Illinois' Tadeas Placek Builds Confidence, Connections at NCAA Career in Sports Forum
June 5, 2026 | Men's Track & Field, Academic Services
NEWS
Illinois men's track & field graduate student-athlete Tadeas Placek attended the NCAA Career in Sports Forum, held May 27-30 in Indianapolis. The annual NCAA program brings together select student-athletes from across the country to explore careers in sport through workshops, networking opportunities, and career readiness programming.
For Placek, the experience was defined by three words: community, self-awareness, and inspiration.
"Throughout the NCAA Career in Sports Forum, I was surrounded by nearly 200 like-minded student-athletes from all three NCAA divisions and from all across the country," Placek said. "There was a genuine sense of community that made people feel comfortable being vulnerable, sharing their personal stories, challenges, and aspirations."
As an international student-athlete, the opportunity to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds was especially meaningful.
"The friendships and professional connections I made during the Forum are relationships I believe will last a lifetime," he said.
Finding Clarity Through Reflection
As he continues to navigate his professional journey beyond athletics, Placek viewed the Forum as an opportunity to better understand his strengths, values, and future career aspirations.
"These experiences helped me develop greater self-awareness, confidence, and clarity about both my personal and professional futures," Placek said.
One of the most impactful moments came during a session led by sports executive Samantha Card, whose message centered on embracing failure, taking action, and trusting the process.
"Her message came at a particularly meaningful time in my life," Placek said. "As a graduate student who is actively exploring future career paths and thinking about the next chapter after athletics, I needed to hear that it is OK to not have everything figured out.
"Progress comes from action, not perfection. Confidence is built through experience rather than waiting until you feel completely ready."
Building Confidence and Connections
One of Placek's biggest takeaways from the Forum was the importance of authentic relationships and meaningful connections.
"The Forum expanded my understanding of careers in the sport industry by helping me look beyond job titles and better understand the people behind those roles," Placek said.
Interacting with student-athletes from across the country challenged him to step outside of his comfort zone and strengthened his confidence in unfamiliar environments.
"When I stopped focusing on whether I belonged and instead focused on being present, listening, and contributing, I was able to build meaningful relationships and participate confidently in discussions," he said.
Placek credits opportunities through Illinois Athletics – including SAAC, International Illini, community outreach initiatives, and leadership development programming – for helping prepare him to maximize the experience.
Creating Transformational Experiences
While Placek represented Illinois as a participant, Illinois Athletics was also represented by assistant director of student-athlete development Solomon Siskind, who served as a color team facilitator during the Forum.
Throughout the week, Siskind worked alongside athletics professionals from across the country to guide learners through conversations and activities focused on career exploration and life beyond sport.
"Every opportunity I have with NCAA Leadership Development leaves me feeling transformed from the inside out, and the Career in Sports Forum was no different," Siskind said. "Creating spaces for learning, growth, connection, and possibility is work that continually brings me both joy and purpose.
"The student-athletes showed up, leaned into the journey, and reminded all of us that the future of sport is in great hands."
Bringing the Experience Back to Illinois
Looking ahead, Placek plans to carry the Forum's lessons into both his personal and professional lives.
"The Forum helped me recognize that having a positive impact on others is one of my core values and something that brings me genuine fulfillment."
As Placek returns to campus, he brings with him new connections, fresh perspectives, and a greater sense of confidence in the opportunities that await beyond athletics.
