Seniors Learn and Reflect at Life After Sport Seminar

Senior student-athletes exhausting eligibility this fall attended the Life After Sport Seminar on Monday night to hear from multiple speakers and prepare for their next steps as Huskers. Speakers included Nebraska letterwinners, current staff, and entrepreneurs, all with the aim to connect with student-athletes and lend advice about the future once their collegiate career comes to an end. 

Patrick Burke, Track & Field letterwinner turned Sales Manager/Recruiter for Union Pacific, spoke with the group of 25 student-athletes about the value in recognizing skills gained during their careers at Nebraska. Burke emphasized the importance of bringing those skills into the workplace and leveraging the student-athlete experience once sport has ended to be a successful professional. Rebekah Williams, Lead Recruiter for Aerotek, then spoke with the group about reaching out to connections they make during their time at Nebraska and the importance of networking moving forward. Williams, a Swim & Dive letterwinner, shared her story of overcoming adversity post-graduation and establishing her identity outside of athletics to ultimately gain a career she loves. 

Sinclaire Miramontez, a senior soccer student-athlete, shared, "I appreciated the Life After Sport Seminar last night as I prepare to graduate. One thing I took away is that sports do not define me, but rather I can use the qualities that made me a great student-athlete to excel in the real world."

Mattie Fowler-Burkhardt, Senior Director of Development Operations for Athletics and Husker softball alum, then shared with the group how they can continue to be positive ambassadors for Husker Athletics moving forward. Fowler-Burkhardt discussed how former student-athletes are key for future Husker Athletics success and resources. 

Following Fowler-Burkhardt, Dr. Chad Doerr of Nebraska Athletics Sports Psychology discussed a few crucial takeaways to maintain positive well-being after the student-athletes' collegiate careers. Doerr emphasized continuing physical activity, engaging in positive relationships, identifying new responsibility, and connecting with admirable mentors after graduation. Lisa Kopecky, Assistant Director of Performance Nutrition, then shared several key points for maintaining physical well-being through proper nutrition once leaving Nebraska Athletics as well. Student-athletes in attendance were given numerous materials to take with them highlighting tips and tricks for navigating the grocery store and making smart food choices after college. 

Finally, Julian Young, the co-founder and CEO of the Start Center for Entrepreneurship, discussed the value former student-athletes bring to the workplace and why student-athletes make great entrepreneurs. Young stressed the importance of always having a plan outside of athletics and ways student-athletes can capitalize on their ideas in the future. 

"I made a great connection with one of the speakers last night during the Seminar," said senior football student-athlete, Mohamed Barry. "I feel like I benefited from the seminar because I took a step in the right direction, making a connection that will help me in the future off the field."

Senior Associate Athletic Director, Keith Zimmer, wrapped up the evening expressing gratitude to the student-athletes for their contributions to Nebraska Athletics during their Husker careers and impressing upon them the value they offer outside of their sport. 

Another seminar will be offered during the spring semester for student-athletes in winter and spring sports who will be exhausting their eligibility this year. For questions about the Life After Sport Seminars, please contact Assistant Director of Life Skills, Tom Lemke.