TOLEDO, Ohio — The University of Toledo's Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) will host its eighth annual "Rockets Rise: Networking & NIL Night" in Savage Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 6:00 p.m. The event aims to prepare Rocket student-athletes for graduation and life after sport by giving them the opportunity to connect with local, regional and national employers in a variety of industries.

Networking & NIL Night will welcome leaders from the business, education and government arenas who will assist student-athletes from Toledo's 17 varsity sports build valuable professional skills and relationships. The employers may also discuss opportunities with the student-athletes in the areas of Name Image Likeness (NIL), internships, mentorships, part-time and full-time employment.

"Networking Night is a unique and powerful opportunity to connect local, regional, and national companies with our high-achieving student-athletes—individuals who bring discipline, leadership, and drive to everything they do," said Director of Student-Athlete Development Traci Snyder. "Whether your company is offering internships, part-time or full-time jobs, or just looking to make connections- we welcome all industries and businesses to attend. This event is integral to assisting our student-athletes in preparing for life after sport and also gives them a vital chance to build confidence, practice professional communication, and learn to navigate real-world professional relationships."

Who Are We Looking For?
Employers and companies offering a wide variety of opportunities for student-athletes to be able to work towards their career goals are encouraged to participate.

The Toledo Athletic Department encourages employers to participate even if there are no current internship or job opportunities available. This networking event will benefit the student-athletes regardless as they explore future career paths and seek valuable professional experiences. This event will also allow employers that may be interested in Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) connections, the opportunity to connect with student-athletes in that area.

Timeline of the Event
Employers will check in at 5:00 p.m., and the event will be open to all student-athletes from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Registration Information
The deadline to register for "Rockets Rise: Networking & NIL Night" is Feb. 1, 2026. Once registration and payment are complete, a confirmation will be sent out with additional details. Register online at https://app.utrockets.com/RiseNetworking

Early registration is $115 per company until Dec. 31, 2025. On Jan. 1, 2026, registration price will increase to $130. Employers are welcome to bring up to (2) representatives per company.
Note: Please only pay registration one time per company, even if two representatives are attending from the same company.

Networking Night is one of several career development initiatives offered by SASS, which also includes resume workshops, job shadowing opportunities and the Rockets Ascend Pathways Program.

For more information contact Traci Snyder, Toledo's Director of Student-Athlete Development in the SASS office at traci.snyder@utoledo.edu or go online: https://www.utoledo.edu/success/sass/NCAASAA.html