Over 300 Toledo student-athletes met with 40 employers at "Rockets Rise: Networking and NIL Night."
Photo by: Evan Procaccini
Rocket Student-Athletes Make Connections at “Rockets Rise: Networking and NIL Night”
3/4/2024 3:45:00 PM | Athletics, Academics
More than 300 Toledo student-athletes engage with business leaders for potential employment, internship and NIL opportunities
TOLEDO, Ohio – Over 300 University of Toledo student athletes embraced the opportunity to prepare themselves for life after graduation at the "Rockets Rise: Networking and NIL Night" held in the Fetterman gymnasium in Savage Arena on Feb. 19.
This was the sixth year that Toledo Athletics has held a student-athlete networking night. Director of Student-Athlete Development Traci Korte, said the event is a great opportunity for student-athletes to be exposed to employment, internship, mentorship and Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.
"Exposing our student-athletes to not only networking and employment opportunities in the community, but also ways to engage with our local businesses through NIL is crucial to building their confidence in a professional setting," said Korte. "I'm thrilled we were able to provide a great experience to expand their knowledge of opportunities for life after sport that they may have not considered previously. I'm thankful we have so many great organizations and businesses that were willing to send representatives of their companies to connect and engage with our student-athletes. They are integral to our success as Team Toledo!"
Alexys LaDue, a junior on the women's soccer team, voiced her appreciation for events such as these that help to broaden the outlook of student-athletes following their collegiate careers.
"I've never done anything like this before, so it's exciting to get the experience getting comfortable talking to people and possibly opening the door to something new," said LaDue. "The fact that the university is putting effort into looking for opportunities for their student-athletes to be successful in life after college is great."
Rossford Schools Athletic Director Bryan Smith was one of the 40 employers in attendance. Smith was excited for the opportunity to connect with student-athletes who were willing to be mentors to high school student athletes.
"We are always looking for mentors to guide our junior high and high school student-athletes and this is a great opportunity to network to see if there are Toledo student athletes are willing to take that next step into a coaching or teaching role," said Smith.
Many student athletes have rigorous training schedules that makes it difficult to cultivate professional relationships. Ben Towler, a member of the men's cross country team, appreciated the opportunity to link up with potential employers.
"I think it's a great opportunity to see businesses from around Toledo because as student-athletes, it's sometimes hard to find the time to make these connections," said Towler. "It's nice to have this set aside for us to be able to network with different companies from around the area."
Employers interested in attending next year's Networking and NIL Night or for those with employment, internship or NIL opportunities for University of Toledo student-athletes, please contact Traci Korte at traci.korte@utoledo.edu.
This was the sixth year that Toledo Athletics has held a student-athlete networking night. Director of Student-Athlete Development Traci Korte, said the event is a great opportunity for student-athletes to be exposed to employment, internship, mentorship and Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities.
"Exposing our student-athletes to not only networking and employment opportunities in the community, but also ways to engage with our local businesses through NIL is crucial to building their confidence in a professional setting," said Korte. "I'm thrilled we were able to provide a great experience to expand their knowledge of opportunities for life after sport that they may have not considered previously. I'm thankful we have so many great organizations and businesses that were willing to send representatives of their companies to connect and engage with our student-athletes. They are integral to our success as Team Toledo!"
Alexys LaDue, a junior on the women's soccer team, voiced her appreciation for events such as these that help to broaden the outlook of student-athletes following their collegiate careers.
"I've never done anything like this before, so it's exciting to get the experience getting comfortable talking to people and possibly opening the door to something new," said LaDue. "The fact that the university is putting effort into looking for opportunities for their student-athletes to be successful in life after college is great."
Rossford Schools Athletic Director Bryan Smith was one of the 40 employers in attendance. Smith was excited for the opportunity to connect with student-athletes who were willing to be mentors to high school student athletes.
"We are always looking for mentors to guide our junior high and high school student-athletes and this is a great opportunity to network to see if there are Toledo student athletes are willing to take that next step into a coaching or teaching role," said Smith.
Many student athletes have rigorous training schedules that makes it difficult to cultivate professional relationships. Ben Towler, a member of the men's cross country team, appreciated the opportunity to link up with potential employers.
"I think it's a great opportunity to see businesses from around Toledo because as student-athletes, it's sometimes hard to find the time to make these connections," said Towler. "It's nice to have this set aside for us to be able to network with different companies from around the area."
Employers interested in attending next year's Networking and NIL Night or for those with employment, internship or NIL opportunities for University of Toledo student-athletes, please contact Traci Korte at traci.korte@utoledo.edu.
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