How we’re building success in sports and life

You may have read the story Jack Sawyer ’24 penned for The Players’ Tribune following his late-game heroics at the Cotton Bowl. “One More, Then Forever” shares his journey from childhood fan to Head Coach Ryan Day’s first signee to aspiring (and now official) national champion. “Forever,” of course, refers to legacy. But it also calls to mind life after college—a reality now facing Sawyer, who graduated in December, and an eventuality awaiting 1,000-plus student-athletes across the university’s 36 varsity teams.

Aided by private philanthropy, the Department of Athletics launched the Eugene D. Smith Leadership Institute in 2019 with the mission of preparing every Buckeye athlete for their next steps post-graduation. Named for the now-retired Smith, who led the department for 19 years and is known for his dedication to helping young people succeed, the institute is the first of its kind nationally.

And it continues to be fueled by the collective generosity of Ohio State donors. “We are humbled by and grateful for those who share our commitment to helping all Buckeyes lead successful careers as well-rounded individuals,” says Ross Bjork, senior vice president and the Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director. “Since the Margaret and Robert Walter Foundation’s lead gift in 2019, the institute has become the nation’s premier student-athlete development program. It would not be possible without donor support.”

What makes the institute unique is its complementary focus on leadership, character development and career readiness. Programs are created and implemented by staff, many of whom are former athletes. The institute brings together these priorities in new ways, says Makena Lynch ’14, ’15 MS, ’20 PhD, assistant AD for student-athlete development and operational strategy, and a former Ohio State swimmer.

“Our programming facilitates the goal of ensuring that every student-athlete has a post-graduation plan before receiving their diploma,” says Lynch, who’s been involved with the institute since its start.

The hard work is paying off. Ninety-six percent of Class of 2024 graduates either found employment, enrolled in graduate school or signed pro contracts—a 10 percent increase from five years ago. The institute also has a remarkable 99 percent student-athlete participation rate across its programs, all of which are optional.

“Coaches see the value and encourage their teams to participate. We also meet with recruits, so they know about the institute before they’re even here,” Lynch adds.

The institute has over a dozen program offerings. Two of its most popular are the signature Bucks Go Pro (BGP) internship initiatives, where student-athletes can gain real-world experience as they build their resumes and professional networks. BGP 1.0 provides opportunities to intern on campus for eight weeks in the summer, while BGP 2.0 offers 200-hour internships with companies throughout Columbus. Partnering organizations range from JPMorgan Chase and Nationwide Children’s Hospital to locally owned small businesses like Basil Insurance Group.

Basil’s owner, Melissa Basil ’15, is a first-generation college graduate and former catcher for Ohio State’s softball team. Like Lynch, Basil participated in early BGP iterations as a student-athlete and has now hired three BGP 2.0 interns in three years.

“Through Bucks Go Pro, I had the experiences of interviewing, showing up and working. Because of my internship, I was able to transition to a job right after graduation,” she recalls. “Now, as a business owner and former student-athlete who’s been in their shoes, it’s extremely special to hire these interns. The months we have with them are my favorite of the year.”

Although they share similarities, it’s not lost on Basil that the student-athlete experience is different today and will keep evolving in the future.

The institute is well-positioned to meet student-athletes’ needs amid the fast-changing college sports landscape. Examples include developing name, image and likeness courses, and Athletes in Medicine, a job-shadowing and networking program created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic for those interested in health care careers.

Basil says the institute’s growth can be seen in the strength of its programming, staff and supporters. “The Ohio State network is incredible. When donors put their hard-earned money into this, the return is better people in our society,” she says. “They see that student-athletes can be the best in their sport, but also the best in their career.”

Why I’m grateful: Gene Smith

I would often tell student-athletes the story of a young woman on the fencing team. She was at the top of the sport and set to go to the Olympics, until she tore her labrum. That moment changed her life, because she was no longer able to compete. I wanted to help her find what’s next and soon realized we should be doing this for all student-athletes.

The institute was created to focus on their holistic development so they’re ready for life after graduation, whether it’s accepting a job offer, continuing their education or competing at the highest level. I’m grateful that donors have seen the value in this mission and continue to pay forward as they help young people shape their futures.

As we all know, college athletics is changing in ways that many haven’t experienced before. But the constant that we always have at Ohio State is people. We are blessed to be part of this community that takes pride in seeing student-athletes succeed not just as champions in their sports but also as lifelong leaders and individuals of integrity.

People define the culture, and people are what make this institute—and being a Buckeye—special.

Illustration by Michael Hoeweler