Sarah Graves has uniquely intertwined her passion for basketball with an ambitious academic pursuit in sports business. As a guard for the University of Texas women’s basketball team, she has seen a steady progression from a high school athlete to a collegiate player on a full scholarship. However, Graves’ ambitions extend beyond the basketball court. While she aims to help her team achieve greatness this season, she is also focused on shaping her future career in the sports industry.
### Early Life and Basketball Journey
Graves’ basketball journey began in the eighth grade after encouragement from her track coach, leading her to become a standout player at Keller High as an all-district guard and district champion. Walking onto the Texas women’s basketball team in 2022, she quickly showcased her skills, earning a scholarship a year later. Now, as a senior, she is one of the most tenured players on the roster, trailing only fifth-year point guard Rori Harmon.
Graves is not just focusing on her athletic abilities, but also on her academic goals. She is on track to graduate from the McCombs School of Business with a degree in finance, demonstrating her commitment to combining sports with business acumen.
### Business of Sports Institute
One of the significant developments in her career is her involvement with the Business of Sports Institute (BOSI) at the University of Texas, an initiative launched in 2021 under the leadership of Professor Kirk Goldsberry. BOSI aims to revolutionize sports education by uniting students, faculty, and industry leaders to tackle major challenges through data and innovation. As part of the inaugural advisory board, Graves plays a crucial role in shaping the future of sports management education.
Her connection to Goldsberry started early through data analytics work, and her experience at the Business of Sports Summit opened doors to new perspectives in sports business. The summit, which she helped organize, serves as a platform for discussing the future of sports through a combination of education, leadership, and innovation.
### Building a Network
Graves’ involvement with BOSI has connected her with influential figures in the sports industry, including NBA star Kevin Durant and Hall of Famer Chris Bosh. These interactions have allowed Graves to overcome feelings of “imposter syndrome” that many students face when entering elite circles. She emphasizes the importance of confidence and hard work in earning her place on the board, showing that collaborations can provide valuable learning experiences and opportunities for student-athletes in business.
In addition to networking, her work with BOSI has led to a summer internship at RedBird Capital Partners, an investment firm in New York. This experience highlighted the unique challenges faced by student-athletes seeking internships and employment in a competitive arena, especially when juggling the demands of sports and academics.
### Balancing Sports and Business
Graves is balancing her commitments to both basketball and her business pursuits. Although her primary role as a player has primarily been off the court, she is determined to make an impact this season and help her team compete for a national championship. With Texas aiming to improve upon their recent successes, such as their Elite Eight and Final Four appearances, Graves is prepared to rise to the challenge.
Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges that many have suggested coaching as a career path due to her passion for basketball. However, her experiences at BOSI and the exposure to various aspects of sports management have opened her eyes to a broader range of possibilities. She asserts that the sports industry is vast, encompassing roles that extend beyond traditional coaching and playing.
### Future Aspirations
Graves’ ambition to excel on the basketball court is matched by her desire to contribute to the sports business sector. She recognizes that sports is a “big business” and that her education and experiences thus far have equipped her with the skills needed to make key contributions to the industry.
As she prepares for her final season, Graves feels a mixture of excitement and competitiveness. Each game provides an opportunity to challenge herself further and show her growth both as an athlete and a business professional. Looking ahead, she envisions a career that harnesses her passion for sports while leveraging her educational background in finance.
### Conclusion
Sarah Graves is emblematic of the modern student-athlete, demonstrating that it is possible to excel in sports while pursuing meaningful career paths beyond the court. Her participation in the Business of Sports Institute and various networking opportunities has equipped her with the tools to navigate the intersection of sports and business successfully. As she aims for a national championship with her team this season, Graves also lays the groundwork for a promising future in the sports business field. With her dedication, hard work, and adaptive mindset, she is poised to make an impact both on and off the court, redefining what it means to be a student-athlete in today’s competitive landscape.
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