INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Last month, Head Women’s Soccer Coach Peter Krech ’09 and Flor Katz-Starr ’25, a women’s soccer alumna, attended the NCAA Career in Sports Forum. Hosted by the NCAA leadership development team, the four-day event in Indianapolis brought together over 150 student-athletes.
“The Career in Sports Forum provides student-athletes with invaluable opportunities to network with peers and decision-makers at various levels of college athletics. The program educates participants on the intersection of personal strengths and career opportunities, provides tangible experiences to propel their aspirations in sports careers, explores professional and career development strategies and offers insights into careers available in sports,” said Ashley Jocelyn, assistant director of leadership development, programs and initiatives.
Katz-Starr finished her college career holding CSC Academic All-District and United East Fall All-Academic Team with a team captain title. Her love for soccer does not stop there as she plans to become a collegiate coach.
“This forum allowed me to reflect on my own journey—my values, my goals, and the kind of impact I hope to make in the sports world. I left feeling empowered, informed, and more confident in my ability to take the next step in my career”, Katz-Starr expressed.
The forum featured a diverse array of speakers, including Joey Graziano III, executive vice president of strategy and new business ventures for Pacers Sports and Entertainment, and Lacee’ Carmon-Johnson, director of basketball advancement for the Toronto Raptors. Jennifer Lynne Williams, chief development officer at USA Basketball, emceed the event.
Peter Krech was a dedicated facilitator who attended all of the keynote speakers and presentations, and also helped with networking drill work to help participants prepare for the networking night event.
“It’s always a special honor to represent the NCAA, and it was a great experience to facilitate at the recent Career in Sports Forum. My personal “why” is to help inspire positive change in the lives of others and help people to be the best version of themselves[…]. It’s great to see the student-athletes come together in such a short period to network and develop relationships that extend beyond the duration of the forum,” Krech said.
Each session broadened participants’ understanding of the diverse roles available in the sports sector, helping them to envision their futures more clearly. Learners participated in industry-specific breakouts, including coaching, internal relations, external athletics and professional sports.
The Career in Sports Forum focuses on professional development, equipping participants with the tools to navigate their careers effectively. The forum also emphasized the significance of self-awareness and the willingness to adapt and grow, essential traits for success in the sports industry.