Nov. 19, 2013

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TWITTER: @Rebel_Ready

OXFORD, Miss. – Recently Ole Miss student-athletes participated in the “Backpacks to Briefcases” etiquette/networking dinner. The program is designed to help student-athletes make the transition from student-athlete to the “real world”.

The program is an interactive dinner designed to provide student-athletes with valuable life skills that will prepare them for life now and after their athletic careers. The dinner offers dining etiquette training while on a job interview or in any other professional setting. Additionally,  student-athletes learned how to dialogue and network with companies, alumni members, and other business professionals.

Ben Lapane, track and field student-athlete and SAAC President, shared his thoughts on the etiquette dinner.

"My experience was a combination of education and fun,” said Lapane. “It was educational in the sense that I was being informed on how to conduct myself in a professional setting, yet fun because I was learning with my fellow student-athletes"

Toni Avant, Career Center Director, served as the facilitator for the event. Local business leaders served as table mentors, offering career advice and sharing life lessons regarding pursuing successful careers.

Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations, Dr. Jamil Northcutt, shared closing remarks. Northcutt encouraged student-athletes to continue developing relationships with their peers and others that will benefit them after their playing careers end. He also stressed the importance of networking and how Ole Miss will benefit them well beyond their collegiate careers.

"The etiquette dinner is an annual program that we have offered to our student-athletes for a number of years,” said Northcutt. “However, each year the learning experience continues to get better for our student-athletes. We believe programs such as this connect our student-athletes with business professionals and teach them essential skills to be successful now and in the future."

The mission of Ole Miss’ Rebel Ready Program is to challenge the student-athletes to be lifelong learners while pursuing continuous improvement academically, relationally, socially, personally, and professionally during and beyond their careers as student-athletes.

Rebel Ready is the hub for a wide range of Ole Miss Athletics sponsored programs designed to meet the needs of student-athletes and their families. It is divided into six areas: Student-Athlete Assistance Services, Career Development, Continuing Education, Community Outreach, Financial Education and Career Transition.

 Visit Rebel Ready for more information on Ole Miss’ Rebel Ready program.