The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Student-Athlete Development (4EVER TEXAS)
4EVER TEXAS Student-Athlete Development is a comprehensive and transformational program designed to educate, equip, and empower Longhorn student-athletes for success while in college and beyond.
Our mission is to provide student-athletes with the knowledge, skills, resources, and confidence necessary to successfully transition from collegiate sports and change the world for the better.
At The University of Texas, we say "what starts here changes the world,” and that is exactly what Texas Athletics had in mind with the creation of the 4EVER TEXAS Student-Athlete Development Program for all student-athletes in Fall 2019.
The name 4EVER TEXAS and the three pillars were coined by Kevin Washington (KWash), Director of Player Development for Football and then embraced for all sports. The number “4”, similar to the quarters in a game, is the finite time that a student-athlete has while attending UT and the “EVER” recognizes the longevity of the experiences and relationships established within those 4 years that will be the foundation for the next 40+ years and beyond!
4EVER TEXAS programming also builds on the efforts of the “AfterTexas” directed by Dr. Christina “Tina” Kien, who worked from 1999-2020 with Texas men and women student-athletes on learning, leadership, community engagement and career development.
Throughout their time in the 4EVER TEXAS program, Longhorn student-athletes begin making professional connections with employers, alumni, and T-Association letterwinners across the country.
Our student-athletes have a unique platform to positively impact the world as well as create a lasting legacy of success in all areas of their lives now and 4EVER!
PROGRAM PILLARS:
The 4EVER TEXAS Student-Athlete Development Program is composed of three pillars:
- Character and Personal Development
- Community Service & Civic Engagement
- Career and Professional Development
Character and Personal Development is designed to help transform our student-athletes into the best versions of themselves by focusing on their own personal growth and development. We empower and educate student-athletes on how to unlock the tools necessary to help them reach their full potential as individuals while also providing them with the resources to become outstanding leaders and members of their communities.
The Character pillar is broken down into the following five (5) categories:
- Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) - The reason our NIL programing is under the category of Character is because at the core of NIL is about the person. Only from self-awareness of your values, purpose, boundaries, interests, and identity can a student-athlete leverage the opportunities that exist because of their name, image, and likeness. Our NIL program therefore is entitled LEVERAGE. Through self-discovery student-athletes are able to determine how they want to brand themselves, how to pitch that brand, and how to begin to use their platform effectively.
- As a result of the LEVERAGE education, student-athletes will be able to identify areas of interest outside of their sport that align with who they are and learn to pitch and execute branding ideas that can lead to financial benefit.
- Financially Empowered - In partnership with UFCU we strive to equip every student-athlete with the knowledge, understanding, and confidence to make sound financial decisions for themselves and their future. We provide an overview of concepts, access to online modules that provide experiential learning opportunities, and one-on-one coaching to personalize understanding. We provide financial education not advise or recommendations. We provide information rather than endorse products, actions, or companies.
- As a result of the financially empowered education, student-athletes will be able to budget, save, spend, and invest wisely to be resilient through predictable and unpredictable life events. Student-athletes will also have a general understanding of personal taxes and how to identify financial advisors for future spending.
- Health & Wellness / Longhorns Take the Lead (LTTL) - In collaboration with the Texas Athletics Nutrition and Behavior Health Teams as well as the Longhorn Wellness Center we provide resources and spaces for discussions around mental health, relationship health, violence prevention, and strategies towards all aspects of wellness for life during and after collegiate sport.
- As a result of the health and wellness education, student-athletes will be able to self-manage and address problems appropriately.
- Intercultural Competency - Understanding our communication styles, habits, and tendencies and how they may serve or work against us when interacting with individuals from other cultural backgrounds is a valuable personal benefit especially in today’s global climate.
- As a result of the intercultural competency education, student-athletes will be able to articulate their own identities, understand and express personal values and viewpoints, as well as bridge differences and commonalities.
- Leadership Development - We strive to explore each student-athlete's understanding of leadership and embrace their unique way of leading. Everyone has the potential to lead and every leader must also know how to effectively follow the lead of others.
- As a result of the leadership development education, student-athletes will be able to recognize their own natural way of leading, amplify the voices of others, develop goals and plans as well as prioritize commitments.
Community Service & Civic Engagement is designed to help our student-athletes understand the importance of giving back to their communities by providing meaningful service and engagement opportunities.
- As a result of the community engagement education, student-athletes will be able to utilize their unique platform and skills to positively impact their local communities, as well as communities across the world.
Career and Professional Development is designed to enhance the career and professional development of our student-athletes by providing guidance through the career exploration process, exclusive experiential learning opportunities and access to an extensive network of employers who are looking to hire our outstanding student-athletes. We provide education on professionalism, interviewing, job search, elevator pitch, use of LinkedIn/HookedIn.
- As a result of the career development education, student-athletes will be able to access countless resources and tools aimed to sharpen their professional skills necessary to set them apart from the competition.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE:
The program's curriculum is structured so that each academic year, Longhorn student-athletes participate in progression of workshops, events, and experiential learning opportunities and complete specific tasks in each pillar in order to enhance their preparation for life after the Forty Acres.
We recognize that each person comes to us at different stages in their development and that everyone learns differently. Therefore, while we provide the structure of 6 specific programmatic categories described above (NIL Education/ LEVERAGE, Financial Empowerment, Health & Wellness, Leadership Development, Community Service, and Career Development), that student-athletes need to develop within each year that they are with us, we allow the student-athletes to choose their own adventure within each category rather than prescribe exactly which sessions student-athletes should take.
From our list of events, student-athletes can use a scorecard like the one pictured here to determine which events they will go to that will fulfill each category.
Student-athletes also have opportunities to take part in holistic, experiential,and transformational experiences (see offerings below).
WHAT WE OFFER:
The following is a list of some examples of the many offerings that we provide our student-athletes. This is not an exhaustive list:
Career Fair
Career Fair - This event gives student-athletes and potential employers a chance to meet one another, establish professional relationships, and discuss potential job and/or internship opportunities. Though student-athletes are also encouraged to attend the career fair put on by their respective College, the student-athletes career fair is unique in that the recruiters are actual UT graduates and former student-athletes who are excited to come back and recruit from their alma mater in addition to the fair being scheduled with practice and competition schedules in mind. Note: Attending does not guarantee a job. The purpose of a career fair is to enhance your job search network and learn more about organizations hiring UT students.
- The next Career & Internship Fair will be held in Fall 2024. If you are interested in joining us sign up on Handshake beginning August 2024.
- If you are interested in joining us sign up on Handshake.
- For a listing of all the Career Fairs & Employer Events happening across campus go to: https://careerengagement.utexas.edu/undergraduate-students/connect-with-employers/career-fairs-and-employer-events/
Career Treks
Career Treks - These one day-trips are opportunities for student-athletes to visit local businesses (Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth) or two-day trips to businesses in major cities (New York City, Washington DC, California, Chicago, and Pennsylvania). During the career trek student-athletes participate in tours of organization facilities, learn about different positions within the organization, and network with industry professionals. Many of the organizations we visit are identified through our partnership with T-Association, Texas Exes alumni, and UT affiliates.
- If you are interested in hosting a group of student-athletes, contact: 4EVERTEXAS@athletics.utexas.edu
Community Service Opportunities - Domestic
Examples:
- We work closely with SAAC and the Neighborhood Longhorns Program to support children in grades 2nd – 8th grade within the Austin community who do not have access to sports equipment or leagues.
- In the 23-24 academic year in partnership with Truist Bank each month we recognize 2 student-athletes as Hook’Ems Community Heroes learned about the causes they are passionate about and donated to a charity of their choosing.
- View a highlight video from the 2023 Austin Juneteenth Parade
To request a student-athlete to appear at an event fill out the student-athlete appearance form.
(scroll to the bottom of the page):
Dining Etiquette
Dining Etiquette - This is an opportunity to learn the socially acceptable behavioral protocol for formal dinners, receptions, and other professional social events. Table manners and picking up on visual signals are essential in professional success. This event does provide student-athletes with a 3-5 course meal and requires that they wear professional attire.
Educational Workshops
Educational Workshops - We provide 60 – 90-minute workshops with leading expects that are both informative and interactive. Student-athlete leave with tangible takeaways that they can apply immediately. These workshops are also leadership opportunities where select student-athlete can co-lead or moderate sessions alongside the leading experts to provide their relatable perspective for their peers and gain valuable real-life practice that they can market on their resume and in interviews. These workshops are open to all student-athletes of all sports providing an opportunity for student-athletes to get to know and engage with student-athletes from other sports/teams.
- View some highlight videos from previous workshops:
Community Service Opportunities - International
Community Service Opportunities - International - In partnership with Courts for Kids, we provide two global service trip opportunities for student-athletes to experience each summer (May and July). Student-athletes will have the opportunity to participate in pre-trip training, in-country service projects, while being fully immersed in a new culture. Texas Athletics covers all program expenses and international travel costs for this trip, with the exception of personal spending money, which is the student-athlete’s responsibility.
- View some highlight videos from previous service trips:
Job Shadowing
Job Shadowing - Often due to student-athlete practice and competition schedules they are unable to secure tradition internship opportunities yet this is an important aspect of the job search process where one can learn about industry and fit while demonstrating skills and building their industry specific network. To assist student-athletes, we offer job shadowing opportunities where we match them with professionals in industries they are interested in or curious about who understand and can accommodate the student-athlete’s practice and competition schedules. The student-athlete can spend time learning about what the professional does, meeting key stakeholders in the company, and assisting with tasks or projects around their schedule and for the duration that suits both parties. We don’t take for granted that many of our Athletics staff are doing jobs that our student-athletes might be interested in so often their first job shadow experience takes place conveniently on the 40 acers as they explore career options.
LLMP (Longhorn Legacy Mentorship Program)
LLMP (Longhorn Legacy Mentorship Program) - Opportunities for student-athletes to be paired up with former student-athletes alumni who are from their hometown in their desired profession / industry from their sport, or a combination of the three. This is a year-long program with at least 5 international interaction points to engage at least 2x in-person and opportunities to attend UT sporting events together
Networking Events
Networking Events - These can be receptions or like speed networking sessions where student-athletes get an opportunity to meet and mingle with donors and/or alumni from different professional industries.
- If you are interested in participating in a networking event, contact: 4EVERTEXAS@athletics.utexas.edu
Alumni Panels
Alumni Panels - These are opportunities for alumni and leading experts to share wisdom and insights with student-athletes. If at all possible, panels invite a student-athlete to moderate the panel. Student-athletes are encouraged to come ready to engage during the question-and-answer portion.
Socio-Cultural Excursions
Socio-Cultural Excursions - These are 3-day trips, typically over a weekend, where student-athletes can explore the culture of a city through its museums, monuments, historic sights, etc. The trip includes opportunities to meet and learn from donors and UT alumni who live in the city we are visiting. The student-athletes will also be given reflection exercises around personal observations, historical contexts, intercultural development, and socio-economic frameworks to get the most out of the experience. All flights, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, and group activities will be paid for by Texas Athletics.
Student-Athlete Groups
Student-Athlete Groups - In addition to all the available student organizations which any Longhorn can join (check out HornsLink), 4EVER TEXAS hosts a number of student-athlete specific organizations that allows student-athletes from all sports to gather, discuss, and learn from others student-athletes who have similar interests. This space allows student-athletes to bring in speakers or plan events specific to their interests. Some student-athlete organizations are affinity-based and some are career interest based. Examples of current student-athlete organizations:
- SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee)
- SABC (Student-Athlete Business Club)
- Student-Athlete Pre-Law Organization
- TAPHO (Texas Athletics Pre-Health Organization)
- Texas ISA (International Student-Athletes)
View a highlight video of TAPHO hosting a workshop with UT Emergency Medicine Physician, Dr. Suneet Singh where he broke down the medical team’s response to the NFL player Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest:
1-on-1 Coaching
1-on-1 Coaching - These are opportunities for student-athletes to receive customized coaching that goes above and beyond a workshop or event that they have attended. Examples of coaching topics include but is not limited to: career exploration, resume or cover letter review, professional writing for graduate school applications, NIL deals or pitches, branding, and financial literacy.
- A range of staff members are available to speak with student-athletes dependent on the topic. We partner with many departments and organizations to provide this service including: Texas Athletics Academic Services, Creative Team and T-Association (Athletics’ Alumni Network) as well as Texas Engagement Center, UFCU Financial Advisors, and Altius Sport Partners.
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED:
If you are interested in partnering with 4EVER TEXAS to invest in the development of the current student-athletes please complete this form and select from the following options:
- Be a Longhorn Legacy Mentor (year-long commitment; for former student-athletes only)
- Be a mock interviewer (in-person or virtual)
- Be a resume reviewer (in-person or virtual)
- Host a visit to your organization office
- Host a student-athlete to do a job shadow at your organization
- Host a table at the Career and Internship Fair
- Host an informational interview
- Host an educational workshop
- Participate in a networking event
- Serve on an alumni panel
- Share your transition story
- Request a student-athlete appearance
If you have any questions email: 4EVERTEXAS@athletics.utexas.edu
4EVER TEXAS STAFF
Ricky Brown
Title: Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director
Dr. Shauna T. Sobers
Title: Director, Student-Athlete Development
Dr. Latoya Smith
Title: Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director,
Student Services and 4EVER Texas
Aaron Patterson
Title: Assistant Director, Student-Athlete Development
Jahmal Fenner
Title: Director, Player Development for Football
