Bearcats Represented at NCAA Career in Sports Forum

CINCINNATI - The 2019 NCAA Career in Sports Forum was held earlier this summer (June 6-9) at the national headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind., with two University of Cincinnati student-athletes being among the 200 invited to learn and explore potential careers in sports. The Bearcats in attendance included Holyn Alf (women's soccer) and Josiah Deguara (football).

"Being able to represent the University of Cincinnati at the NCAA Career in Sports Forum was truly an honor," Alf said following the event. "I am so thankful that the UC Athletic Department and NCAA offer such great opportunities for student-athletes to grow. Not only did I learn the importance of creating a professional brand, the conference focused on making the most of each and every moment. I am extremely excited to bring these ideas to the University of Cincinnati and help student-athletes around me find their passion in life."

"The NCAA Career In Sports Forum was a great experience," Deguara said. "It provided an opportunity to meet like-minded student-athletes who are striving for on and off the field excellence. For someone who wants to make sports a career, it was awesome to be able to be able to network with so many people across the sports world."

According to the NCAA's website, the event is a, "unique, four-day forum that is designed to assist student-athletes in charting their career paths, as well as provide an opportunity to network and learn from current athletics professionals. The cutting-edge topics covered by industry experts include: how personal values intersect with career opportunities, how behavioral styles impact individual effectiveness, the key professional and career development information to assist with transition from a student-athlete to a professional, and the role of the college coach or athletics administrator. Participants will network with peers, as well as key decision-makers at the campus, conference and national level of college athletics."

To be eligible for the event, a student-athlete must be a junior or senior. Administrators at member institutions nominated eligible student-athletes and with each nominee completing an online application process. The event costs, including travel and lodging, were covered by the NCAA as part of the forum.

Before both Bearcats get out into the workforce, they will first complete their eligibility this year as both will be seniors on the field. Alf and the women's soccer team will open their season - the 40th in program history - Thursday, August 22, when they play St. John's in Harrisonburg, Va., in the regular-season opener. Deguara and the football team, coming off an 11-2 season that included a victory in the Military Bowl, will open their season at home Thursday, August 29, with a visit from UCLA. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. inside Nippert Stadium for a game that will be broadcast live on ESPN.