Posted on March 29, 2026

By Dr. Keith Adams

Every year, thousands of elite college athletes cross the graduation stage with championship rings, highlight reels, and resumes that are nearly blank.

It’s not for lack of effort; it’s for lack of time.

The relentless cycle of practice, film, travel, and recovery leaves no room for the traditional 9-to-5 internship. For decades, the professional world has failed to account for this. The result is the Resume Gap: a quiet crisis that follows student-athletes long after the final whistle blows.

At the CKA SAVE Project, we refuse to accept that athletes must choose between competitive excellence and career readiness. We built a third option.

The CKA Virtual Internship Program (VIP)

The CKA VIP is a 100% asynchronous, "Grace-Based" professional incubator designed specifically for the volatility of student-athlete life. Our interns don’t sit in corporate lobbies—they contribute from team buses, hotel rooms, and the small windows between lifts and lectures.

This isn’t "shadowing." This is execution. Our interns lead real-world initiatives across four strategic pillars:

• Fundraising & Revenue Strategy: Designing and executing donor campaigns with measurable ROI.
• Marketing & Digital Presence: Directing social media strategy and producing content for the Odd Coaches Podcast.
• National Research: Analyzing student-athlete motivation and their thoughts on collective bargaining.
• Strategic Events: Serving as program leads at marquee events, including the NCAA Final Four, The Sack Symposium, sponsored by The Drake Group Education Fund and the Black Student-Athlete Summit.

Leadership That Speaks Both Languages

Managing a program of this caliber requires leadership that understands the boardroom and the locker room in equal measure.

Roland E. Hairston III—University of Washington graduate student and creator of The Dawgtalk Podcast—serves as the Pilot Program Project Manager for the CKA VIP. Roland brings an executive mindset to the lived experience of the modern student-athlete.

"I am wholeheartedly appreciative to serve alongside such phenomenal human beings, all united around one goal: finding the balance," says Hairston. "This role allows me to directly address the resume gap that so many student-athletes face when their competitive careers end."

All-Americans: In the Office and on the National Stage

The CKA VIP’s proof of concept isn't found in a brochure; it’s found in the athletes who are currently dominating their sports while building their brands.

• Sydney Seabrooks (UNC-Chapel Hill): Sydney is a 2026 All-ACC gymnast who, while climbing the national rankings, has been a cornerstone of CKA’s Virtual Internship Program.
• Dagny Johnson: Fresh off her NCAA Championships debut with Second Team All-America honors (finishing 6th in women’s sabre), Dagny applies that same fencing precision to her strategic work within the CKA VIP.

"I didn’t realize how transferable my athletic skills were until I joined this program," Dagny explains. "Dr. Adams creates an environment where you can actually take initiative and lead."

Why This Matters—And Why Now

The college sports landscape is shifting at terminal velocity. Between NIL, conference realignment, and the House Settlement, the next generation of competitors must be prepared not just to play the game, but to shape the industry.

The CKA VIP ensures they are ready. When you support the CKA SAVE Project, you aren’t just making a donation—you are investing in a future where athletes finish their careers with more than just memories.

They finish with a seat at the table.

Get Involved

• Donate: Support the Grace-Based platforms that allow athletes like Sydney and Dagny to lead: www.ckasaveproject.org/donate
• Partner With Us: We are seeking organizations aligned with our mission of athlete advocacy and professional development.
• Apply: Are you a student-athlete ready to close the gap? We want to hear from you.

Coming this April: Our "Intern Voices" series launches—where our VIPs take the mic to share their perspectives on the future of college sports. Stay tuned.

The cheering stops eventually. We’re making sure our athletes are ready for what comes next.