Tatum interns at NBA All Star Weekend

For those who have followed Karli Tatum over the past four years as a student-athlete on the Concordia University Wisconsin Women's Track & Field team, they know she has had an impressive career while competing as a thrower. Last week, Tatum got a chance to gain experience, for what she hopes is her next impressive career, as she was able to intern at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Toronto.

Tatum (Milwaukee, Wis.), along with Carrie Riddle and two students from Concordia University Ann Arbor, interned with the National Basketball Retired Players Association from Wednesday through Sunday last week. While in Toronto they helped the organization run several events, including a Legends Brunch, a Saturday Night Watch Party and much more.

"This opportunity came from Professor Joey-Lynn Bialkowski who offered me and another student, along with two from Concordia Ann Arbor the chance to do this," Tatum said. "It was a great experience and I would recommend something like this to future students looking to enhance their resume."

Tatum and the three other students arrived in Toronto on Wednesday and immediately went to work for the NBRPA. Much of their assignments on Wednesday included prepping Swag Bags for the members of the NBRPA, who would be arriving to celebrate one of the league's biggest weekends.

On Thursday, they set up the Banquet Hall, which would feature several events over the next three days, while continuing to help with the registration process for the former professional basketball players. This included welcome packets, handing out credentials and having the players sign various items for gifts and other matters.

Friday started the events, which included a Welcome Reception Dinner. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke at the event, and 11-time NBA Champion Bill Russell was in attendance as well.

"Bill Russell was at the receptions dinner and it was his birthday," said Tatum. "It was pretty cool singing happy birthday to a NBA Legend."

The next big event was Saturday, which was a breakfast where the NBRPA partnered with Athletes in Action, an organization aimed to help sports-minded people think and live biblically at the intersection of sport and Christianity. Dell Curry was honored at the event, which was also attended by his son and 2015 NBA MVP Steph Curry.

Saturday concluded with a Watch Party for those former players who couldn't get tickets to the Slam Dunk Contest. Then on Sunday a Legends Brunch was held, which was one of the highlights for Tatum and featured several former NBA greats.

For Tatum, while the opportunity to see some of the all-time great professional basketball players was a memorable experience, it was even better to boost her resume and gain valuable experience moving forward. The senior is set to graduate in May, and hopes to work in Event Management after graduation.

"While seeing some NBA stars was cool, this was all about enhancing my resume and gaining experience," Tatum explained of the experience. "I'm hoping to get a job in event management and to have this on my resume will help in trying to accomplish that goal."

Student-athletes continue to work hard both on and off the field each and every day for CUW. Karli Tatum is just another example of that, as both a standout in throwing events for the Falcons, and someone who now has the first of what is likely to be many great experiences in the professional world as well.