Name? Na’Kylan Starks
Where are you from? Coweta, OK
What degree/certificate are you getting? Sports Management (AAS)
What interests you about your chosen field? With a focus on the financial, management, and organizational aspects of athletics rather than performance itself, an AAS in Sports Management prepares you to understand how the sports business functions behind the scenes. It gives you hands-on experience in how teams, games, and sporting events are truly done by combining real-world, career-ready training in areas like event planning, facility operations, ticket sales, marketing, and sponsorships. Through projects and internships, the degree places a strong emphasis on real-world use, frequently putting students in touch with athletic departments, community centers, or minor league groups where experience and networking are just as important as academic knowledge. Also, you learn about sports marketing, fan interaction, and the increasing importance of data and analytics in decision-making, which reflects how branding and commercial strategy play a major role in contemporary sports.
What is one thing you will never forget about your time at UA Northark? I will always remember the connections and friendships I made while attending UA Northark. The experience was made special by the instructors, administrators, and teammates.
What challenges have you faced before or during your college career? Learning how to balance my time between school and basketball was one of the most difficult things I had to do throughout my time in college. At first, managing practices, sports, travel, and schoolwork without feeling stressed out was challenging. I had to quickly learn how to put first tasks, keep routine, and maximize the little time I had each day. Over time, it improved my ability to plan and maintain consistency in both academics and athletics. It also helped me develop discipline and accountability.
What are you most proud of accomplishing? What I’m most proud of is not giving up on myself. I’ve been through a lot of challenges, but I kept showing up even when things were difficult. Just having the ability to stay consistent, push forward, and remain true to who I am is what I value most about my journey.
How have you changed since your first day of college? I wouldn't say my identity has changed much since my first day of college, but I certainly have grown more adaptable. I'm a bit more secure in my ability to manage difficulties, more composed under pressure, and more aware of my own self-control and priorities. My identity wasn't changed by college rather, it has been strengthened, making me more grounded in who I already am and more confident.
What is one thing you wish you knew before starting college? One thing I wish I knew before starting college is that not everyone is interested in sports. I had to learn that pretty quickly and adjust how I connect with people. It pushed me to step outside of what I was used to and learn how to have conversations about different topics, build common ground in other ways, and get to know people for who they are beyond athletics.
What is next after graduation? After graduation, I plan to continue both my academic and athletic career at Dakota State University. It’s the next step for me to keep building on what I’ve started, stay committed to my education, and keep growing as an athlete while competing at the next level.
What advice would you give to incoming students? My advice to incoming students is to always be yourself and stay true to who you are. Don’t try to change to fit in, and don’t judge people based on appearance, because you never really know someone’s story. College is a place where you grow not just academically, but personally, and the relationships you build matter just as much as the classes you take.