JBL Campus Returns with a New Generation of Student Athletes and Creators Driving Culture Through Sound

Stamford, CT – October 20, 2025 – Today, JBL announced the return of JBL Campus, the brand’s flagship student-first initiative built to highlight the athletes, creators, and leaders driving campus culture nationwide. With an expanded roster and new in-person activations, JBL Campus underscores the power of sound to fuel individuality, connection, and school spirit.

To celebrate the return of the program, JBL kicked off the new Campus season at the University of South Carolina during the highly anticipated football matchup against the University of Oklahoma. The on-campus experience featured a surprise appearance by content creator Nicky Cass, who stepped into the role of “JBL Joe,” a larger-than-life character inspired by old-school concession vendors, who hyped the crowd and handed out JBL products and merch. Front and center was the new JBL Grip speaker customized with playful designs resembling game day favorites like hot dogs, popcorn, and more. Compact and powerful, the JBL Grip delivers JBL Pro Sound, 12 hours of playtime, and dustproof, waterproof durability for every part of student life, from pre-game tailgates to late-night study sessions.

This year’s JBL Campus class spans multiple cultural touchpoints, uniting athletes and creators who bring the spirit of JBL to life. The lineup is evenly represented between male and female partners, reflecting JBL’s long-standing commitment to championing strong female voices on and off the field. Continuing that legacy, South Carolina basketball standout Chloe Kitts joins the roster as one of this year’s lead ambassadors, representing the confidence, creativity, and drive that defines the JBL Campus community.

“Every student has a soundtrack that powers their day, and for me, music is what keeps me grounded and motivated,” said Chloe Kitts. “With JBL Campus, I get to be part of something bigger that highlights how sound is woven into student life everywhere.”

This year, the program will continue to feature social collaborations, on-campus pop-ups, and surprise giveaways with JBL’s latest student-favorite products, including the new JBL Grip. 

“At JBL, we believe in the power of sound to connect communities,” said Chris Epple, Vice President of Marketing, Americas, at HARMAN. “JBL Campus brings this belief to life by spotlighting athletes and creators who embody the energy of student life and inspire the next generation of leaders.”

The JBL Campus roster includes:

• University of South Carolina

  • Chloe Kitts, Basketball

• University of Texas

  • Ryan Wingo, Football

  • Emma Halter, Volleyball

  • Aaliyah Crump, Basketball

• University of North Carolina

  • Evan Bennett, Football

  • Seth Trimble, Basketball 

  • Kate Faasse, Soccer

• University of Michigan

  • Frederick Richard, Gymnast

• Weber State University

  • Carter Williams, Dancer and Content Creator

• University of Georgia

  • Andrew McKenna, Content Creator

• Cornell University

  • Matthew Merril, Chef and Content Creator

• New York University (NYU)

  • Lana Carter, Content Creator

• Penn State

  • Riley Ruberton, Content Creator

• Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

  • Leasjah (Lele) Johnson, Content Creator

For more information, visit (https://www.jbl.com/campus.html).

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ABOUT JBL 

For over 75 years, JBL has shaped life’s most memorable moments at the intersection of music, lifestyle, gaming and sports. JBL elevates listening experiences with superior audio quality and product designs that encourage individuality and self-expression. With unmatched professional credentials and industry-leading innovation, JBL is a trailblazer in the audio industry because of passionate and talented engineers and designers around the globe. JBL Pro Sound is the foremost technology pushing culture forward through major pop culture events and partnerships with the world’s top talent across music, sports and esports.

ABOUT HARMAN 

HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a workforce of approximately 30,000 people across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. In 2017, HARMAN became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

HARMAN Americas Consumer Lifestyle
Nicole Sanabria, Manager, Brand & Product Relations
JBL@dkcnews.com