Bangtson, McBeth Learn at NCAA Forum

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State basketball player Austin McBeth and football student coach Michael Bangtson looked to the future when they attended the 2012 NCAA Career in Sports Forum June 7-10 at NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind. 

Students must be nominated by their academic advisor and fill out an application in order to be eligible to attend the NCAA Career in Sports Forum. Iowa State student-athlete affairs coordinator Molly Parrott said that it is a very competitive program, but that both McBeth and Bangtson stood out among their peers during the application process.

The forum is held every year to allow student-athletes to pursue and explore careers in collegiate coaching, administration and officiating.

“I actually didn’t realize how big of an honor it was to be invited until I got there and saw who was there,” McBeth said. “While I was listening to the people that were speaking, as well as all the athletes with all their accolades, it was just a great experience to that this was a big deal. I took a lot from the experience.”

Bangtson, who began his time at Iowa State as a member of the football team before making the switch to coaching after two knee surgeries, said that the forum solidified his interest in pursuing a career in coaching.

“They had a really good session on social media and we learned a lot about leadership,” Bangtson said. “I hope to take it back to Iowa State and apply it.”

Parrott said that she believes the experience will give both men an advantage if they decide to further pursue a career in athletics after they graduate.

“Any time we have an opportunity like this for our student-athletes to attend conferences at the NCAA or Big 12 level, we do it,” Parrott said. “It’s a great opportunity to network and learn.”