On March 23, SIUE Athletics hosted its 3rd Annual Cougars Career Networking Night, presented by Northwestern Mutual Fairview Heights-Clayton, inside First Community Arena. The event brought together more than 100 student-athletes and 40 business professionals, creating meaningful connections between SIUE student-athletes and the companies and alumni who support their experience.

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"We are incredibly thankful for the buy-in from our student-athletes, business professionals, and Chris Lowery and Steve Gross with Northwestern Mutual Fairview Heights-Clayton," said Jake Sutter, Associate Director of Athletics. "This event is such an important opportunity for our student-athletes as they navigate their time at SIUE and begin preparing for what comes next. Being able to connect them with professionals who actively support their experience—and can provide career opportunities, mentorship, and guidance—is invaluable as we help develop future leaders."

This year's event featured three roundtable sessions along with two panels, including an alumni panel and a business leadership panel.

The alumni panel, moderated by Assistant Director of Athletics Ashley Simpson, included:

· Raven (Berry) Zackery '13 '17 (Women's Basketball) – Registered Nurse, SSM Health St. Mary's

· Callaghan (Adams) Stamer '21 (Women's Tennis) – Product Owner I, Steely Companies

· Jason Hackett '20 (Men's Soccer) – Associate Attorney, Cantor Injury Law

· Savannah (Sullivan) Bockenstedt '23 (Women's Track & Field) – Marketing Coordinator, Energizer Holdings

The business panel featured:

· Greg Coleman – Financial Advisor & Growth and Development Director, Northwestern Mutual Fairview Heights-Clayton

· Sam Fink – Partner, Holmes & Fink Insurance Advisors

· Emily Gates – Owner, Opal Lane

· Brooke Sutter – Clinical Associate & Physical Therapist, Washington University in St. Louis

· Mark Thomas – Owner, Courthouse 618 and Attorney, Holland Law

In total, 19 organizations participated in the event, representing a wide range of industries and career opportunities for SIUE student-athletes.

Companies in attendance included Ameren Illinois, Cantor Injury Law, Courthouse 618, Holland Law, Edwardsville Police Department, RG Real Estate, Edwardsville YMCA, Energizer Holdings, Hawthorne Animal Hospital, Holmes & Fink Insurance Advisors, J.R. Electric, Utilitra, Keeley Companies, PepsiCo, Prairie Farms, SIUE, SSM Health St. Mary's, USEC Inc., and Washington University in St. Louis.

SIUE Athletics continues to prioritize career development programming that prepares student-athletes for success beyond competition by connecting them with industry leaders and alumni.

For more information on participating in future events or partnering with SIUE Athletics, contact Jake Sutter at jaksutt@siue.edu.