By Dr. Keith Adams

In the 2026 collegiate landscape, the “student-athlete” is no longer just a student playing a game. They are CEOs of personal brands, navigators of a professional-grade Transfer Portal, and influencers in a high-stakes digital economy. Yet, a quiet crisis persists: the “Resume Gap.”

For decades, the physical and mental demands of elite competition have forced a binary choice: the sport or the future. While their peers spent summers at Fortune 500 firms, athletes were in the weight room or on the road. At the CKA SAVE Project, we decided “either/or” was an unacceptable legacy.

Enter the CKA Virtual Internship Program (VIP)

The “Un-Internship” designed to shatter the barrier between the game and the career.

The “Why” Behind the “What”

The CKA VIP exists because the traditional professional pipeline is broken for athletes. Operating on the principle of “Finding the Balance,” we move the conversation “Beyond the Scholarship.” We recognize that a scholarship is a starting line—not a finish line.

Our mission is simple: when the cheering stops, the athlete doesn’t just have a degree—they have a high-level executive portfolio.

We address the reality of “Time Poverty.” Traditional 9-to-5 internships are structurally impossible for elite competitors. Through a 100% asynchronous model, interns contribute from:

• Team buses
• Hotel lobbies
• The windows between lifts and lectures

We don’t ask athletes to find more time—we teach them to maximize the time they already have.

From Observation to Execution

Most internships are passive. At CKA, we prioritize Execution over Observation.

Our VIPs drive critical functions across four high-impact pillars:

1. Fundraising & Revenue Strategy

• Execute real-world donor campaigns
• Lead the “5-5-5-1” direct membership drive

2. Marketing & Digital Presence

• Direct social media strategy
• Produce content for the Odd Coaches Podcast (OCP)

3. National Research

• Analyze:
  The Post-House Settlement
  Athlete unionization
  “Find the Balance” grant impact

4. Strategic Events

• Serve as On-Site Leads for national initiatives:
  NCAA Final Four
  The Sack Symposium
  Black Student-Athlete Summit

The 2026 CKA VIP Leadership Team: In Their Own Words

Roland E. Hairston III (Project Manager, University of Washington)

“I chose CKA because I want to help shape systems that support both athletic excellence and holistic well-being. I am wholeheartedly appreciative to serve alongside such phenomenal human beings.”

Allison Carolan (Assistant Project Manager, UMW Lacrosse Alum)

“I understand the struggles of being a student-athlete. This opportunity allows me to gain hands-on experience in research and fundraising while finding my own professional path.”

Theadora Rabman (UNC Women’s Tennis)

“CKA matters because the people behind it genuinely care about helping athletes thrive, not just survive. It’s about building systems that last.”

Sydney Seabrooks (UNC Gymnastics)

“I felt a purpose to cultivate this organization so other young athletes can have a leader and instill confidence in themselves. CKA mirrors my mission to empower those around me.”

Dagny Johnson (UNC Fencing)

“I became interested because of the focus on supporting athletes beyond their sport. I didn’t realize how transferable my athletic skills were to the professional world until I joined this mission.”

Travis Dupree Jr. (Lincoln University, PA)

“I chose this team because I have personally experienced the disparities in mental health support. I view this as a way to glorify God through service and by uplifting unheard voices.”

Trinity Dickens (High School Intern & Aspiring Entrepreneur)

“The CKA SAVE Project equips athletes with resources and a voice. As a future college competitor, I recognize how critical it is to understand NIL and the evolving landscape of sports.”

Coming in April: The “Intern Voices” Series

The most exciting shift in our program is the move toward student-led advocacy.

We are no longer just talking about student-athletes—we are giving them the microphone.

Beginning in April, our VIPs will publish bi-weekly insights through a dedicated platform.
You’ve heard the vision—now it’s time to see the impact through their eyes.

Join the Movement

Are you a student-athlete ready to bridge the gap?
Or a partner looking to support the next generation of leaders?

• Visit: www.ckasaveproject.org
• Connect: Use the Contact Tab to apply or partner
• Follow: Look out for our Intern Blog Launch this April