Posted on June 19, 2026

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Reflections from the Allen Sack National Symposium and the Ongoing Mission of the CKA SAVE Project

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By Dr. Keith Adams, Ed.D., CMAA
Founder & President, CKA SAVE Project, Inc.

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Throughout my career as an educator, coach, athletic administrator, researcher, and mentor, I have remained committed to a simple belief:

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Athletics should open doors, not define destinations.

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For more than thirty years, I have worked with student-athletes at every level and have witnessed the tremendous power of sports to transform lives. Athletics teaches discipline, resilience, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance. These lessons matter.

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However, I have also witnessed a challenge that continues to impact countless student-athletes across the country.

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Too many young people spend years preparing for competition while receiving little preparation for life after competition.

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That reality is why I founded the CKA SAVE Project and why I created the CKA Virtual Internship Program (CKA VIP).

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This spring, that mission was reinforced during our participation in the 2026 Allen Sack National Symposium at Howard University.

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The symposium's theme, "From Chaos to Consensus: Defining New Models for College Sports," brought together some of the brightest minds in collegiate athletics to discuss the future of student-athlete experiences amid NIL, revenue sharing, the transfer portal, Title IX, and the evolving business of sports.

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For me, the symposium served as confirmation that the work we are doing through the CKA SAVE Project is not only relevant—it is necessary.

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The Future of Athletics Requires More Than Athletic Talent

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The conversations at the Allen Sack Symposium centered around significant changes occurring throughout college athletics.

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Discussions surrounding NIL, collective bargaining, revenue sharing, athlete advocacy, and institutional accountability are no longer theoretical. They are shaping the experiences of today's student-athletes in real time.

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Yet as I listened to these conversations, I was reminded of a concern I have raised for years.

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Many student-athletes are entering college prepared to compete but not prepared to lead.

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They understand their sport but often lack exposure to the professional, policy, business, and leadership conversations shaping the future of athletics.

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If we truly care about student-athlete success, we must provide opportunities that extend beyond practices, games, and recruiting rankings.

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We must intentionally develop future professionals, future entrepreneurs, future educators, future executives, and future community leaders.

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That is the heart of the CKA SAVE Project.

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Why I Created the CKA Virtual Internship Program

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Several years ago, I began studying what I call Time Poverty among student-athletes.

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Most traditional internships require fixed schedules and rigid commitments that simply do not align with the realities of athletic participation.

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Student-athletes are balancing:

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• Practices
• Competitions
• Travel
• Strength and conditioning
• Academic responsibilities
• Recovery

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As a result, many miss opportunities to build professional experience before graduation.

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The solution is not telling student-athletes to find more time.

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The solution is teaching them how to maximize the time they already have.

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That philosophy led to the creation of the CKA Virtual Internship Program.

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The CKA VIP is a fully virtual, asynchronous professional development incubator specifically designed for student-athletes.

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Through the program, participants gain real-world experience in:

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• Fundraising and Revenue Strategy
• Marketing and Digital Communications
• National Research Initiatives
• Strategic Event Management
• Leadership Development
• Professional Networking

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Most importantly, they learn how to translate athletic experiences into professional value.

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Watching Student-Athletes Grow Into Leaders

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One of the most rewarding aspects of the Allen Sack Symposium was seeing our interns actively engage in conversations that many student-athletes never have the opportunity to experience.

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Sydney Seabrooks

Sydney, a member of the University of North Carolina Women's Gymnastics program, participated as a panelist discussing the implications of the House Settlement and the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.

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Watching her confidently contribute to a national conversation reinforced exactly why the CKA VIP exists.

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Student-athletes possess valuable insights. They deserve opportunities to develop and share them.

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Dagny Johnson

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Dagny, a member of the University of North Carolina Fencing program, approached the symposium from the perspective of a non-revenue sports athlete.

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Her reflections on equity, participation opportunities, and the long-term implications of policy decisions demonstrated a level of critical thinking that extends far beyond athletic competition.

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Experiences like these help student-athletes become informed leaders rather than passive participants.

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Keith Adams Jr.

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Perhaps one of the most meaningful moments for me was observing the growth of my son, Keith Adams Jr., a wide receiver at DeMatha Catholic High School and a member of the Class of 2027.

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Like many young athletes, Keith is growing up in an era where NIL opportunities are highly visible.

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Yet what resonated most with him during the symposium was understanding that while NIL may create opportunities today, education, leadership development, and professional preparation create opportunities for a lifetime.

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As a father, educator, and mentor, that lesson matters deeply to me.

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Athletics should enhance a young person's future—not become the entirety of it.

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Closing the Resume Gap

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At the CKA SAVE Project, we often discuss a challenge we call the Resume Gap.

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Student-athletes spend years building athletic resumes but often graduate with limited professional experiences outside of sports.

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Employers consistently seek candidates who can:

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• Communicate effectively
• Lead teams
• Manage projects
• Solve problems
• Build relationships
• Think strategically
• Adapt to change

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Those skills require intentional development.

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The Allen Sack Symposium reinforced the importance of creating opportunities that help student-athletes develop these competencies before graduation.

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That is precisely what the CKA VIP was designed to accomplish.

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Our interns are not simply observing professional environments.

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They are contributing to them.

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They are conducting research, supporting fundraising efforts, developing marketing campaigns, assisting with national events, and building executive-level portfolios.

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They are learning how to compete in life—not just in sports.

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Building a National Model for Student-Athlete Success

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The CKA SAVE Project was founded on the belief that there is a better way to support student-athletes.

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A way that prioritizes balance.

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A way that values preparation.

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A way that recognizes that success should be measured not only by athletic achievements but by long-term outcomes.

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Through initiatives such as:

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• The CKA Virtual Internship Program
• The Odd Coaches Podcast
• National Research Studies
• Leadership Development Opportunities
• Academic Support Services
• Strategic Partnerships

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We continue to build a model designed to prepare student-athletes for the realities of modern life.

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The goal has never been to help athletes simply survive college.

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The goal is to help them thrive long after graduation.

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How You Can Support This Mission

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The CKA SAVE Project is an independent nonprofit organization.

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Our ability to provide meaningful opportunities for student-athletes depends on the support of individuals, businesses, foundations, and community partners who believe in the importance of holistic development.

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There are several ways to get involved:

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Become a Donor

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Support programs that provide student-athletes with professional development, leadership training, and career readiness opportunities.

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Become a Sponsor

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Partner with the CKA SAVE Project to support innovative initiatives designed to prepare the next generation of leaders.

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Become a Member

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Join a growing network of individuals committed to empowering student-athletes beyond the scholarship.

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Create Opportunities

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Connect us with schools, organizations, businesses, and foundations interested in investing in student-athlete development.

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Together, we can expand access to the experiences that help young people discover their potential and prepare for their future.

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One Goal: Balance. One Result: Success.

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The Allen Sack National Symposium reaffirmed what I have believed throughout my career:

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The future of athletics belongs to student-athletes who are prepared to lead, communicate, adapt, and serve.

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Championships are important.

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Scholarships are valuable.

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But neither is a substitute for preparation.

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At the CKA SAVE Project, we will continue to challenge student-athletes to think beyond the next game, beyond the next season, and beyond the scholarship.

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Because the ultimate goal is not simply athletic success.

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The ultimate goal is building better students, developing better athletes, and creating better futures.

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And that work is just getting started.