2009 Sports Career Conference Photos and Recap

Sports Management Worldwide hosted a very successful Sports Career Conference at the NFL Combine on February 20th and 21st, 2009. Approximately 300 attendees gained invaluable knowledge into how to launch a career in professional sports from speakers such as Miami Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland, Denver Nuggets GM Mark Warkentien, and former NFL Executive & NFL legend John Wooten. Michael Lombardi, former NFL Executive and a regular on ESPN, inspired us to make a difference.

As a special treat, SMWW Sports Career Conference attendees were invited to attend the Fritz Pollard Alliance Reception with former Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and Pittsburgh Steelers Owner & Chairman Dan Rooney. Tables were set up for each individual NFL team, and additional tables were set for Sports Career Conference attendees. Being a part of the history and watching the NFL honor it's own gave attendees a brief look into the world of the National Football League and how far it has come.

The two day conference included information about the business of sports including the agent business, scouting, digital video editing, game operations, player personnel issues, breaking into sports via Sports Management Worldwide courses, and how the NFL Combine works. The Sports Agent Panel was a favorite with Jack Mills, Kristen Kuliga, and Jim Solano, a hit for the many sports agents in attendance. The Football Panel with NFL Draft guru Russ Lande and Montreal Allouettes Head Coach Marc Trestman discussing football "inside the gridiron" was fascinating. To mix it up, we heard from the baseball panel including Memphis Redbirds Reggie Williams, famous baseball author Will Carroll and SMWW success stories: Boston Red Sox Ryan Latham and Baseball Agent Joe Bonahoom.

Networking around downtown Indianapolis were agents, head coaches, NFL Combine invitees, and many NFL executives, scouts and player personnel. Downtown Indy restaurants and bars were packed with all the faces you see on television all football season. The activity provided an excellent backdrop for SMWW conference attendees to mingle with key people and to see some future football stars.

Thanks to everyone who came out and joined us in Indy, we hope you all enjoyed being there as much as we did. Plan on joining us for the NFL Combine in 2010!

Download 2009 Schedule and Speaker List (pdf)

2009 Conference Photos
Click on the thumbnails (small photos) to see the larger photo. Use the left and right arrows to see more pictures.

Thank you to Amy Florez and Joe Bonahoom for their fabulous photos!