Event Recap: Gopher Athletes Explore Life After College Sports at the United Center
NOVA Foundation team and Gopher athletes in front of the Michael Jordan statue at the United Center.
NOVA Foundation hosts the University of Minnesota CORE Tour for a career exploration event featuring a behind-the-scenes United Center tour and a panel on careers, NIL, and life after graduation.
Last month, 12 University of Minnesota Gopher athletes visited the United Center to explore what comes next with the NOVA Foundation, learning about our Next Game programs for graduating college athletes and diving into career exploration together.
Behind the Scenes at the United Center
The visit kicked off with a tour of the United Center, including exclusive looks inside the Chicago Bulls' and Blackhawks' locker rooms, a fitting backdrop for a conversation about what it takes to build a career in and around sports.
Minnesota athletes inside the Chicago Bulls locker room.
A Career Panel Built for Student-Athletes
The heart of the afternoon was a career panel featuring Katie Savarise, Alex Versen, and Annika Altekruse, each bringing a different perspective on life after college athletics:
Katie Savarise shared the story of founding the NOVA Foundation and what she's learned about building a team from the ground up.
Alex Versen offered advice for college athletes from two vantage points — as a professor and through his work with the NOVA Foundation.
Annika Altekruse walked athletes through the world of NIL merchandise and previewed the upcoming launch of Campus Ink and the NIL Store at the University of Minnesota.
The conversation ranged from entrepreneurship to NIL opportunities to the practical steps of translating athletic experience into a professional career.
We were delighted to connect with such a thoughtful and engaged group of student-athletes — with refreshments generously provided by Poppi and Yerba Madre.
Katie showcasing the 1901 project sitemap and explaining NOVA’s role in the project.
Partner With the NOVA Foundation
It was a great afternoon with the Gopher Athletics CORE Tour, and exactly the kind of connection the NOVA Foundation loves building with collegiate athletics departments and programs across the country.
Interested in bringing a career exploration event like this to your athletes? Complete our contact form to partner with the NOVA Foundation on one of your programs.
Payton Kamin Joins THE Next Game as our Newest Athlete Fellow!
We have some massive news to share, and the energy in the room is off the charts.
The NOVA Foundation and Next Game are incredibly proud to officially announce the newest addition to our family: Payton Kamin is joining us as a Next Game Athlete Fellow!
You might recognize Payton from the court, driving the lane and lighting things up for the Penn Quakers men's basketball team. His skill, vision, and dedication on the hardwood are undeniable, and who he is off the court makes him the perfect fit for the Next Game mission.
What is the Next Game Athlete Fellowship?
At Next Game, our mission has always been clear: we are here to support, inspire, and elevate the next generation of college athletes and create a space for them to determine what’s next after sport. We are deeply committed to cultivating holistic growth—building resilience, fostering community leadership, and helping individuals thrive in whatever their "next game" in life might be.
Our Athlete Fellows serve as the bridge between elite-level athletics and that next chapter. These collegiate athletes create their own athlete socials, build community around sport, and discover what their next chapter will be while competing.
Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter
We are entering a thrilling new chapter at the NOVA Foundation and Next Game, and supporting athletes like PK ensures our impact will only grow deeper. Check out this link to apply for our paid athlete fellowship.
Please join us in giving a massive welcome to Payton! We cannot wait to see his growth on and off the court, and his impact on his community.
Want to stay up-to-date with Payton’s journey and see the Next Game Athlete Fellowship in action? Make sure to follow us on Instagram @nextgamebynova and sign up for our official newsletter here!
recap: next game summit
At the NOVA Foundation, we’ve always believed that the drive, discipline, and team-first mentality of a college athlete shouldn't disappear the moment the final whistle blows. We saw that belief in action last week at our 2nd annual Next Game Summit.
30 student-athletes gathered to bridge the gap between competitive athletics and their professional futures. This year's summit was a powerful reminder: your "Next Game" isn't just a job; it's a new arena where your skills are desperately needed.
We heard from former professional athletes, NCAA athletes who successfully found their Next Game, and executives who translated skills they used on the track and court to the boardroom. We ended the day with a Happy Hour, where athletes mingled with professionals from across the Chicagoland area and gained insight into how Reggie Williams has tackled life after sport and how Hailey Van Lith explores her interests beyond sport while competing.
If you missed us at the Summit, don't worry. The momentum is just starting.
Upcoming Events: Join our Strava Club to stay connected and learn about upcoming workouts, networking nights, and socials.
Stay in touch: Fill out this form to get all the Next Game news delivered to your inbox.
Fellowship: Click here to learn more about the Next Game Fellowship program and to refer to current athlete friends.
You’ve spent years playing for the name on the front of the jersey. It’s time to start building the legacy for the person wearing it.