When it comes to building a career—especially in the competitive world of sports business—there's nothing like the power of networking.

Fifty-five members of the Warsaw Sports Business Club (WSBC) had a chance to stretch their networking muscles this past February when the club took them to the Moda Center in Portland for the annual sports and entertainment career fair hosted by the Portland Trail Blazers.

The event kicked off with a four-person panel that included WSBC advisor Whitney Wagoner and a former club member, adidas Senior Recruiter Kylie Penn "99. Panelists shared thoughts on professionalism and suggested ways to make lasting and favorable impressions on potential employers.

Primed with new insights, the students headed off to the career fair floor to connect with representatives from the Portland Trail Blazers, National Basketball Association, Portland Timbers, adidas, Seattle Storm, Sacramento Kings, Hillsboro Hops, and Seattle Mariners, among other organizations.

Coming face-to-face with potential employers can help students tailor their studies and extracurricular activities to become attractive candidates for their dream jobs.

“It's a great opportunity for our students—particularly young students—to meet employers in the sports business industry and understand what those companies are looking for in terms of future employees," said Whitney Wagoner.

The club is open to all UO students and recently admitted its three-hundredth member. Many former participants are quick to credit the club with helping jumpstart their careers.

“The Warsaw Sports Business Club is the reason I'm working for the Trail Blazers," said Greg Bauman "07, group sales account manager for the Portland team.