Engagement Insider
PHILADELPHIA, PA June 22, 2013 – Business is booming in the Athlete Development industry, and suddenly it has became a hot new professional track within the sports industry.
At every level -- professional, college or high school – this career is coming into its own, and was elevated this week with a Professional Certification Program at The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
“This course offered a “Mini-MBA,” if you will, for professionals in this space who want to move up to the next level,” said Faculty Director Kenneth Shropshire. “Our 20 attendees learned how to do what they to better, such as negotiate, and were also taught how to solve problems with greater strategy than before. Additionally, since they are quality people that are already successful, we teach them how to better frame their day-to-day activities while also absorbing new information.”
Success stories all, and expanded this year to Athlete Development professionals from outside the NFL, after last year’s initial program was just for League Player Engagement Directors.
Therefore, no surprise that the event drew a diverse group from organizations like the WWE and USA Football to go with former players pursuing this path, as well as NFL team directors and League executives.
During this three-day curriculum, participants attended Masters-level workshops that on Day One began with building, be it a learning community or relationships that work. From there, they focused on influence and persuasion, playing to their strengths, and action learning projects & team formation.
Then on the third day, they learned management negotiations and decision-making, before bundling together all that they learned for an action plan to take home.
“We lead all leagues in promoting this fast-growing sports segment as a rewarding and fulfilling career path,” said Troy Vincent, Senior Vice President of NFL Player Engagement. “We have worked with Wharton for years to educate our current and former players for future success, so they were the perfect partner for this exciting area.”