Sfakianaki has great experience at NCAA Career in Sports Forum

North Adams, MA- Each year, more than 460,000 student-athletes participate in 24 sports at more than 1,100 NCAA member institutions.  Regardless of the sport they play, student-athletes all have one thing in common when they graduate: moving into the workforce.

The Career in Sports Forum, an annual educational forum hosted by the NCAA, brings together 200 student-athletes to learn and explore potential careers in sports, with the primary focus on college athletics.  MCLA women's tennis standout Mariza Sfakianaki was selected to attend the Forum and enjoyed a great experience at the NCAA National Office.

"The NCAA career in sports forum was truly an amazing experience," Sfakianaki stated.  "I had the opportunity to network with professionals from all over the United States such as athletic directors, coaches, sports psychologists and employees/interns that currently are working for the NCAA."

This unique, four-day forum 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.

Sfakianaki wasn't shy about how impactful the experience was to her colleagues at MCLA.

"I truly recommend to any MCLA student athlete, if they have the opportunity to apply in order to be a part of the NCAA forum, to definitely apply and spend extra time completing the application.  Being a part of the NCAA forum was a truly an amazing experience and definitely a life changer," she commented.

Sfakianaki wrapped up her tennis career in the fall.  She was the number one tennis player within the program and earned All North Atlantic Conference honors in both singles and doubles competition.  She culminated her career by earning her degree in Psychology with a concentration in Coaching.