Under Armour founder and executive chairman Kevin Plank has spoken before the University of Maryland football team many times. However, a talk he had in 2017 resonated with an individual who saw similarities between himself and the billionaire businessman.
Plank was a Maryland football walk-on who later earned a scholarship. He was eventually named special teams captain, proving that a football player can accomplish great things if he bets on himself. He also attributed that lesson to his academics. Plank graduated from the Robert H. Smith School of Business in 1996 and turned an idea that began on the football field into a new industry that changed how athletes dress forever.
Ikechukwu Ogwuegbu drew parallels between himself and Plank. At the time of the 2017 chat, Ogwuegbu was a rising sophomore walk-on running back for the Terps. He always had a business mind, but meeting Plank changed everything.
“That flipped the switch in my head,” Ogwuegbu said. “He was no different than me and was literally in the exact same seat. He’s the same person as I was. There’s nothing about him that would make him more adept at having a brand or someone who is influential or very successful in business. I made up my mind that I was going to start my own brand that day.”
“I saw how powerful clothing and representation was to people,” Ogwuegbu continued. “At Maryland, we were sponsored by Under Armour. I saw how different brands mean different things to people. I saw the impact that Under Armour had on Kevin, the university and all the people that wore it.”
Seven years later, Ogwuegbu is the successful founder and CEO of Veii Apparel. He got the idea for the name while taking a class on the mythology of ancient Greece and Rome while at Maryland. The brand is an activewear and lifestyle company. The brand’s mission is to ignite inspiration within those who wear their apparel, empowering them to become the best versions of themselves. Veii preaches that improving oneself can positively impact the community and the world. The company’s motto is “Be The Difference.”
The company’s vision is even larger. Veii wants to be a force for positive change in today’s society. That commitment drives Veii to launch impactful initiatives that create opportunities for underserved children in low-income communities.
“My belief is that you have two hands in this world, one to help yourself, and then one to reach out to help others,” Ogwuegbu said. “I’m able to lend a hand to other people. We always try to do that through the brand, and I let the brand operate as a vehicle to do so.”
Ogwuegbu lived in Prince George’s County for most of his life. He attended Northwestern High School and was persuaded to attend the University of Maryland by one of his teachers and mentors, the mother of Anthony McFarland Jr. Ogwuegbu and McFarland were teammates at Maryland in the running back room from 2017-2018.
McFarland’s mother, Toni, contacted Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, the defensive backs coach who recruited her son. Their conversation later led to Ogwuegbu attending Maryland and joining the football team as a preferred walk-on. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound running back played for the Terps from 2016-2018.
“Football was really my life,” Ogwuegbu said. “Even as a walk-on, it was just as if I was a regular player on the team. I was practicing the same and competing everyday to earn a spot. I was blessed enough to have opportunities to play at Maryland, too.”
But Ogwuegbu had a bigger vision than football. After hearing Plank’s influential speech, he spent much of his free time developing his brand. He used his platform and access as a student-athlete to his advantage.
Ogwuegbu sought feedback from teammates by handing out early prototypes of his products. But none was more impactful in that process than fellow running back Ty Johnson. Ogwuegbu spent all three of his seasons in College Park alongside Johnson. They were roommates and remain best friends to this day.
Now a running back for the Buffalo Bills, Johnson was the first to model Veii’s clothing and try on samples.
“His discernment and the determination he had was amazing,” Johnson said. “The fact that he was asking me for my opinion says something. … I’m extremely proud of him for keeping with it because there have been many trials and tribulations, but he’s always found a way, pushed through and kept producing quality stuff. He truly believed in what he was doing. I could feel the conviction and what he wanted to do. So it was like, how can I not support this?”
Many of Ogwuegbu’s teammates were honest with him, motivating him to create products that would appeal to others. He attributed their honesty to his relationships with them on and off the field.
“Having a group of folks I can call my brothers that I bled, sweat and cried with allowed me to build a strong bond with them,” Ogwuegbu said. “That was the center point and highlight of my college experience, just the camaraderie among my peers and teammates that I now call my brothers.”
In 2019, Ogwuegbu transferred to Wagner College, where he played his last collegiate football season and graduated with a business management degree. While still in school, he also officially launched Veii Apparel.
Veii has grown significantly throughout the past five years. The company partnered with Kataka Arts Gymnastics Club, which provides training, food and shelter to underserved youth in Uganda. Ogwuegbu helped fund food, uniforms and advice to better structure the program. He also raised more than $7,000 for the program in fundraising.
Veii Apparel works with several youth football camps in the U.S. and has partnered with the nonprofit Moms & Me. The organization supports girls’ transition from little kids to teenagers, young adults and adults.
According to the company’s website, the partnership donates a portion of Veii Apparel’s profits from the pink assassin shorts to help fight period poverty. Period poverty is the struggle many low-income women and girls face while trying to afford menstrual products.
“Him being a football player, you saw the energy and the love for [helping others],” Johnson said of Ogwuegbu. “But when he truly started, I saw a fire light up in his eyes. He truly loves this. The fact that he’s able to make an impact is the biggest thing for him. Being able to positively influence others around him and then allow it to have a trickle-down effect on everything else. It’s truly amazing.”
Johnson says he wears Veii’s apparel daily. Many of his teammates have noticed and drawn a liking to the company’s aesthetic. Johnson gifted hoodies to the Bills’ running back room ahead of training camp this year. Johnson gifted safety Micah Hyde a hoodie as well after Hyde commented on a hoodie Johnson wore last year.
Ogwuegbu says he’s looking to expand Veii Apparel, with significant projects in the works. Aside from making products people enjoy wearing, he hopes to continue making a difference with his platform.
“I just want to continue to be a resource and motivate and inspire other people to be the best versions of themselves, and naturally, all the positive things will come to both me and them as time comes,” Ogwuegbu said. “Definitely be on the lookout because we’re going to be more integrated with the Maryland and Terp community as time goes on.”
Photo Credits: Courtesy of Ikechukwu Ogwuegbu