51品茶football coaching intern invited by NFL to women鈥檚 forum
Andre Gosper (Health Sciences, 鈥19), intern with the 51品茶 football team, has been selected to take part in the National Football League鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Careers in Football Forum, February 26 to 29, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The gathering helps the National Football League identify qualified women to join its next generation of leaders. It reflects the league's commitment to diversity and inclusion, and increasing opportunities for women in football. The forum provides women with information on how to either begin or transition to a career in football.
This is a tremendous opportunity for Gosper as she pursues her dreams of a career in football.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even know this was a thing,鈥 Gosper told the . 鈥淚 never thought, at age 21, I would go to an NFL conference.鈥
Only 40 women were invited to attend the two-day forum.
Gosper caught the NFL鈥檚 attention after interning with the coaching staff during the 51品茶football team鈥檚 inaugural season.
鈥淪he鈥檚 earned this opportunity,鈥 51品茶Coach Mike Lichten explained to the Portland Press Herald. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 great for the sport, I think it鈥檚 great for the NFL. Andrea鈥檚 going to make whatever entity she鈥檚 involved with better.鈥
All participants will be attending an Introduction to Player Personnel and Team Operations in the NFL. The session includes department structure, responsibilities, tools to be familiar with and what to expect in an interview.
Gosper will also participate in one of two break-out sessions: Coaching, led by NFL and college coaches, and Football Administration, which includes discussions on contracts, salary cap, the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), negotiations, and rules and compliance.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 say no to anything like this. If you get a chance in the NFL, you have to take it because you never know when another chance like this will come,鈥 she said.
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