Edyoucore Founder Drew Hawkins Keynotes Event for Future Sports Management Leaders

Edyoucore Founder and CEO Drew Hawkins recently served as keynote speaker at a CMU-SMAC event focused on preparing the next generation of sports management professionals.

The conference brought together students pursuing careers in the sports industry to explore leadership, athlete advocacy and the evolving business of sports. Hawkins’ keynote focused on an increasingly critical topic in today’s sports landscape: financial literacy and long-term financial wellness for athletes.

As the sports industry evolves — particularly with the growth of NIL opportunities, complex contract structures and expanding brand partnerships — sports management professionals are playing a larger role in helping athletes make informed financial decisions that impact their long-term futures.

During his keynote, Hawkins discussed the importance of balancing major career opportunities with responsible financial planning. While negotiating strong deals and sponsorship opportunities remains essential, he emphasized that the most successful sports professionals understand that protecting an athlete’s long-term financial wellness is equally important.

“Financial education is a critical part of supporting athletes,” Hawkins shared during the event. “The people guiding athletes, agents, managers and executives must understand how financial literacy impacts career sustainability and life after sports.”

One of the most impressive aspects of the conference was the leadership demonstrated by the students who organized and executed the entire event. Their professionalism, curiosity and commitment to learning reflected the strong future ahead for the sports management industry.

At Edyoucore, preparing athletes for financial success means educating not only athletes themselves but also the professionals who support them throughout their careers. When sports leaders understand financial literacy, NIL strategy and long-term wealth planning, they help create stronger, more sustainable careers for the athletes they represent.

Events like this reaffirm Edyoucore’s mission to expand financial education across the sports ecosystem — from athletes and entertainers to the next generation of sports industry leaders.

Edyoucore regularly partners with universities, conferences and organizations to deliver conversations on:

• Athlete financial literacy
• NIL preparedness and financial strategy
• Career sustainability in professional sports
• Long-term financial wellness for athletes and entertainers

Organizations interested in bringing these conversations to their students, teams or audiences are encouraged to connect with Edyoucore.

Learn more about Edyoucore’s financial education programs for athletes, entertainers and sports professionals by contacting us here.