Bucknell offensive lineman Nathan Natoli was one of 200 selected NCAA student-athletes to attend the NCAA Career in Sports Forum from Wednesday, May 28 to Saturday, May 31 in Indianapolis, IN.
“I wanted to be part of the NCAA Career in Sports Forum because I heard it was a great opportunity to connect with like-minded student-athletes from across the country who are passionate about their futures beyond the game. I was excited to learn how to network more effectively, build meaningful relationships and expand my professional circle. I also wanted to explore the wide range of careers within the sports industry beyond just coaching or playing and gain clarity on which path might be the right fit for me. As someone who’s always been driven both on and off the field, I saw this forum as a chance to grow, get inspired and start shaping my long-term goals,” said Natoli.
The Career in Sports Forum is an annual educational event that brings together 200 selected NCAA student-athletes to learn about and explore potential careers in sports. It is a three-day event that helps the student-athletes chart their career paths and provides the athletes the opportunity to network and learn from current athletics professionals.
“Being chosen as one of only 200 student-athletes nationwide was a huge honor. I felt proud to represent my school and to be recognized for my leadership and drive beyond just what I do on the field. It made me realize how far I’ve come in my journey as both an athlete and a person. More than anything, I felt grateful for the opportunity, the recognition and the chance to grow alongside some like minded individuals.”
An event like this was a perfect opportunity for Natoli to network as he is looking to pursue a career in sports in a trainer and coach capacity post-graduation.
“I have a real passion for helping younger athletes reach their goals, improve their skills and gain confidence in themselves. What drives me most is seeing that “light bulb” moment when something finally clicks for them. That’s what it’s all about for me, knowing I played a part in their growth. Beyond just the physical training, I want to be a role model and mentor - someone they can trust and build a meaningful relationship with outside of the sport. Whether it’s offering guidance, being a positive influence, or just showing up as someone who truly cares, that’s the kind of impact I hope to have in this career.”
Throughout the three-day event the student-athletes rotated through five different “campsites” that were each designed to help them reflect and grow in both a professional and personal manner. The five campsites were called ; Explore, Sharpen, Network, Grow and Discover.
In the Explore Campsite, athletes discussed their goals for the forum itself and what they were hoping to take away from the experience. They also identified their personal strengths. The Sharpen Campsite allowed the student-athletes to explore their transferable skills and talk about the areas that they want to improve. They also started to develop their elevator pitches. In the Network Campsite, the athletes finalized their elevator pitches and began to practice their pitches with other student-athletes that they hadn't met yet in order to push them to really connect and engage with new people. The Grow Campsite helped the athletes to reflect on their unique gifts, build a personal growth plan and think about how to effectively work towards their long-term goals. Lastly, in the Discover Campsite the student-athletes dove deep into identifying what they are good at, what they love to do and what values they stand by which helped them connect their individual passions with potential career paths.
“The event was incredible from the moment it started. There was so much energy in the building from day one and the leaders and counselors really set the tone. They encouraged all of us to step outside our comfort zones, be present and take full advantage of the experience. Each campsite challenged us to think deeply about ourselves and helped us grow in different ways. On top of that, we had several powerful speakers who shared their journeys through the world of sports and left us with inspiring takeaways that I’ll carry with me moving forward.”
Natoli’s favorite part of the three-day forum were the networking opportunities that were provided to him throughout the event.
“Being able to connect with so many like-minded student-athletes from across the country - different divisions, different schools, but all in the same boat was something truly special. I met people who I know I’ll stay connected with for years to come and built bonds that go beyond just sports. Hearing different perspectives and sharing experiences with others who have similar goals but unique stories helped me grow both personally and professionally.”
Natoli took a lot of things out of the forum, but what stuck with him the most were the words of two keynote speakers Charles Bailey and Will Baggett.
“On the first day, Charles Bailey set the tone with powerful messages that stuck with me. He talked about how we should master rehearsal, speak our goals into the future and live fully in the present. He also reminded me that real leadership begins with discipline and self-accountability. He also emphasized the power of mental clarity and intention.”
Here are some of the quotes from Bailey that stuck with Natoli after the forum ended:
“Another speaker who really resonated with me was Will Baggett. He brought a lot of energy and left us with some deep wisdom. He reminded us that greatness comes from doing the hard things. He also said some things that really put life and focus into perspective and encouraged us to color outside the lines, be different and be bold.”
Read some of the quotes from Baggett’s speech that resonated with Natoli:
“All of those messages reminded me that success isn’t just about talent. It’s about purpose, work ethic, focus and staying true to who you are.”
The NCAA Career in Sports Forum gave Natoli a much clearer picture of the path that he wants to take and the type of impact he wants to have on the world.
“It helped me realize that my passion for sports goes far beyond playing. It’s about helping others grow, succeed and reach their full potential. The forum gave me the confidence to start taking steps toward a career in coaching and training and it showed me that leadership begins with self-awareness and being intentional in everything you do.”
The forum also provided Natoli with a strong network of peers that he can continue learning from in the future and that can help him succeed in his chosen career path.
“Knowing that I’m not alone in this journey and that there are so many people out there who share the same drive and purpose was motivating and inspiring. I’m walking away with tools, relationships, and a mindset that will help guide me as I continue developing professionally and personally.”
Overall, Natoli felt that what made the NCAA Career in Sports Forum so special was the community it created from counselors to the speakers to the student-athletes.
“There was an energy in the room that made everyone feel seen, valued, and inspired. It wasn’t just about learning how to get a job in sports, it was about finding your purpose, understanding your impact and realizing that your journey matters.”
The relationships built reminded Natoli that leadership isn’t about having a title, but it’s about showing up for others, being consistent and staying true to yourself.
“I left the forum more motivated than ever to pursue a career where I can mentor, uplift and serve the next generation of athletes. I'm truly grateful for the opportunity and will never forget what I learned from this forum.”
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