INDIANAPOLIS - Saginaw Valley State University Men's Track & Field Student-Athlete Brady Watson recently traveled to Indianapolis to participate in the 2015 NCAA Career in Sports Forum, which took place from June 4-7. The annual event includes more than 200 current student-athletes and NCAA postgraduate scholarship recipients.
Participants who expressed an interest in pursuing a career in sports, and who were viewed as leaders on their campus, were invited to apply to attend the forum after a nomination by athletics administrators at their respective schools. Many current and past attendees are members of their Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the student-athlete voice within the NCAA governance structure.
Watson, the current Vice President of the SVSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, spoke about his initial reaction when he first entered the forum...
"At first, it was a bit overwhelming because there were so many student-athletes in attendance, spanning every division of the NCAA. It really gives you a perspective of how big the NCAA is and how much of an impact the organization has on student-athletes across the country."
Watson was one of many college athletes who were exposed to a broader scope of the career tracks available within the sports business, with the primary focus on college athletics. The forum provided student-athletes interactive experiences with successful individuals in the sports business and a peek into their day-to-day duties and responsibilities.
"I met a lot of people who hold various positions in the NCAA," stated Watson, who will be a junior in the upcoming 2015-16 season for the track team. "Meeting those individuals really opened my mind to what I can achieve when I finish my degree here at SVSU."
Forum attendees heard from keynote speakers and panelists, highlighted by NCAA president Mark Emmert, Great Lakes Valley Conference commissioner Jim Naumovich and Ole Miss Director of Athletics Ross Bjork. The participants also learned best practices for gaining employment and gathering a better understanding of what future expectations will be once they get a job in sports.
"I wish I could go back and experience more," added Watson. "The friends, experiences and memories that I gained from attending the forum will last forever and make me fully determined to reach my goal of becoming an Athletic Administrator. Attending this forum was personally and professionally one of the best experiences of my life!"
The NCAA leadership development department provides professional and personal development for the entire Association, including student-athletes, coaches and administrators, through accessible resources, strategic partnerships and annual customized programming at little or no cost to the membership. For more information, please go to www.NCAA.org/leadershipdevelopment.
