In partnership with the University of St. Thomas-Houston Career Services Center, UST Athletics is excited to announce the Student Athlete Development Program (SADP). This program is the vision and design of James D. Martin, II, associate director of Career and Employer Engagement and is dedicated to enriching the student athlete experience at the University.  

“My passion is assisting others in creating strong personal brands,” James Martin affirmed. “I designed this program to provide student athletes with the opportunity to build and enhance their brands by engaging in personal and professional development sessions that lead to success post-graduation.”

Kickoff for the SADP is scheduled for Sept. 20 in Jones Hall at 6:30 p.m., where student athletes will be enlightened by guest speaker, Bo Porter, former manager of the Houston Astros, about how student-athlete abilities can make a positive impact, and the skills learned through intercollegiate athletics can translate to the workplace. Porter is a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker, known as “The Coach of Champions.” He’s the founder and chairman of the board for Bo Porter Charities and the author of two books: “Real Life EMPOWERED” and “The END GAME.”

“Preparing our student athletes for life after St. Thomas is a very important goal for our Athletic Department and coaches,” Athletic Director Todd Smith added. “We also want to provide opportunities in the real world for our Celts. This program is designed to accomplish both goals. We are excited to launch the program and appreciative of James’ vision and dedication to see this through.”

About the Student Athlete Development Program

The University of St. Thomas-Houston Student Athlete Development Program is dedicated to empowering student athletes to thrive both personally and professionally, extending their impact beyond the realm of intercollegiate athletics. Community partners from various employers, local and beyond, will lead personal and professional development sessions, fostering connections and potential career opportunities for our student athletes. This initiative also serves as a valuable recruiting tool, assuring parents that their children receive not only an excellent education but the essential soft skills sought by employers.

The program encompasses four pillars: personal development, professional development, leadership development, and community engagement. All four are grounded in core values such as accountability, purpose, professionalism, leadership, creativity, compassion, and perseverance.

Tailored sessions cover diverse topics, from personal branding and communication skills to financial literacy and building a LinkedIn profile. These sessions are categorized by classification (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior), ensuring a targeted and effective development experience for each student athlete.