These former Ohio State student-athletes have decided to turn pro ... in collegiate sports.
Follow along this summer as we highlight our former Buckeye standouts who currently work inside the Ohio State University Department of Athletics.
"You cannot put into words how much it means to welcome our student-athletes back in a full-time service capacity within our department. The experiences they can share with our current student-athletes truly are invaluable." - Gene Smith, Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Director of Athletics
"To be part of something bigger than yourself; its absolutely amazing. We always preach that Ohio State is bigger than yourself and it is always rewarding to see that come to life."
FUN FACT: Cassie manages facility scheduling for the department. In addition to fulfilling the needs of 36 sports teams, she books more than 250 special events and 500-plus tours a year!
As a cheerleader, Cassie helped the Ohio State squad to a Top 5 and a Top 10 finish at the national competition level.
"I never really thought I'd see myself in a position like this. To be able to give back to the programs and student-athletes. We do the best we can to give them the best experience here. It's really cool to be a part of that from the other side."
FUN FACT: Cassie was cheering on the sideline in the 2010 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament, when national player of the year Evan Turner hit the half-court buzzer-beater to defeat TTUN.
"I'll always remember singing Carmen Ohio into the stands after our meets. I think that really brought us together as teammates."
FUN FACT: as assistant director of camps and clinics, Makena helps manage more than 15,000 campers each year on the Ohio State athletics campus.
"Being a student-athlete has really helped me through this role. I have a better understanding of communicating with parents and what the campers are looking for."
Makena was one of the original members of the Bucks Go Pro student-athlete intern program in 2014 and continues to contribute to the initiative in her current role within the department.
Makena competed in the 50, 100 and 200-meter freestyle event in her career as a Buckeye swimmer.
"The standard at Ohio State has changed drastically. I know within our sport, wrestling, and the athletic department as a whole, the expectation is to win and to win the right way."
Fun Fact: In 2015, J helped coach the Buckeyes to their first team NCAA title in program history.
"I had some incredible mentors and people to look up to when I was a student-athlete here at Ohio State that had done it before me. They helped me out along the way."
J was a three-time Academic All-American, two-time Academic All-Big Ten and Ohio State Scholar-Athlete.
J concluded a historic career in 2009 as just the third Buckeye in program history to win a pair of national titles.
"Everything I was taught while here at Ohio State, I was then able to take with me into professional sports and into my role in higher education."
Fun Fact: Raymont spent six years playing professional football after graduating from The Ohio State University with a degree in communication.
"The great thing I love about Ohio State is no matter how big or grand it seems, when you get on campus people treat you like family."
Raymont was named team MVP in 1993. He finished his career with 2,649 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns.
Appointed in 2010 as director of development, Raymont is responsible for major gifts for all athletics priorities, including endowments and capital projects.
"It is so exciting to return to the program I was a part of as a student-athlete and start to give back to the program that gave me so much."
Fun Fact: While at Ohio State earning a degree in human ecology, Beth was named a scholar-athlete. She also was co-captain of the 2004-05 Big Ten Championship team.
"Having those experiences of playing in the NCAA tournament and making it to the Sweet 16, I feel like I learned valuable lessons and advice I can give to our student athletes."
Prior to rejoining women's basketball, Beth was a member of the athletics ticket sales staff from 2009-13, where she helped increase the women's basketball group ticket sales by more than 60 percent.
"It's bigger than basketball. These experiences will last you forever."