“You have a story. People want to hear it.”
“There’s no traffic when you stay in your own lane.”
“There is something on the inside of you this world needs.”
These messages and many more inspired over 150 student-athletes at the NCAA Career in Sports Forum. The four-day event last week in Indianapolis brought together third-, fourth- and fifth-year student-athletes interested in staying in sports in their professional careers.
Whether through coaching, working in the health care system, elevating through the ranks of professional sports, finding a sport-adjacent career or staying in collegiate athletics, the Career in Sports Forum educated participants on the intersection of personal strengths and career opportunities.
Here is a survival map, based on the program’s theme, “Campfires to Careers,” that program participants followed on their four-day trip to the national office.
Forge your path
The Career in Sports Forum provided tangible experiences for student-athletes to explore professional and career development strategies while offering insights into careers available in sports.
Learners participated in industry-specific breakouts, including coaching, internal relations, external athletics and professional sports.
Participants also listened to keynote speakers each day, including Joey Graziano, executive vice president of strategy and new business ventures for Pacers Sports and Entertainment, and Lacee’ Carmon-Johnson, director of basketball advancement for the Toronto Raptors.
In his keynote speech, motivational speaker and author Charles Bailey encouraged the student-athletes to define themselves outside of the parameters of their athletics career.
“Most of you have prepared athletically, but you have not invested in preparing yourself with the career choice you need. You need to start preparing yourself now. You are one of the blessed few that have been in a room full of the most incredible speakers, teachers and leaders in the world. The things they will give you, if you let them, will change your life,” he said.
James Ogunrin, who wrapped up his last year playing football at Trinity (Texas), said the Career in Sports Forum came at the perfect point in his life as he prepared for his future.
“It has reinforced my drive to get back into sports,” Ogunrin said.
Ogunrin currently works for a media and TV broadcasting company, but the forum exposed him to different career paths in sports. As Ogunrin adjusts his path, a message from Felicia Martin, senior vice president of inclusion at the NCAA, resonated with him.
“Ms. Felicia asked us to think about what’s next. We have the resources to help with answering that question, and it’s on us to take advantage of that.”
Conquer new trails
Each session broadened participants’ understanding of the diverse roles available in the sports sector, helping them to envision their futures more clearly.
Southern University softball student-athlete Aylani Ottley said a quote by speaker Will Baggett, who founded Emergent Executives LLC, stuck out to her: “Championship rings don’t go on smooth hands.”
“That blew my mind because everything clicked,” Ottley said. “The adversity of being an athlete gave me reassurance because I got through it and I’m here now. I’m going to get through it as a professional, too.”
For many student-athletes, entering the professional world may seem scary or daunting. The Career in Sports Forum empowered them to understand that, as they conquer new trails, they have transferable skills from their time as an athlete.
Marcus Borne, a football student-athlete at Southern University, appreciated the insights of the speakers.
“The session talking about working on yourself while also finding people who can push you to be better was great,” he said.
Borne, who earned a degree in therapeutic recreation, plans to connect his knowledge in the sports industry to help aid in mental health efforts.
“I understand from an athlete’s perspective how a bad game or a bad practice could change your day, so I’m an advocate for mental health,” he said. “It’s been a blessing for me to be around people who have a great vision. Everybody I’ve met here has a goal.”
Pitch your tent
The participants were divided into small groups, better known as their “career camp
sites,” to have more personal discussion and interactions.
Within each camp site, two facilitators guided a group of around 30 student-athletes to explore their interests, form tangible goals and learn how to network.
Grace Hanel, who played volleyball at the University of Sioux Falls, appreciated the
one-on-one connections she made within her campsite.
“In the session with our green group, we individually set a goal and then made a group goal to surround ourselves with a team to help us achieve that.”
Hanel said she never been in an environment where she could meet so many accomplished individuals who are motivated and ready to make change. Whether in the campsites, large group activities or even at meals, Hanel appreciated the quality time spent with other student-athletes.
“It’s a lot easier to connect with people than I thought it was going to be,” she said. “I was nervous coming in, but everyone here has been super friendly and wants to create those connections.”
Find your North Star
The Career in Sports Forum provides student-athletes with invaluable opportunities to network with peers and decision-makers at various levels of college athletics.
A networking night allowed student-athletes to meet with professionals in their desired careers. Around 35 career professionals formed one-on-one connections with the participants about their careers in marketing, coaching, communications, administration, academics, student-athlete development, finance, compliance, and strength and conditioning.
The favorite aspect of the forum for many student-athletes was the ability to meet their peers.
“Connect with your peers and learn from each other,” Jennifer Lynne Williams, emcee of the forum and chief development officer at USA Basketball, told the participants. “We talk a lot about networking up, but networking across with your peers is equally as important.”
Ottley said she made a number of likeminded friends.
“One of my big career goals, something we just developed in the workshop, was to make meaningful connections that I can maintain in my career,” she said.
Ella Van Weelden, a basketball student-athlete who is transferring to Cleveland State, said she appreciated the time spent connecting with others.
“Even though we play different sports and are from different parts of the country, it was so easy to connect,” she said. “I loved meeting other people in the same boat as me.
“It’s so rare to have four days completely dedicated to reflecting on my plans and my future and also meeting new people and building connections,” she said. “It was reassuring and much needed, honestly.”
