General | 6/18/2025 10:05:00 AM

INDIANAPOLIS-- Wartburg's Marshun Williams was selected to attend the NCAA Career in Sports Forum May 28-31, 2025.

The four-day event 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.

"It was a wonderful opportunity to network with industry experts, learn about different opportunities in college athletics, and develop professionally and personally," said Williams. "The fellowship provided me with insight into the behind-the-scenes work of collegiate athletics, ranging from compliance and operations to student-athlete development.

"One of the most useful takeaways for me was seeing the passion and purpose that motivates so many people in this industry," he continued. "It sparked my interest in working with collegiate athletics in the future and provided a clearer picture of how I may combine my personal interests with a meaningful job. It taught me that athletics are not everything in life, and that it's the journey through life that leads to significant friendships and memories. Having friends, coaches, and people who care about you is what is most important, and it cannot be taken away."

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.

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. 

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.

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.