Package (2 total)
