As my baseball career at Old Dominion University winds down, I’ve been thinking a lot about what’s next. Baseball has been a huge part of my life, shaping my daily life. The idea of moving on is both exciting and a bit scary. I realized that while we’ve had support during our athletic careers, there isn’t always a clear path for what happens after. That’s when I started brainstorming “Next Play,” a program aimed at helping student-athletes transition into professional life beyond sports.​

I discussed this idea with Charmelle Green, the Deputy Athletics Director at the University of Utah, who is of course also my PenPal, and her insights were awesome. She emphasized the importance of development for student-athletes and shared her commitment to making sure we’re prepared not just for success on the field, but also for meaningful careers after sports. With her support, “Next Play” began to take shape, focusing on career development workshops, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities to guide athletes through this significant life change.​

The program would include workshops on resume building, interview preparation, and personal branding. A mentorship program would pair current student-athletes with alumni who have successfully transitioned into various professional fields. An annual networking event would bring together current student-athletes, alumni, and industry professionals to facilitate connections and explore career opportunities. An online resource hub would offer access to job listings, internship opportunities, career advice articles, and success stories from former student-athletes.

I feel every University should have this, and if the correct steps are taken, it could be really successful.