Uncommon Sports Group seeks to develop Christ-centered future leaders of the college and pro sport industry. One way that USG develops future leaders of sport is by funding its members to attend conferences, conventions, and events that develop them as followers of Christ and sport industry professionals.
Earlier this month, USG funded three USG members with the opportunity to attend the Women Leaders in Sports National Convention in Baltimore, MD, on October 13-15. The Women Leaders in Sports Convention offers women working in the sport industry an opportunity to learn from keynote speakers and connect with over a thousand women working across the industry.
One of our members who attended the convention was Therese VanderPutten. She currently serves as the Director of Facilities and Events at Kansas University. Below is Therese's testimony on her experience at the Women Leaders in Sports Convention:
"This past weekend I received the opportunity to travel to Baltimore from Kansas to Attend the Women Leaders in Sports Convention with two fellow Uncommon Sports Group members. This was the second time I was honored to attend this conference and my first time in the state of Maryland.
As an aspiring female working in sports, this experience provided me with encouragement, knowledge, and confidence to stay firm in my values as a professional and Christian while I grow in my role at Kansas. Throughout the trip I was able to connect with other women in all fields and all levels of sports; ranging from recreational to collegiate to professional, from operations to business to compliance, and everywhere in between.
We were honored to hear from amazing women: Molly Fletcher, Allison Barber, Jilly, and others; build our knowledge and break barriers with groups and panels in discussing topics like NIL, revenue sharing, navigating work-life integration, and transferring your skills in different levels of sports; and most importantly- connect with other like-minded individuals about the work we do each and every day.
The entire experience of the conference was elevated from the people I was connected with through Uncommon Sports Group. After each day of workshops, notes, and networking, I was able to re-charge and connect with two other wonderful women who allowed me to debrief the day with a humble and transparent heart. Gaining perspective from their respective areas of sport while understanding our shared foundation of faith through the Lord sparked a bond that I am forever grateful to have through this organization.
As I am settling back into my day-to-day events at KU, I am reminded and ever so grateful that I was able to reconnect with an old friend I traveled to Israel with and start, what I believe to be, a strong fulfilling friendship with another. Thank you, USG, for sponsoring me to attend Women Leaders in Sports 2024."
It was encouraging to see how Therese was impacted both professionally and spiritually by attending the Women Leaders in Sports Convention earlier this month.
If you would like to learn more about USG's community and connect with other Christians in sports, like Therese, tap the link here!
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