ProLink on Campus

This week afforded us the chance to be back on campus when we were invited by the University of Colorado athletic department to speak to student-athletes about the importance of image and the transition from collegiate student-athlete to professional athlete.

We spoke to draft-eligible football players who had worked out earlier in the day for NFL scouts during their on-campus Pro Day. Our presentation focused on the benefits of establishing a positive image, effective ways to build that image, media training and financial awareness, with an assist from our friends at Alliance Bernstein, certified NFLPA financial planners. Whether drafted or not, any player who has the opportunity to get into an NFL training camp not only has a tremendous opportunity, but an enormous challenge. We wanted to open their eyes to the way NFL franchises are structured, the differences they will see compared to the support that surrounded them in college and some of the realities of the current sports business environment.

The week also saw ProLink Sports featured in an NBCSports.com piece by veteran NFL writer Tom Curran, about the obstacles and challenges any franchise would encounter in the hypothetical situation that they were to acquire quarterback Michael Vick, if and when he was reinstated by Commissioner Roger Goodell. We were asked to outline what steps that franchise would take in its efforts to navigate what would undoubtedly be a very controversial decision.

This is a topic about which people have some very strong opinions. As to our place in the conversation, it's important to note we're speaking from the standpoint that the franchise has already made the decision, and now the question is how to handle it. Like a relief pitcher entering the game with the bases loaded and nobody out. Good luck putting out the fire.

Thanks for checking in to the ProLink Sports blog.

--Paul Kirk / www.prolinksports.net