Kaffenbarger takes part in NCAA Career in Sports Forum

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Defiance College baseball player Nate Kaffenbarger (De Graff, Ohio/Indian Lake) was one of close to 400 NCAA student-athletes who had the opportunity to get career guidance and network with athletics administrators and sports industry experts virtually May 27-29 at the 2020 NCAA Career in Sports Forum.

"The forum was great. I learned a lot from the forum from how to handle not playing anymore once it is all over, to everything coaches do behind the scenes for us as student athletes, to how the NCAA runs, to how to find my 'why' in sports," Kaffenbarger said. "Some things that I got out of it that seemed to be reoccurring through a lot of the speeches I heard was you have to work for everything you want in life and I feel like that is something that I have been taught my entire life, especially as a student-athlete. I feel like a lot of what I learned will help me in the future because I would really like to be a coach either at the high school or college level."

Kaffenbarger, an outfielder for the Yellow Jackets who can also play third base, finished his shortened junior season of 2020 with a .448 batting average (13 for 29), which ranked fourth in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. He started all 10 games, in which Defiance posted a 7-3 record, leading the team in hits, doubles (three), triples (two), home runs (one), runs batted in (eight), walks (nine), on-base percentage (.590) and slugging percentage (.793). An integrated social studies major with a 3.38 grade-point average, Kaffenbarger has played in 74 career contests at DC, hitting .290 (82 for 283) with 19 doubles.  

The three-day forum prepares junior and senior student-athletes for a career after graduation. The forum helps student-athletes learn more about themselves as leaders by exposing them to projects that require critical thinking as well as practical experiences that will strengthen their personal and professional skills and competencies. Through their participation, attendees gain a deeper understanding of roles within the athletics industry and how their personal and professional interests align with potential career paths.

Forum sessions included how student-athletes can become more aware of their inner strengths, how to develop a career plan, practical approaches to the job search, how to navigate as a young professional in the athletics industry, the role of an athletics administrator and head coach, and other motivational and key messaging from speakers. The athletes also had opportunities to participate in breakout sessions where they engaged in guided discussions to further curriculum understanding and build community with other student-athletes. A student-athlete task force also was created to identify and develop specific sessions where student-athletes expressed particular interest.

"It is important to host the Career in Sports Forum this year, as we want to continue providing student-athletes with career and leadership development, even during these challenging times when we are unable to meet in person," said Lamarr Pottinger, associate director of NCAA leadership development, prior to last week's forum. "We must continue to execute our vision to educate student-athletes, be inclusive and focus on bringing these young leaders together in a community format where they can continue learning.

"The student-athletes will gain more insight around the sports industry and careers at the forum. However, they will also learn what their strengths are and who they are outside of their sport. The ultimate goal is to have these individuals walk away more prepared to gain employment after college athletics."

The diverse lineup of student-athletes represented colleges and universities from all three divisions, numerous academic majors and many sports. The forum, typically held at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis for close to 200 student-athletes, was expanded this year to provide more guidance and education, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forum speakers included directors of athletics, representatives from athletics academic services, athletic conference offices, head coaches, and officials in business and professional sports.

"It was very disappointing to not be able to attend the forum in person because I feel that it would have been a lot easier to network and get to meet and know more student-athletes with some of the same interests that I have," Kaffenbarger said.

Besides hosting the Career in Sports Forum each year, the NCAA leadership development office sponsors other targeted programs that assist student-athletes with the transition to life after college sports, as well as programs to enhance their leadership skills. The department also facilitates inclusive programming for athletics administrators and coaches who work with student-athletes on college campuses.