Tigers Show Out For Build Your Board

Speakers from left to right: LeighAnn Westfall, Julio Melara, Dr. DF Arnold, Anthony Ranaudo & Dr. Melissa Weinsz

LSU student-athletes packed the PMAC Monday night, for the university’s first “Build Your Board” event presented by the National L-Club, NILSU, and Tiger Life.

“Build Your Board” provided student-athletes with an opportunity to practice their networking skills, while donning business casual dress and enjoying a sit-down dinner. Student-athletes were paired with professionals from career fields related to their individual interests. The Tigers were given the chance to network with the mentors at their table, along with other student-athletes interested in similar fields.

LeighAnn Westfall is the Executive Director of the National L-Club

The event was hosted by three organizations within LSU Athletics. This collaboration brought together: the National L-Club who serves as the alumni association for the student-athletes LSU Athletics’ alumni association, Tiger Life who runs LSU’s student-athlete professional development program, and NILSU, the department spearheading Name, Image and Likeness education for LSU Athletics.

Following lively dinner conversations, Executive Director of the National L-Club, Leighann Westfall, hosted a Q&A panel offering the timely advice of four professionals: LSU Football Director of Player Development Dr. DF Arnold, Director of Tiger Life Dr. Melissa Weinsz, author and entrepreneur Julio Melara, and former LSU and MLB pitcher Anthony Ranaudo.

Melara was the one to address the question that every prospective employee hates: “Tell me about yourself.”

“Clarify if are they are interested in your personal side or your business side,” Melara advised. “Athletes have a competitive advantage, and you can use your story of sports as a conversation piece.”

Melara recalled that countless student-athletes have told him they feel they are at a disadvantage in the marketplace because they have no work experience besides being a student-athlete. Melara quickly dismisses these comments, and reiterates how being a student-athlete encompasses nearly all of the skills employers are looking for in employees.

“Communication, teamwork, competitiveness, resilience, determination,” added Dr. Weinsz. “Employers are looking for these things, and athletes add these character traits to their resumes.”

Dr. Arnold added to Melara and Dr. Weinsz’s point, further emphasizing that the skills one develops as a student-athlete make them marketable in so many businesses, without them ever recognizing it.

“Don’t limit yourself by fear,” Dr. Arnold warned. “Don’t be afraid to fall down and get back up. You need to take a chance and network.”

Networking was the theme of the night, and Ranaudo noted that he wishes he had the perspective and opportunity that student-athletes have now when it comes to building their network.

“Your net worth is equal to your network,” Ranaudo said. “It doesn’t happen often when you can be in a room with people who are interested in businesses that you are interested in. If I could speak to my 20-year-old self, I would encourage myself to spend time with my fans because they are a network of supporters we often don’t think about.”

Ranaudo, having seen the impact of a network at the collegiate and professional level of sports, further advised the Tigers to embrace what Name, Image and Likeness can do for their personal brand.

“NIL can develop athletes’ skill sets at an earlier age,” Ranaudo said. “You have the ability to learn earlier than others from when I was in school. Take advantage of your present moment. Time goes fast, and this is a special time in your life. Erase your fear of failure. Try different things. Employers will appreciate your willingness to try and fail, then to not try at all.”

While “Build Your Board” encouraged student-athletes to confidently break barriers and put themselves out there in the work force, the mentors ensured that student-athletes remind themselves to remain grounded in who they are, and never lose sight of what they need to do to achieve their goals.

“Don’t let work consume you and set boundaries for yourself,” Dr. Arnold said. You are more than an athlete. Events like this are the extra, and it will benefit you.”