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Beyond The Field - Player Development

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We develop people and elevate programs.

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We grew.

We partnered.

Then it was time to NETWORK. 👟🔥

After a long Day 2 of learning at the 2026 Player Development Summit, we closed the day at the Beyond The Field Sneaker Ball.

Music. 🎶

Food.

Sneakers. 👟

Great people.

And most importantly, CONNECTION.

The Summit was built around three goals:

GROW. NETWORK. PARTNER.

The Sneaker Ball gave player development professionals an opportunity to relax, connect, and spend time with people who understand this work.

Shoutout to @slhimpact for sponsoring the Sneaker Ball and helping us make this experience happen!

Here's a look back at an incredible night in Detroit.

#PlayerDevelopment #BeyondTheField #26PDSummit #Detroit #AthleteDevelopment by @btf_program

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3 months ago

Day 2 of the 2026 Player Development Summit reminded us why this work matters.

The conversations.
The relationships.
The collaboration.
The ideas.

When player development professionals came together, everyone grew. And when we grow, the athletes we serve benefit the most.

This summit was built around three simple goals:

Grow.
Network.
Partner.

Thank you to every speaker, attendee, volunteer, and partner who made Day 2 unforgettable.

If you weren't able to join us this year, here's a look back at one of the most impactful days of the summit.

🎥 @amariburdinestudios

#PlayerDevelopment #BeyondTheField #Leadership #CollegeAthletics #StudentAthlete #AthleteDevelopment by @btf_program

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4 months ago

Day 1 of the 2026 Player Development Summit was incredible.

More than 145 people gathered in one room because they believed in one thing.

Developing athletes starts with developing people.

The conversations were honest.
The sessions were impactful.
The relationships were strengthened.
The ideas challenged us to become better leaders for the athletes we serve.

That has always been the heart of this Summit.

Not just creating better professionals.

Creating better experiences for student-athletes.

Looking back, one of my favorite parts wasn't just what happened on stage. It was what happened between sessions. The conversations, introductions, encouragement, and collaboration reminded me why this community continues to grow.

Thank you to everyone who invested in the mission.

We'll continue developing people and elevating programs.

#26PDSummit #PlayerDevelopment #AthleteDevelopment #LeadershipDevelopment #BeyondTheField by @btf_program

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4 months ago

Athlete Edition

Athletes, make your @linkedin posts relatable to people outside your sport.

You have lessons, stories and great insights to share.

But some people find it hard to relate because they have not had the same athletic experiences.

When you share a lesson everyone can learn from, help people connect with it beyond the “athlete speak.”

Here are 5 ways to create relatable posts:

1. Share the story behind the post.
2. Share what you learned.
3. Leave an actionable step.
4. Invite others in.
5. Respond to comments.

Athletes, continue to post. I know it can be a challenging task at times.

Making your posts more relatable can help you build connections and encourage engagement.

Save these five steps for your next LinkedIn post.

#AthleteDevelopment #PlayerDevelopment by @btf_program

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4 days ago

College athletics has changed. But these 7 things STILL work.

I started working in player development in 2016.

A LOT has changed since then.

NIL. Transfer portal. Revenue sharing. Athlete mobility.

Some of the things I did back then wouldn’t work the same way today.

But some foundational strategies might be MORE important now than ever.

Here are 7 “old school” strategies that still work:

1️⃣ Build meaningful relationships with your athletes.

2️⃣ Have an intentional plan for impact.

3️⃣ Communicate with coaches and staff throughout your program.

4️⃣ Make time for one-on-one check-ins.

5️⃣ Practice active listening. Pay attention to what’s being said AND what’s not.

6️⃣ Be present. Make athletes feel seen, heard, and valued.

7️⃣ Connect your athletes to the campus community.

Here’s the reminder:

You can evolve with college athletics without abandoning what makes player development impactful.

The systems may change.

The expectations may change.

The athletes’ experiences may change.

But developing people will ALWAYS matter.

💬 Which strategy would you add?

📌 SAVE this for your next player development planning meeting.

🔁 SHARE with someone working in athlete development.

#PlayerDevelopment #BeyondTheField #StudentAthleteDevelopment #CollegeAthletics #AthleteDevelopment by @btf_program

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6 days ago

12 essential steps for college athletes before graduation. Every interaction, mastering transitions, building connections, and practicing interview skills are key. Don't forget content creation and reading! #AthleteLife #CollegeAthlete #BeyondTheField #StudentAthlete #CareerAdvice #LifeSkills #Motivation #SuccessTips #ReelsTips by @btf_program

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10 days ago

🗣️ STUDENT-ATHLETES!

Here are six more things you need to know before graduating:

7. There is someone on campus who can help you, will help you and wants to help you.
8. Use LinkedIn to connect with current and former athletes all over the WORLD.
9. Build strategic relationships with business and law students.
10. Practice your interview skills.
11. Get a basic understanding of content creation.
12. READ!

Reading unlocks knowledge, perspective and opportunities. Read beyond your sport so you can prepare for the life and career waiting for you after it.

Do not wait until your eligibility is over to begin preparing for what comes next.

Which lesson would you add to this list?

#BeyondTheField #AthleteEdition #StudentAthlete #PlayerDevelopment #AthleteDevelopment by @btf_program

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10 days ago

🗣️ STUDENT-ATHLETES!

Here are the first six things you need to know before graduating:

1. Every interaction matters.
2. Master transition now because it will continue to come in some form.
3. Connect with as many people as possible.
4. Ask the people working your games what they do.
5. Get the business card.
6. Get to know the other student-athletes on your campus.

Your sport gives you access to people, places and opportunities that may not always be available.

Do not waste that access.

Which of these six will you put into action?

Part two is coming with numbers 7 through 12.

#BeyondTheField #AthleteEdition #StudentAthlete #PlayerDevelopment #AthleteDevelopment by @btf_program

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10 days ago

Balancing career and family in player development is a real challenge for women.

The choice often feels like career vs. personal life.

#PlayerDevelopment #WomensSports #CareerChallenges #WorkLifeBalance #FemaleLeaders #SportsIndustry #FamilyGoals #RealTalk by @btf_program

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11 days ago

Player development has changed a lot since I entered the space in 2016.

More positions.
More exposure.
Higher salaries.
More responsibility.

But growth also brings new challenges.

Here are 5 realities I see in player development right now:

1. The role is changing

Programming still matters, but how we deliver it has changed. Team-wide mandatory programming has shifted toward smaller groups, individual development, and meeting athletes where they are.

2. The role is still growing

There are more player development and player engagement positions across college and professional sports.

Competition is real, but opportunity is growing too.

3. Women in the role face challenges

One conversation that came up at the 2026 Player Development Summit was the challenge of building a career in this profession while also wanting to build a family.

I am not the person to fully speak on that experience, but it is a conversation that deserves a bigger platform.

4. There still isn’t a natural next step

What does year 10, 15, or 20 look like for someone who wants to stay in player development?

We are still figuring that out.

5. People still don’t fully understand our impact

If more decision-makers understood the impact of great player development, more professionals in this space would be in the rooms where decisions about athletes are made.

That is why we have to keep showing the work.

Post the program.
Share the result.
Tell the story.
Highlight the transformation.

What reality would you add?

Developing People. Elevating Programs.

#PlayerDevelopment #StudentAthleteDevelopment #AthleteDevelopment #CollegeAthletics #BeyondTheField by @btf_program

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12 days ago

Kansas City ✅
Detroit ✅

2027, where are we going next? 👀

Houston
Atlanta
Miami
Phoenix

What do you think?

Super excited about the 2027 Player Development Summit.

Hope to see you there.

#27PDSummit #PlayerDevelopment by @btf_program

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16 days ago

Athletes: Want to see where alumni live and work?

Head to your university's LinkedIn page, click 'Alumni,' and explore cities.

Discover where they're based and where you might want to live.

#AthleteLife #StudentAthlete #CareerAdvice #LinkedInTips #AlumniNetwork #PostGraduation #CollegeAthletes #SportsCareers #ProfessionalDevelopment #ReelsForAthletes by @btf_program

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16 days ago