Ole Miss Student-Athlete Wins SEC Startup Contest

Piotrowski, who competed in the 800- and 1,500-meter events as well as team relay races for the Ole Miss track and field team, won out over four other finalists in the SEC Start Up competition, which aired Monday (July 14) on the SEC Network. It featured student-athletes pitching early-stage businesses to a panel of expert judges.

Piotrowski's company, Godors, produces an odor-eliminating spray with a "secret family recipe." When he was younger, his mother concocted the spray to tackle the stench of Piotrowski's and his father's hockey gear in their New York apartment.

"We lived in a small space in Queens, and the smell of the equipment would take over the whole apartment," said Piotrowski, who graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in management.

"We tried everything – Lysol, candles, hanging our gear on the balcony to dry out – and it was like putting a bandage on something that needed full surgery. So, we created our own solution."

Piotrowski's mother developed the secret blend nearly a decade ago, but the business sat idle for several years before Piotrowski proved that he didn't need to wait until after graduation to relaunch it. This year, he has rebuilt its website, streamlined operations to reduce costs and taken over production.

As he prepares for business growth, Piotrowski said winning the competition provides the support needed to launch a social media campaign targeting SEC student-athletes. He believes it promises to provide a huge boost for the business' visibility.

Piotrowski is based in Sarasota, Florida, and handles everything from mixing the product in 6-gallon drums to running the online store through Shopify. He's also juggling another business, McCarran Capital, which connects investors with private equity opportunities.

That ability to balance multiple ventures is nothing new for Piotrowski. He spent his Ole Miss career juggling athletics, academics and entrepreneurship, often waking up at 5 a.m. for practice, attending class and building businesses well into the evening.

"Being a student-athlete is a 24/7 commitment," he said. "People think you just go to practice and compete, but there's recovery, classes, projects and all the little things you have to do right to stay healthy and sharp. It's a grind, but it prepares you for the real world."

Navigating his entrepreneurial journey, Piotrowski has worked closely with the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the School of Business Administration, which supports student ventures through mentorship and resources.

He takes a thoughtful, research-driven approach to solving problems for customers, said Tong Meng, CIE director of programs and an instructor in the business school.

"What truly sets him apart is his willingness to take initiative, whether through cold calls, outreach emails or actively seeking guidance," Meng said. "Cole embraces feedback, adapts quickly and consistently demonstrates resilience and responsiveness.

A former national champion and All-American at IMG Academy before enrolling at Ole Miss, Piotrowski said the academic rigor he found on campus rivaled anything he experienced elsewhere. He was excited to represent both sides of his college experience on a conference stage.

"This competition gives all of us finalists the chance to show what student-athletes are capable of outside of sports," he said.

"We're not just runners or players. We're thinkers, creators and doers, too."

Top: Ole Miss graduate Cole Piotrowski celebrates with a $10,000 check after winning the SEC Network’s Startup Competition. Piotrowski, who ran track for the Rebels, beat out finalists from other SEC schools for the prize with his odor-eliminating spray company, Godors. Photo courtesy SEC Network