Spark Hosts College Baseball Alumni for Career Conversation

Oklahoma City, OK — The Oklahoma City Spark welcomed a special group of visitors to practice last week as several alumni from Columbia University’s baseball program joined the team for an afternoon of fun, conversation, and meaningful connection.

The day began with a roundtable discussion about life after athletics. The Columbia grads, now working in industries like finance, law, sports management, education, commercial real estate, and TV production, shared how their time as athletes prepared them for success. One resounding message stood out: women who play sports are in high demand in the professional world. The alumni emphasized how the traits developed through athletics - discipline, leadership, time management, and resilience - are exactly what top companies are looking for. They highlighted how female athletes often outperform their peers in the workplace, and encouraged the Spark athletes to lean into those strengths as they build their careers.

The conversation also touched on the growth of women’s sports, with a shared enthusiasm for where professional softball is headed and how opportunities for female athletes continue to expand. Spark players asked questions, shared their own visions, and left the conversation feeling empowered, inspired, and better connected to life beyond the field.

“What started as a fun idea for a pre-season practice turned into a really meaningful experience,” said General Manager Destinee McElroy. “It was powerful to hear how much these former athletes value the skills we’ve developed through softball and how they’ve used their own athletic backgrounds to succeed.”

After the conversation, everyone hit the field for a lighthearted batting practice session. There were plenty of laughs as the former baseball players got a feel for the softball game - and gained even more respect for the skill it takes. It was a day of shared experiences, meaningful conversation, and mutual appreciation. Both the Spark and the Columbia alumni walked away energized, inspired, and grateful for the connections made.

Opening Day for the 2025 Spark season is Sunday, June 15, 2025. Tickets are on sale now at okcspark.com/tickets

#BeTheSpark