KU Student-Athletes Participate in Sports Industry Career Night

Jan. 27, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. — A panel of professionals from the world of sports were joined by 83 Kansas student-athletes Monday night in Hadl Auditorium for the Sports Industry Career Night hosted by Kansas Athletics.

The panel participants, Pat Warren (Vice President of the Kansas Speedway), Cindy Smith (National Events Director of the Kansas City Sports Commission and Foundation), Larry Hare (Assistant Athletics Director of Kansas Athletics) and Kyle Vena (Baseball Operations Assistant for the Kansas City Royals), spoke of their personal career journeys, what they look for when reviewing resumes and interviewing applicants, and what jobs are available in college athletics, professional sports and other areas of sports for job seekers.

“We are most pleased with the turnout and interest student-athletes showed tonight,” said one of the event organizers, Laura Jacobsen, Associate Director of Academic and Career Counseling with Kansas Athletics. “The presenters did a fabulous job. They all had unique perspectives to share. We truly appreciate all who participated in the event.”

After the formal presentations and question sessions, student-athletes were able to speak one-on-one with the professionals. The event, lasting nearly two and a half hours, was the first in series of career panels for student-athletes being planned by Kansas Athletics in conjunction with the University Career Center on the KU campus.