INDIANAPOLIS - Trinity University's recent graduates Michael Meese (Williamsburg, Va. / Jamestown) and James Ogunrin (Katy, Texas / Episcopal) participated in the NCAA Career in Sports Forum, a renowned four-day professional development event held annually in Indianapolis. The forum brings together 200 student-athletes from across all NCAA divisions to explore career paths in sports, gain insight from leading industry professionals, and build a national network of peers with shared aspirations.

Throughout the forum, student-athletes engaged with collegiate and professional sports administrators who offered practical advice, shared their career journeys, outlined common mistakes to avoid, and created meaningful networking opportunities. The event emphasized not only the wide range of careers in the sports industry but opportunities for personal and leadership development as well.

The 200 student-athletes were divided into five smaller teams, each led by administrators from NCAA institutions. Meese's group was led by Travis Jarome, Associate Athletic Director for Public Relations and Sports Media at Jackson State University, and Tori Clarke, Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development at the University of North Texas. These small-group sessions focused on providing advice for young professionals entering the sports field, building connections with fellow student-athletes who will become future peers, networking with established professionals, and developing the skills needed to succeed in the world of sports. A key theme of the small group sessions and forum was "discovering your why" and discussing self-reflective questions such as, "What issues uniquely excite me that don't excite others?" and "What careers are within the center of your passion, problems you want to solve, and what you are great at", to open potential professional avenues in sport.

Some of the keynote speakers at the Career in Sports Forum included Joey Graziano, Executive Vice President of Strategy and New Business Ventures for Pacers Sports & Entertainment; Will Baggett, former Operations Manager for the College Football Playoff; Mike Smith, founder of Skate for Change, an organization that uses the skating community to assist people experiencing homelessness; and Lacee' Carmon-Johnson, Director of Basketball Advancement for the Toronto Raptors. 

The NCAA Career in Sports Forum provided Meese and Ogunrin with a great opportunity to learn from current Athletic Directors, Nonprofit, sport-focused owners, and professional sports executives, as well as the opportunity to connect and learn from fellow student athletes as they begin their careers in the sports industry. 

For Trinity students interested in pursuing a career in athletics, both Meese and Ogunrin recommend speaking to Trinity Professor Jacob Tingle for more information on how to get started in the sports industry and how to be a part of events such as the Career in Sports Forum.