FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University's
Roberto Baroniel recently attended the 2015 NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis, Ind. Along with attending the forum, Baroniel was named a finalist for the 2015 John McLendon Postgraduate Scholarship.
What is the NCAA Career in Sports Forum? The Career in Sports Forum, an annual educational forum hosted by the NCAA, brings together 200 selected student-athletes to learn and explore potential careers in sports, with the primary focus on intercollegiate athletics.
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. Participants hear from a variety of speakers and panelists during large, general sessions, and throughout the program engage as well with peers in focused, small-group classroom discussions called "Color Teams."
The cutting-edge topics brought by industry experts include: how personal values intersect with career opportunities, how behavioral styles impact individual effectiveness, the key professional and career development information that assists with transition from a student-athlete to a professional, and the role of the intercollegiate coach or athletic administrator. You will also network with your peers, as well as the key decision-makers at the campus, conference and national level of intercollegiate athletics.
What is the John McLendon Postgraduate Scholarship?
Roberto Baroniel Nova Southeastern University — Athletic Administration Shannon Bustillos University of Maryland — Juris Doctorate
Kenneth Ester Jr. Michigan State University — Sports Management
Toddrick Gotcher Texas Tech University — Sport Management
Heidi Liou Ohio State University — Master's in Sport Management
Ezinne Ofoegbu San Diego State University — Postsecondary Education and Student Affairs w/ Concentration in Athletic Administration
Destiny S. Price University of Texas at Arlington — Sports Administration
Jose Daniel Rodriguez Washington State University — Sport Athletic Leadership and Administration
Alicia Kathleen Whittle Kennesaw State University — Integrated Global Communication Danny Zoegar Seton Hill University — MBA - Sport Management
The above mentioned finalist names were forwarded to the John McLendon Memorial Minority Blue Ribbon Committee by the John McLendon Awards Selection Committee for final consideration. The Selection Committee consists of several respected minority athletics directors and administrators, including past McLendon scholarship recipients. Of the ten nominees, five winners will be selected, each receiving a $10,000 scholarship to be used towards postgraduate studies in athletics administration. Funding for the scholarship program has been provided in part by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA); Capital One; the Cleveland Cavaliers; Major League Baseball (MLB); the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A); the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC); the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA); the National Basketball Association (NBA); the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA); and Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Roberto "Bubba" Baroniel's Take "Attending an event such as the Career in Sports Forum could not have come at a better time. When I think about my own personal journey and where I am currently, I have reached this bridge. And as I approach this bridge, there's a lot of uncertainty in regards to what the future holds on the other side. The timing of it was so perfect because as I begin to walk upon this bridge, I am reminded about who I am and what it is that I value within my life. This forum helped me reevaluate what type of a leader I am and what I need to improve on. It assured me that whatever career path I choose, it will be based upon my core value of building relationships with those who surround me.
"But most importantly, it taught me that the time is NOW. The reality of it is, we don't know what's on the other side of the bridge. Every step we take is taken with the mentality of living in the moment. Controlling what we can control today and constantly striding in the right direction to reach out destination.
"This is an event I'd highly recommend to any student-athlete interested in pursuing a career in athletics. Dawn Buth, the leadership development staff, and Clyde Doughty did an outstanding job all throughout the week.
"As far as being named a finalist for the 2015 John McLendon Postgraduate Scholarship, the idea of the scholarship speaks to the value of inclusion, which is a value that speaks to the very nature of collegiate athletics.
"I was overcome with a great sense of pride when I found out I was a finalist. Not just pride for myself, but for being able to represent Nova Southeastern University, our athletic department, and all of the individuals who have played a role in my life, equipping me with the tools to make things such as this possible. Overall, I am extremely grateful and fortunate for the consideration of the scholarship."
