Feb. 12, 2015
UCF Athletics Social Media Directory
By Chip Fontanazza
UCFKnights.com
Orlando, Fla. - More the 500 people attended the inaugural Central Florida Sports and Entertainment Career Fair Wednesday. The event, organized and sponsored by UCF Athletics, packed The Venue with many area leaders in the sports industry talking to potential students who are aspiring to break into the business.
The event took place before the Knights' men's basketball rivalry game against the USF Bulls, which took place next door at CFE Arena at the conclusion of the career fair. Admission was free for all students. The event was an opportunity for UCF Athletics to give back to the student body and help many of them make connections that could help them get a head start in their careers.
The idea was the brainchild of UCF Sales and Services Account Executive Jordan Lyda, who took part in a similar event prior to joining UCF Athletics.
It's a great way to bring people together and network in the sports business, Lyda said.
The event lasted more than three hours. Many attendees left the career fair with more knowledge of and a greater network in the sports industry.
This business is notoriously known as a closed-door industry, Lyda said. So to be able to get people in front of decision-makers from some of the sports brands in Florida, it's very gratifying to be a part of that.
UCF Athletics plans to make Central Florida Sports and Entertainment Career Fair an annual event.
It was a great turnout, Lyda continued. We had a lot of people show up from schools all over Florida. Teams from all sports and leagues, nonprofits, the NFL, the NBA and various minor league teams.