Prairie to the Pros: Sport and Work Conference

March 30, 2026 | Bismarck State College

Partnering with the University of Mary

Turn your passion for sports into a career path.
Join us at Bismarck State College (BSC) for a one-day conference designed for students who want to explore careers in athletics, sports media, performance training, coaching, management and beyond. Whether you see yourself on the field, behind the scenes or leading the next generation of athletes, this event will show you what’s possible...from the prairie to the pros!

Register Here:

What to expect

Be inspired by leaders who have built careers at the highest levels of sport. Keynote speaker options include:

Grey Zabel
Adam Thielen
A representative from the Baltimore Ravens

Our keynote session will include a dynamic presentation and Q&A to give you real insight into the journey from college athletics to professional sports careers.

Schedule

9 AM – Welcome
Kick off the day with opening remarks and an overview of career opportunities in the sports industry.
Morning Breakout Sessions
Choose sessions that match your interests:

Women in Sports
Exploring leadership, advocacy and opportunity for women across the sports industry.
Mentoring in Coaching
Building athletes on and off the field through leadership, mentorship and development.
A Future in Athletics
Career pathways in sports management, operations, communications and more.

XX PM - Lunch
Connect with peers, speakers and professionals in an informal networking setting.
Afternoon Session
Sport Performance: Future Technology in Athletics
Discover how data analytics, performance science and emerging technologies are shaping the next era of athletics.

Why attend?

Get the chance to hear directly from professionals in the industry
Explore real-world career pathways
Build your network of professional connections in the sports industry
Leave inspired and encouraged by great speakers