Career and employment
Resume and narrative work, interview preparation, recruiters who understand an athletic resume, executive coaching, and pathways into coaching, media, and front office roles.
What it is
The practical side of the exit, handled by people who have done it before.
Most transition support ends with a PDF of phone numbers. Forward Resources is a vetted provider network, and we make the introduction ourselves. You tell us what you are dealing with, we find the right specialist, and we hand you off to a named person rather than a directory.
It is free to any athlete who asks, at any level, at any stage. Currently competing, three months out, or fifteen years past the last game. Immediate family members are eligible too.
What we cover
Mental health has its own program with its own standard, and the foundation pays for that care directly. Everything below sits inside Forward Resources.
Education and credentials
Degree completion, certificate programs, licensing, and translating what a career in sport actually taught you into something a hiring manager reads.
Housing and relocation
Moving off a team schedule and out of team housing. Rental and purchase guidance, relocation support, and short term options during a transition.
Financial counseling
Budget and cash flow work for an income that changed shape. Education and counseling only. Nobody in this network sells a product to an athlete we introduce them to.
Medical and physical health
Post career rehabilitation, pain management referrals, second opinions, and specialists who understand what a body has already been through.
Legal
Contract review, disputes with representation, estate and family matters, and counsel who has sat across the table from an agency before.
Some services are covered by the foundation and others are offered at reduced or no cost by network providers. We tell you which applies before we make an introduction, so nothing arrives as a surprise.
How it works
You ask once. We do the finding.
01
Tell us what you need
A short form or an email. You do not need to have it figured out, and "I do not know where to start" is a valid answer.
02
Intake conversation
A brief call so the match is right the first time. If what you actually need is the mental health program, we will say so and route you there.
03
We make the introduction
A named provider from the network, with the cost arrangement stated up front, and an introduction we send ourselves.
04
We follow up
One check back to confirm it is working. If the fit is wrong, we rematch. You can come back for a different category at any time.
The standard
How a provider gets into this network.
- Current license or credential in good standing where required
- Documented experience working with athletes or people in career transition
- Written agreement to our no solicitation policy
- No commercial relationship with agents, financial firms, or recruiters that would create a conflict
- Transparent pricing disclosed to us in advance
- Re-verified on a set schedule, not vetted once and forgotten
Request access
Tell us what you are working through.
This goes to one person at the foundation. It is not shared with your team, your school, or your representation.
Or email resources@48andforward.org. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 in the US for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24 hours a day.
Keep the network free.
Vetting providers, running intake, and covering costs takes funding. Athletes never see a bill because somebody else pays it.