Career in Sports Forum Provides Student-Athletes a Road Map to Success

The NCAA recently hosted its Career in Sports Forum, a four-day event in Indianapolis designed to help over 150 student-athletes translate their athletic experience into a successful professional career in the sports industry. The event focused on the theme “Campfires to Careers,” providing participants with practical advice, networking opportunities, and a chance to explore a wide range of career paths.

The forum offered attendees tangible experiences to help them forge their professional paths. Participants attended industry-specific breakout sessions on topics like coaching, professional sports, and internal relations. They also heard from keynote speakers, including executives from Pacers Sports and Entertainment and the Toronto Raptors. Motivational speaker Charles Bailey encouraged the student-athletes to define themselves beyond their athletic identity and begin preparing for their careers now.

For many, the event was an important confidence boost. Student-athletes like Southern University softball player Aylani Ottley were inspired by the message that the adversity they’ve faced as athletes will prepare them for the challenges of the professional world. Likewise, football player Marcus Borne, who is interested in connecting sports to mental health, appreciated hearing from professionals who shared similar goals.

Participants were divided into small groups, or “career campsites,” where they could have more personal discussions and receive guidance from facilitators. These small groups provided an opportunity for student-athletes to explore their interests, set tangible goals, and learn networking skills.

The forum concluded with a networking night, where participants connected with more than 35 professionals in fields ranging from marketing and finance to coaching and compliance. Many attendees expressed that the most valuable part of the event was the opportunity to connect with their peers and realize that they are not alone in navigating the transition from student-athlete to professional. These connections, as one speaker noted, are just as important as networking “up” with senior leaders.