Kansas City, Kan. (March 30, 2010) - Wichita State University Athletics recently agreed to a multi-year partnership as the 75th school partner with Career Athletes. The partnership provides a national representation of unique career development resources for Wichita State current and alumni athletes. Wichita State University Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Services, Korey Torgerson stated, "We are committed to providing our student-athletes with the resources necessary to help them achieve their life and career goals. The Wichita State University Office of Career Services and Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning are valuable tools to help all students prepare for life after college through resume building, conducting career interest inventories and mock interviews, communicating internship opportunities, and helping with job searches. Career Athletes will also be able to assist Wichita State University student-athletes in understanding the transferable skills they possess to enhance their job marketability upon graduation. Career Athletes will be an additional tool for student-athletes to utilize when making the transition from college student to career professional."
Career Athletes provides Wichita State Athletics the unique ability to enhance fundraising and recruiting efforts while securing thousands of meaningful career opportunities for alumni athletes nationwide. This Online Career Community Network will provide benefits such as mentoring, professional networking, virtual career coaching and 10 years of best practices from the leading and largest career services organization assisting athletes, athletic departments and campus career centers. The Wichita State University "Community Network" consists of current and alumni athletes from the institution as well as local, regional and national employers all managed and monitored by Career Athletes at its home office in the Kansas City area.
DJ Washington at Career Athletes explains that beyond an athletic department's initiative assisting with career opportunities and educational resources, it also helps when there is already a foundation on campus toward academic success. "We are pleased to assist Wichita State Athletics with its commitment toward career development of athletes, but it is also just as important to recognize the program's culture of achievement in community service, academic performance and athletic success," shared Washington, Vice President, Career Education and Training. Wichita State is no stranger to success as indicated by additional achievements during the fall 2009 and spring 2010 semesters:
• 147 student-athletes were named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll helping the athletic department to once again earn a cumulative GPA over a 3.0.
• Over 56% of the student-athletes earned higher than a 3.0 grade point average and nine teams posted a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Emily Stockman (Volleyball) was named to the 2009 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Scholar-Athlete First Team and the 2009 AVCA All-Region Team (Central Region). Kim Wadsworth (Volleyball) was named to the 2009 MVC Scholar-Athlete Second Team. Rachel York and Olivia Martinez (Cross Country) were named to the MVC Cross Country Scholar-Athlete Team. Graham Hatch (Men's Basketball) was named to the 2010 MVC Scholar-Athlete First Team.
Wichita State University student-athletes have been active in addressing a variety of service projects impacting both local and global causes. Wichita State University student-athletes have been active in community service projects such as Shocks, Cops and Kids, the Missouri Valley Conference "Just Read" Program, Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure", Woofstock, Shock Cancer Walk, Lord's Diner, Pen Pal Program, Salvation Army Toy Drive, and Numana: Saving the Starving.
Career Athletes is the leading and largest career services organization assisting athletes and expects to team up with university career centers, athletic departments and varsity clubs, particularly, during the economic downturn.
