JACKSONVILLE, AL — Former Jacksonville State University soccer player Louise Featherstone was selected to attend the 2026 NCAA Career in Sports Forum, an all-expenses-paid professional development program designed for student-athletes interested in careers within the sports industry.
The forum, held May 27-30 in Indianapolis, brought together approximately 200 student-athletes from colleges and universities across the country. Featherstone’s selection marks the second consecutive year a Jacksonville State student-athlete has participated in the nationally recognized program.
The NCAA Career in Sports Forum is an annual educational event that provides participants with opportunities to explore careers in athletics and sports-related fields while developing professional skills and industry connections. Over the course of three days, attendees took part in keynote presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and facilitated conversations focused on career preparation and leadership development.
Topics covered during the forum included self-awareness, professional growth, personal branding, networking, career planning, and strategies for navigating the sports job market. Participants also gained insight into athletics administration at the campus, conference, and national levels while connecting with industry professionals and fellow student-athletes.
Featherstone graduated summa cum laude in spring 2026 and earned several academic honors during her collegiate career. She was named a 2024-25 Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll and Medal recipient, earned membership in the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society, and was selected to the 2025 Conference USA All-Academic Team.
On the field, Featherstone appeared in all 18 matches for the Gamecocks during the 2025 season and started the team’s final 11 contests. She finished as Jacksonville State’s second-leading scorer with five goals and led the team with three assists, totaling 13 points for the season.
