DeWitt, Hester Represent Iowa State at NCAA Career in Sports Forum

AMES, Iowa – Two Iowa State student-athletes were selected to participate in the NCAA's 2024 Career in Sports Forum held at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis. The event took place May 30^th-June 2^nd with around 200 NCAA athletes around the country taking part in the event. Fallon DeWitt (Swimming & Diving) and Jack Hester (Football) were the two athletes selected to participate for the Cyclones in 2024.

The Career in Sports Forum is an annual event hosted by the NCAA that aims to help student-athletes aspiring to have a career in sports, specifically college sports, and educate them on different opportunities and career path options. Throughout the three-day event, the student-athletes can learn and build connections with athletic professionals, along with their peers.

"The Career in Sports Forum was an incredible experience I am very grateful for. It was so inspiring to be with so many people motivated to learn and grow as they enter the sports industry," ISU swimmer Fallon DeWitt said on her experience at the forum. "I want to work with female athletes, more on the business side of the industry, and I got to network with peers who want to do the same and professionals who are already in those roles."

"By attending the Forum I was able to connect with so many great student-athletes and build relationships that will last a lifetime," ISU football player Jack Hester said about his experience at the event. "Under (Justus Jones) mentorship, I have formed a passion for serving student-athletes and finding ways for them to be the best possible version of themselves."

DeWitt and Hester, along with 200 other student-athletes from various institutions, were able to gain valuable experience from professionals on topics including how to intersect personal strengths with a career path, explore professional development strategies to help prepare them for the jump into the sports industry, and learn the roles of an intercollegiate coach, athletics administrator and national governing body staff member.

"One of my favorite quotes from the weekend came from Felicia Martain who said, 'You will always behave in a way consistent with who you think you are.' To me this quote hit home the fact you always need to know your identity and act in a way that is consistent to it," DeWitt said. "This quote also signifies the importance of confidence, because if we doubt our abilities others will too."

"One concept that really stood out to me was to 'Lift as You Climb.'" Hester said. "There are so many great people in this industry that are willing to help you out, as you hope to one day accomplish the dreams you have. So, it is important that you are constantly fostering those relationships that you have built and make them genuine."

Both DeWitt and Hester aim to use this forum as a steppingstone into their career in sports post-graduation through the knowledge, experience and connections they gained at the forum.