BATON ROUGE, La. – The Lawton Room at Tiger Stadium hosted The Decision, where student-athletes from every sport came together to talk about their life plans. Often, student-athletes are so consumed by their sport that they don’t think about life after their sport. The Decision helped many student-athletes focus in on what they want to do when their collegiate career is over.
While some student-athletes may go on to play professionally, others will not and the time is now to develop a game plan for life outside of college. A panel of two former student-athletes in Justin Maclin and Ryan Theriot, as well as LSU Job Search Consultant Angie O’Flaherty, hosted The Decision. The moderator of the event was the Shaquille O’Neal Life Skills Program Manager, Brenton Sumler.
“The Decision is an opportunity for student-athletes to really sit down and talk to the different colleges on the campus of LSU, to get a better understanding of what degrees they offer, and what careers they can participate in after the fact,” Sumler said. “It’s good that we have opportunity for our student-athletes to sit down with those representatives, have any of their questions answered in particular to the majors they’re interested in, and give them a real assessment of their career goals.”
The first person to speak was Maclin, a former LSU Tiger football player. Maclin played from 2010-14. Maclin wanted the athletes to know that he was just in their shoes last year, and it is important that they start preparing for life after school right now.
“I was just in their shoes last year, and I want them to know the importance of future planning.” Maclin said.
Maclin’s comments were then followed by O’Flaherty. She wanted to successfully drive home the message about how important is it to have successful career after collegiate sports.
“I think it was really successful. It seems like kids were really engaged on what we were saying,” she said. “I think it was really positive to have two former athletes, one really current and one former, who are very successful in their post athletic career, to give insight to the athletes now.”
Last, but not least to take the stage was Theriot, a former Major League Baseball utility player. Theriot played in the majors from 2005-12, and won two World Series titles including scoring the game-winning run in 2012. Theriot thought The Decision was great event.
“I thought it was great. I think to give the kids opportunities to ask questions and to be informed on what to expect after the game,” Theriot said. “I think is unbelievable, I think the resources here are great, and to put it in premium to these athletes is important.”
Many athletes enjoyed the teaching of the session, and feel that it will be very valuable in the future. Sessions like The Decision will provide them a guide to look back at in the future. LSU running back, Leonard Fournette was one person in particular who expressed how helpful he felt the event will be in the future.
“It went great. Just learning about everyone’s past and learning about the things they went through to where they are right now,” Fournette said. “I feel like The Decision will help me in the future.”
The Cox Communications Academic Center for Student-Athletes is a 54,000 square foot facility comprised of an academic affairs, student affairs and an information technology team, serving more than 530 student-athletes. The purpose is to provide an all-inclusive, student-centered support structure for all student-athletes from matriculation, through graduation and life beyond.