BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Last week, Moravian University's Jeremiah Espinosa attended the NCAA's Career in Sports Forum.

Hosted by the NCAA's leadership development team, the four-day event in Indianapolis brought together over 150 student-athletes. With a Campfires to Careers theme, the forum aimed to help attendees successfully navigate their career journeys after their student-athlete careers.

"I expected to make great connections with fellow student-athletes and professionals in the sports industry, but I had no real expectations for how the forum would fill me personally and spiritually," commented Espinosa. "The connections I made and the inspiration I received were beyond anything I could have imagined. I left the forum not only professionally motivated, but also personally transformed, and those results far exceeded my expectations."

Espinosa was one of 61 attendees from NCAA Division III, and the only student-athlete from the Landmark Conference selected for the forum.

"The Career in Sports Forum provides student-athletes with invaluable opportunities to network with peers and decision-makers at various levels of college athletics. The program educates participants on the intersection of personal strengths and career opportunities, provides tangible experiences to propel their aspirations in sports careers, explores professional and career development strategies and offers insights into careers available in sports," said Ashley Jocelyn, assistant director of leadership development, programs and initiatives.

The forum featured a diverse array of speakers, including Joey Graziano III, executive vice president of strategy and new business ventures for Pacers Sports and Entertainment, and Lacee' Carmon-Johnson, director of basketball advancement for the Toronto Raptors. Jennifer Lynne Williams, chief development officer at USA Basketball, emceed the event.

Several of the speakers made an impact on Espinosa:

• "Charles L. Bailey taught me that I am the CEO of myself and challenged us to reflect on whether we would "hire or fire" the person we are becoming. His vulnerability and message about 'God's Help' as a key to momentum touched me deeply as a person whose faith is my strongest pillar."
• "Will Baggett shared that no goal comes in a cookie-cutter package and helped me realize that I need to remain flexible and open to how my path unfolds. His phrase, 'It's not about the company, it's about the company,' reminded me to surround myself with people who pour into me—and who I can pour into as well."
• "Steve Davis Jr. taught me the value of Curiosity and Connection, helping me reflect on how I can align what I want to do with what truly resonates with who I am."
• "Madison Burrier was a genuine light—she reminded me that there are people in the sports industry who truly want to help. She encouraged me to pursue opportunities that align with my values and goals."

Each session broadened participants' understanding of the diverse roles available in the sports sector, helping them to envision their futures more clearly. Learners participated in industry-specific breakouts, including coaching, internal relations, external athletics and professional sports.

"The forum gave me clarity and confidence to fully commit to my goal of working in project management within a sports organization," continued Espinosa. "I've adopted the mindset that all experiences are valuable, and I no longer shy away from roles outside my comfort zone. I also plan to relocate to pursue an internship or entry-level opportunities—I've realized I've outgrown my hometown and am ready to grow somewhere new. The network I built at the forum will be key as I pursue these next steps."

Espinosa was a four-year member of the Greyhounds' football team, seeing action in 38 games as a linebacker and on special teams. He completed his career with 100 tackles including 39 solo stops to go with three and a half tackles for loss, three pass break-ups and a fumble recovery.

"I'm left the forum recharged and redirected. It was more than a professional event — it was a space where my passion, purpose, and faith all aligned. I'm incredibly grateful to the speakers and peers who poured into me, and I'm committed to pouring into others along the way. I'm walking away not just with a plan, but with momentum and a deeper understanding of who I am and who I want to become," finished Espinosa.

Read the NCAA recap of the event at https://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/6/3/media-center-ncaa-career-in-sports-forum-provides-road-map-on-how-to-stay-in-athletics.aspx.

Photos from the NCAA of Jeremiah Espinosa at the 2025 Career in Sports Forum