SAAC Officers selected to attend NCAA Careers in Sports Forum

For Daniel Pearson and Sierra Hassel, the 2019-2020 cancellation of athletic seasons was disappointing, but the close of the school year is a sign of new horizons. Pearson, the current Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President and Hassel, the former SAAC Vice President will finish the 2019-2020 academic school year as participants in the NCAA Career in Sports Forum. The 2020 Career in Sports Forum will bring together selected NCAA student-athletes to learn about and explore potential careers in sports, particularly college athletics. This unique virtual programming will include multiple sessions, ranging from how student-athletes can become more aware of their inner strengths, how to develop a career plan, practical approaches to the job search, how to navigate as a young professional in the athletics industry, the role of an athletics administrator and head coach, and other motivational and key messaging from speakers. The athletes also will have opportunities to engage in breakout sessions where they will engage in guided discussions to further curriculum understanding and build community with other student-athletes.
 
Usually, the annual forum takes place at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, but the program has moved to a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "It is important to host the Career in Sports Forum this year, as we want to continue providing student-athletes with career and leadership development, even during these challenging times when we are unable to meet in person," said Lamarr Pottinger, associate director of NCAA Leadership Development.

For Hassel, her admission to the Career in Sports Forum and graduate school is a reminder of her goals and aspirations, and serves as a confidence booster as she enters graduate school to pursue a masters in sports management. "This will allow me to expose myself and transition from being an athlete to working in college athletics," said Hassel. Hassel plans to enter athletic development when her graduate school experience is complete.

Pearson will look to use the experience as a launching pad to his post-athletic career. "Growing up, I was not allowed to play football, but it is an immense part of my family, many of my relatives and close family friends work in football, so I'd like to do the same," said Pearson, the 2021 Nebraska SAAC president. "Not only am I passionate about the game, but I want to help the lives of future student-athletes the way many administrators and coaches have helped me and pushed me to become a better athlete and person."

Each served as officers of SAAC, where both Pearson and Hassel learned about the Career in Sports Forum. SAAC served as a catalyst and the first prominent working role within athletics for both Hassel and Pearson. With their experience as officers, both saw the inner workings of athletic administration, where a pathway to working in sport revealed itself.

For those interested in learning more about the Nebraska Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, please visit Nebraska's SAAC page here.