INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.  – Mary Mazzella and Alexa Restante – members of the Oswego State women's basketball and women's soccer teams, respectively – recently attended the eighth iteration of the NCAA Career in Sports Forum. The 2017 NCAA Career in Sports Forum was held at the organization's national headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind. from June 1-4.

Mazzella and Restante were just two of 230 current student-athletes, NCAA scholarship and grant recipients from all three divisions of the NCAA selected to attend the forum.

"The theme of the conference was Finding your Y. We had to answer the question as to why we want to get into a career that revolves around sports," said Mazzella. "As for me, I'm still planning on getting into coaching for the reason of being a positive role model to young women and to teach and grow the game of basketball. This conference made me more excited to get into this field."

Forum attendees, with representation from 73 conferences, heard from various keynote speakers and panelists, highlighted by Stevie Baker-Watson, associate vice president and director of athletics at DePauw University; Jason Burton, head women's basketball coach at the Texas A&M University-Commerce; Clyde Doughty Jr, director of athletics at Bowie State University; Oliver Luck, NCAA executive vice president of regulatory affairs; Felicia Martin, vice president of the NCAA Eligibility Center; and Craig McPhail, director of athletics at Lees-McRae College. The participants also learned best practices for gaining employment and gathering a better understanding of what future expectations will be once they get a job in sports.

"[The forum] opened my eyes to many of the opportunities that lie ahead after graduation," reflected Restante. "We were in an environment very conducive to learning, meeting people from all around the areas of collegiate athletics, as well as being able to network with many working individuals. I am so appreciative to Oswego for nominating me and to the NCAA for such an unbelievable and helpful experience."

The NCAA leadership development department provides professional and personal development for the entire Association, including student-athletes, coaches and administrators, through accessible resources, strategic partnerships and annual customized programming at little or no cost to the membership. For more information, please go to ncaa.org/leadershipdevelopment.