Scarlet Knights For Life Focuses On Career Readiness

After completing her sophomore season with the Rutgers women’s basketball team, Antonia Bates was offered the opportunity of a lifetime when she was asked to represent her school and take part in the second annual CBS Sports Diverse Ambassador program at the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The program offers male and female student-athletes from each of the 14 Big Ten institutions a comprehensive and experiential journey for black, indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) to gain exposure to the inner workings of careers in sports journalism, media and broadcasting.

From March 14-17, Bates and her 13 comrades had the chance to interface and network with virtually everyone and anyone of influence connected with CBS’s coverage of the 2024 Big Ten Men’s Tournament in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“We are excited to help connect Rutgers student-athletes with off-campus opportunities to explore their interests and build their skills,” said Carey Loch, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development and Success. “Participation in the Big Ten CBS Sports Ambassador Program was made possible in part due to the generous support from donors to the Scarlet Knights For Life program. We work hard to prepare the student-athletes in advance to ensure they arrive ready to network and can make the most of the experience. I have no doubt Antonia left her mark in Minneapolis.”

Bates’ journey to Big Ten Championship weekend began with a conversation between Kate Hickey, Deputy Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator, and Director for Student-Athlete Development and Success, Elyse Washington. As a Journalism and Media Studies major who handles herself with integrity both on and off the court, Hickey suggested to Washington that she thought Bates would be a perfect candidate for the program. 

“Elyse (Washington) contacted me one day, asking if I’d be interested.” said Bates. “After she explained everything in detail, I was like ‘yeah, that sounds like fun.’”

Washington was no stranger to Bates as she works closely with women’s basketball team throughout the year.

“We’re always doing different activities that she (Elyse) sets up for us, like community service such as reading to elementary schools,” Bates said. “She leads meetings with us, teaching us life after basketball. One time she had a bunch of professionals come in and speak with us about life after basketball, teaching us how to network ourselves and network our own personal brand. She works on our resumes, so the Scarlet Knights for Life program is very helpful for us.”

Sending Bates off to Minneapolis was much more than, ‘here’s your flight, don’t be late.’ By the time the Easton, Pennsylvania native was settled into her seat on the flight, she was more than ready for the weekend ahead. Through the Scarlet Knights For Life office, student-athletes are exposed to all facets of professional development, including resume workshops, tips on conducting interviews, how to expand your professional network and choosing the appropriate business attire. The staff is steadfast in helping the Scarlet Knights learn to plan and prepare for their postgraduate journeys.

“Elyse told me what to wear, she provided all of the details about my flight and accommodations,” said Bates. “She prepped me for the whole thing and honestly really made it easy for me. We printed out business cards, resumes. She set up the Ubers on both ends. So, I was really well prepared for the trip.”

Following a good night’s sleep in the hotel, the 14 Big Ten ambassadors met in the lobby for breakfast and were on the go from that point forward.

“Our first meeting was with a lot of people from CBS and the Big Ten. We met with the CBS producers and executive producers. We got to meet with the head of the diversity, equity, inclusion for CBS,” Bates said. “They basically introduced us to the program. After that, we headed over to the Big Ten Tournament games that day.

“At the arena, we went into the TV trucks, met a bunch of people in there. After that, we went on a tour of the Minnesota Lynx (WNBA) and the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) practice facilities,” she added. “Then we went back to the games and met a lot of people,” she added. “I got to meet all of the announcers - Grant Hill, Tracy Wolfson, Ian Eagle and Bill Raftery. I got to work with the talent as we were given the choice of what area we could work with.”

For Bates, the day of the semifinals on Saturday was her best day yet.

“That was so much fun. I had the opportunity to shadow Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter) and I was able to be behind the camera while she interviewed the coaches during the game,” she said. “Me and another girl got to shadow her when she was going back and forth between the coaches, and we took notes. That was really cool for me since I’m thinking of one day being an on-air broadcaster. Then on Sunday, we had the chance to meet Jessica Poole, Chief Operating Officer, President of the Minnesota Aurora FC soccer team. She’s a black woman in a high profession. So we got to speak with her and learn about her background.”

A 6-foot-3 guard/forward, Bates has played a key role on the floor in her two seasons at RU. She had the third-most blocks in the Big Ten this season with 46 (1.5 per game). She also emerged as one of the team’s top playmaker on offense, ranking 14th in the Big Ten in assists with 95, averaging 3.2 per game.

After starring at Notre Dame High School in her native Easton, Pennsylvania, Bates transferred to Rutgers Prep for her senior season, where she played for Rutgers Hall of Famer Mary Coyle-Klinger, who Bates calls a “brilliant” coach. In addition to playing for Klinger, one of “the best” parts of playing for Rutgers Prep was having her grandparents in the stands each game as Bates lived in their Bound Brook home that year.

Bates actually made a verbal pledge to Rutgers following her junior season of high school back when the Hall of Fame head coach C. Vivian Stringer was at the helm. Sticking with the Scarlet Knights through the coaching transition to current head coach Coquese Washington, Bates honored her commitment to RU and bought into the vision of this new staff.

“I came in as a freshman (2022-23) just as Coach came in for her first year,” said Bates. “I’ve gotten to experience her program from the very beginning. Rebuilding, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. Being able to enjoy the time around the people you’re going to be around was a big part for me. I respect what she’s doing for the program. She’s bringing in some great players which is just going to keep us moving in the right direction. So I’m excited for the future and love what I’ve been through so far.”

A recipient of seven NJ Press Association Awards for writing excellence, John Beisser ('86) served as Assistant Director in the Rutgers University Athletic Communications Office from 1991-2006, where he primarily handled sports information/media relations duties for the Scarlet Knight football and men's basketball programs. In this role, he served as managing editor for nine publications that received either National or Regional citations from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). While an undergraduate at RU, Beisser was sports director of WRSU-FM and a sportswriter/columnist for The Daily Targum. From 2007-2019, Beisser served as Assistant Athletic Director/Sports Media Relations at Wagner College, where he was the recipient of the 2019 Met Basketball Writers Association "Good Guy" Award. Beisser resides in Piscataway with his wife Aileen (RC '95,) a four-year Scarlet Knight women's lacrosse letterwinner, and their 14-year old daughter Riley.