University of Delaware Athletics
NCAA Career Sports Forum
6/21/2022 12:25:00 PM | Football, Delaware Athletics
The Career in Sports Forum is an annual educational program that brings together 200 selected NCAA student-athletes to learn about and explore potential careers in sports, particularly college athletics. This unique three-day forum helps student-athletes chart their career paths. Participants network with and learn from current athletics professionals.
The forum allows attendees to network with peers and decision-makers at the campus, conference and national level of college athletics. Content will meet the following program objectives:
- Educate participants on how personal strengths intersect with career opportunities.
- Provide participants with tangible experiences that will push them forward in their aspiration for a career in sports.
- Explore professional and career development strategies to help the transition to a career in the sports industry.
- Learn about the role of an intercollegiate coach, athletics administrator and national governing body staff member.
Thursday, June 2
Was exciting but definitely, a bit tense as it was the first time many of us in attendance had been to such a large-scale development event and meeting 200 new individuals while not knowing what to expect from the event itself was a bit nerve-wracking. Once we arrived we were gifted backpacks and water bottles as well as our handbook for the event and notetaking. We played some Kahoot on NCAA fun facts to break the ice a bit. We finished by eating with some local Indy sport professionals- from conference presidents to NCAA program AD's, etc. After dinner wrapped up the 200 of us were able to go out and view the local downtown area while allowing us another opportunity to further get to know each other better.
Impactful quote "Life is a moment of opportunity"
Clyde Doughty VP of Athletics and Recreation Bowie State University
Friday, June 3
Had breakfast at the hotel @6:30 and began the day's events after that. Started with a coaching panel and had the opportunity to meet our "small group" aka career huddle teams. We took the time to get to know each other more extensively and work through some leadership and strength workshops. We finished off the day with listening to a seminar on "utilizing your resources." Our MC for the event - Tamica Smith Jones (COO at Kennesaw State University) spoke about different websites to use for finding GA positions.
NCAA postgrad internship program
Winning edge program
Impactful quote "Keep your vision solid but your path fluid"
Logan Hittle Direct of NIL at The Ohio State University
Saturday, June 4
Started the morning off by hearing from William Baggett who talked to the importance of body language and the fact that your first impression is created within 7 seconds. At this point in the forum, I was really enjoying the experience, continually networking with new members of the 200 cohort athletes. The remainder of the day consisted of more career huddles with my Purple team where we talked about transferable skills that we have all can offer to our career pursuits as current/former student-athletes. Lastly, we were able to take part in a pro sports panel and heard from professionals representing the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, and Miami Dolphins.
Impactful quote "Pressure is a privilege"
Sunday, June 5
While it was the shortest day we had together due to the forum ending at mid-day it had to be the most empowering. We had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Lacee Carmon-Johnson about transitioning out of being an athlete. She helped us realize that while most of us have been known by many people as an athlete since childhood- "sport doesn't define who we are, we do". We also had the opportunity to take part in a jersey design exercise where we designed what our "next jersey" will look like once all of our athletic careers are over. Lastly, we had the chance to hear from Jonathan Sprinkles on the power of connecting and how to DM people professionally when seeking mentorship or career opportunities. He finished up by making an analogy that stuck with me- will you be a thermometer that needs the environment to change in order for it to? Or will you be a thermostat that changes the room?
Impactful quote "Recycle the box that people try to put you in"
Dr. Lacee Carmon-Johnson Manager of Basketball Advancement Toronto Raptors
All in all, this was a life-changing event without a doubt. I feel as though it gave me the tools and helped me discover new things about myself that will allow me to thrive in the sport industry. While I am not currently an active member of the UD football team at this time due to injury reasons- I was truly honored to receive the support of Jenn Judy and the rest of the UD athletic department in nominating me as an applicant. It was truly humbling to know that out of 500+ applicants I was able to be one of the 200 individuals in attendance.
