CHICAGO, Ill. -
Kace Urlacher has always viewed sports as more than just competition. For her, it's a source of growth, purpose, and community—a place where hard work pays off and connections matter. When she was selected to attend the NCAA Career in Sports Forum, she saw it as a turning point.
Representing Chicago State at the national event felt like both an honor and a responsibility. "It means a lot to me to represent at the NCAA career in sports forum," Urlacher said. "It not only reflects the work I've done on the court but off the court as well."
For Urlacher, this moment was about stepping beyond her athlete identity and embracing the chance to learn from industry leaders, expand her network, and prepare for a future in sports beyond playing. "This experience is bigger than me," she said. "I will get to learn from professionals, build meaningful connections, and gain first-hand insight."
A Platform for Growth
The NCAA Career in Sports Forum is an annual program that brings together 200 selected NCAA student-athletes from across the country. Over three days, participants explore career paths in college athletics and the sports industry, connecting with professionals and learning what it takes to succeed beyond their playing days. This year, the NCAA Career in Sports Forum is taking place in Indianapolis, Indiana from May 27-30.
The forum allows attendees to network with peers and decision-makers at the campus, conference and national levels of college athletics. Content is designed to meet the following program objectives:
- Educate learners on how personal strengths intersect with career opportunities
- Provide learners with tangible experiences that will support their aspirations for a career in sports
- Explore professional and career development strategies to help with the transition to a career in the sports industry
- Introduce the roles of intercollegiate coach, athletics administrator and national governing body staff member
For Urlacher, the forum is not just about discovering job titles—it's about understanding the many ways she can contribute to the world of sports. "Not only do I get to build relationships," she said, "but I also get the foundational tools to be successful in whatever career path I choose."
She looks forward to learning from people who have built meaningful careers in athletics, hearing their stories, and applying those lessons to her own path. "So many successful people with so many stories that I get to hear from and use their knowledge in whatever way that might help me," she said. "There are more careers than just coaching that I am excited to learn about and grow my knowledge in those fields."
Building Connections That Matter
One of Urlacher's main goals at the forum is to connect with others who share her passion for sports and leadership. She believes that building relationships is just as important as learning technical skills. "I'm hoping to meet new people and build either new relationships or stronger ones," she said.
She also wants to gain insight into the journeys of others—how they found their roles in sports, what decisions shaped their careers, and what lessons they've learned along the way. "I want to see how other people have gotten to the jobs they have," Urlacher said, "and to know the do's and don'ts during that process."
These conversations, she believes, will help her grow into the leader she aspires to be—someone who can guide others and create positive change in sports. "The knowledge that I gain from this forum will help me become a better coach and mentor," she said. "Understanding sports from a lens outside the lines."
Preparing for Life Beyond the Court
Urlacher has always been driven to excel, but she also understands the importance of preparing for life after her playing career. The NCAA Career in Sports Forum gives her a chance to do just that—by learning, networking, and expanding her perspective.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity and excited to make the most of this opportunity while representing Chicago State in the best way possible," she said. For Urlacher, the forum is more than a conference—it's a stepping stone toward a future where she can continue making an impact in sports, whether that's through coaching, administration, or another path she discovers along the way.
By embracing this opportunity, she hopes to inspire others at Chicago State to pursue their own dreams and to show that success in sports is about more than wins and losses—it's about growth, relationships, and lifelong learning.
