OSU’s Gross shares Beyond Football

“Only two percent of college athletes make it as professional athletes,” said Kayla Gross, director of Oregon State University’s special program called Beyond Football.  Gross shared the importance of the program for student-athletes with the Rotarians at the Friday, Aug. 12 meeting of Greater Corvallis Rotary.  Gross explained that her role is to help football players realize they must use their degrees to the fullest, she said.

Beyond Football started in 2013 through the generous donation of a donor who wanted to help student athletes achieve their career goals.  Football players participate in community service, attend career Workshops, and participate in internship opportunities.  Gross shared about a football player who majored in health care that evolved into a medical career as an example of how student-athletes succeed.

Gross explained that one of the goals of the program is to expand to student-athletes in all sports.