By Nick Tomanelli, UToledo Athletic Communications Intern

TOLEDO, Ohio – The University of Toledo has nearly 400 student-athletes, but only a handful of them will ever play professionally in their sport. So it's vital that they prepare themselves for life after college sports.
 
That was the main theme at the fourth-annual Networking Night held in Savage Arena on Feb. 23, where over 60 UToledo student-athletes met with 25 employers from various career fields. The event is an opportunity for student-athletes to gain networking skills by interacting and developing contact with different employers in a professional setting. The event was coordinated by Amanda Berchtold, the learning specialist/life skills coordinator for the Student Athlete Academic Services (SAAS) office.
 
"We held preparation sessions prior to the event, helping our student-athletes with their elevator speech, putting their portfolios together, and doing research on employers," said Berchtold. "We got great feedback from the employers. Many said they were impressed with how prepared our student-athletes were."
 
Three of the employers in attendance were former UToledo student-athletes: Brian Stubelt, representing Owens Corning, who ran cross country from 2015-19; Rebecca Welke, representing WealthWave, a member of the women's swimming & diving team from 2016-19; and Kyesha (Neal) Pollitz, representing Schindler Elevator Corporation, a track & field athlete team from 2012-16.
 
Danzel McKinley-Lewis, a wide receiver on the football team, said he was impressed with how well organized the event was. McKinley-Lewis knew his athletic career was not going to last forever, and this event helped him think more about life after football. 
 
"The biggest takeaway for me personally was the speech improvements," said McKinley-Lewis, who is pursuing his MBA. "The representative from Owens Corning really impressed me and told me once I graduate, consistently apply, apply, apply. Even if you get turned down don't let it get to you, just keep pushing through."
 
Brooke Stonehouse, a forward on the women's soccer team, was not sure if she would recognize or know any of the employers, but was pleased to discover that companies from all over the country were represented. She connected with a financial adviser from Northwestern Mutual who offered her an opportunity to job-shadow.
 
"I was a little nervous since no one was there where I'm from," said Stonehouse, a junior management major from Camarillo, Calif. "I gained the courage to go up and talk to people and make connections. I recommend at least going to practice introducing yourself and giving out your resume."

Berchtold said the event was a big success, and that the Athletic Department is planning to host other events that will help UToledo student-athletes prepare for their life after college.