By Reilly Cahill

Sports and society have undergone profound changes in the world over the last decade. Sports gambling has become legalized in numerous states, NIL has transformed college athletics and more athletes have used their platform to speak out on topics in the real world.

On Sunday, the Ohio State Sports and Society Initiative reflected on its 10-year evolution at an anniversary event held at WOSU.

From 2015 to 2025, SSI has had 81 interns, 650 all-time student club members, 134 current student club members, 22 research projects funded, 5 student clubs mentored, hosted 27 major events, held 29 career-focused huddles,19 research talks and 28 engaged faculty.

Nicole Kraft, SSI director, credited that support for SSI’s growth. 

“I don’t know of any place else that has been able to do what this initiative has been able to do because of the resources that we have here at Ohio State and the kind of donations that people have provided,” Kraft said. 

Keandre Jones, a former football player with Ohio State and Maryland who played for five years in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Commanders, was the keynote speaker of the event.

Jones’ desire to make an impact in the community outside of sports inspired him to start his own nonprofit in Cincinnati, Everyday "A" Episode. The organization helps kids focus on wellness and learn valuable life skills. 

“With Everyday Episode, I’m giving these kids a chance to figure out their skill set, figure out what they’re interested in, whether it’s finances, whether it’s physical training, whether it’s whatever that their mind can imagine,” Jones said. “I’m letting them know it is obtainable. You don’t only have to aspire to be an athlete or entertainer.”

During the event, members of the SSI governing board analyzed the three pillars of SSI: research, career readiness and programming, and how opportunities in each area have evolved.

Dr. Christopher Knoester, SSI research director, provided an example of a discussion with former Arts and Sciences divisional dean Jan Box-Steffensmeier, who came up with the idea for SSI. 

“We’re known for our sports excellence; we should be No. 1 in sports research,” Knoester said. “I’m proud to say, 10 years in, we’ve essentially reached that goal.”

Dr. Aaron Klein, senior liaison for corporate business development at Fisher College of Business, described how students’ opportunities in the career readiness program have expanded.

“What started as taking students to a [Columbus] Blue Jackets game where they could sit in a press box and sort of shadow different staff members and then sit in on the post-game press conference has now turned into really a portfolio of opportunities that we’re able to offer our students,” Klein said.

The opportunities in the upcoming year include the chance to work at the Women’s Final Four in Arizona, the Indianapolis 500, the U.S. Open, the Gasparillo Bowl and more. 

Kraft provided examples of the sports professionals SSI has connected students with over the years.

• They included:
  Hosting events on topics including mental health and women in sports
• Hosting Kirk Herbstreit and Clark Kellogg over Zoom during COVID
• Hosting a World Cup preview with a panel of FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks, U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino, FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas and FOX Sports host Jenny Taft 

SSI has given students the opportunity to hear from some of the biggest names in the sports industry over the last 10 years.  

The event then turned to the voices of current and former students about how their experiences with SSI impacted them and their careers. 

Naveen Elliot, a 2025 Ohio State graduate and former SSI intern, voiced his appreciation for the opportunities that SSI provided him during his time at Ohio State.

Kacie Back, fourth-year in strategic communication and SSI social media intern, said SSI led her to build connections and gain a better understanding of what she wants to do in her future career. 

“Words can’t describe how much this has helped me,” Back said. “I’m graduating this year and without this internship, I think I would probably be a little bit more lost than I am.”

Daphne Chi, fourth-year in finance and sports industry, and the president of the largest member SSI student club in its history, described the two main pieces of advice she gives to club members: to say yes to opportunities and to get involved. 

As the event came to a close, Kraft reflected on what the future of SSI holds.

“The next 10 years will take us to places that we haven’t even imagined,” Kraft said.