Syracuse, N.Y. – Le Moyne College baseball senior Michael Smith (Montebello, N.Y./Suffern) has been selected to participate in the NCAA Career in Sports Forum, May 26-28.

Attendees were nominated by their school or conference, with only junior and senior student-athletes who participated in an NCAA-sponsored sport during the current academic year eligible to attend.
 
The three-day forum, which will be held virtually this year, prepares junior and senior student-athletes for a career after graduation. The forum helps student-athletes learn more about themselves as leaders by exposing them to projects that require critical thinking as well as practical experiences that will strengthen their personal and professional skills and competencies. Through their participation, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of roles within the athletics industry and how their personal and professional interests align with potential career paths.
 
Forum sessions include how student-athletes can become more aware of their inner strengths, how to develop a career plan, practical approaches to the job search, how to navigate as a young professional in the athletics industry, the role of an athletics administrator and head coach, and other motivational and key messaging from speakers. The athletes also will have opportunities to engage in breakout sessions where they will engage in guided discussions to further curriculum understanding and build community with other student-athletes. A student-athlete task force also was created to identify and develop specific sessions where student-athletes expressed particular interest.

The diverse lineup of student-athletes represents colleges and universities from all three divisions, numerous academic majors and many sports. The forum, typically held at the NCAA headquarters for close to 200 student-athletes, was expanded to provide more guidance and education, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forum speakers include directors of athletics, representatives from athletics academic services, athletic conference offices, head coaches, and officials in business and professional sports.
 
Besides hosting the Career in Sports Forum each year, the NCAA leadership development office sponsors other targeted programs that assist student-athletes with the transition to life after college sports, as well as programs to enhance their leadership skills. The department also facilitates inclusive programming for athletics administrators and coaches who work with student-athletes on college campuses.

In an injury-shortened season, Smith slashed .286/.459/.500 and posted three doubles, one home run, six runs batted in and five runs scored over 10 games. The Dolphins went 7-3 in the 10 games Smith appeared.