Allen announces guests for third annual "The Hive", a professional development series for student-athletes

COURTESY OF ALLEN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

COLUMBIA, S.C.?—?Allen University Athletics?and Director of Athletics?Jasher Cox?are excited to announce the featured speakers in the third annual?"The Hive", a professional development series for Allen's student-athletes. Set to serve more than 400 student-athletes across Allen's 12 varsity programs, "The Hive" will offer a live presentation and Q&A session with each of the special guests.

"I'm excited to announce the return of 'The Hive' for its third year. Our commitment to virtually supporting our student-athletes throughout the summer underscores our dedication to fulfilling every promise we make beyond the realm of competition," said Cox. "This initiate ensures that we are equipping and preparing them for life after college."

The four-part virtual series will begin May 22 by welcoming LaJoia Broughton, Founder and President of Alpha Strategies. With over 20 years of experience in the private and public sectors,?Broughton develops customized and integrated legislative and public affairs programs for a diverse portfolio of clients, ranging from nonprofits to corporations. Broughton also serves as a Richland-Lexington Airport Commissioner at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), where she advises and provides feedback on company initiatives focused on the customer travel experience and community interests of the airport. Prior to launching Alpha Strategies, she?served as the Executive Director for the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus where she managed the agenda and strategic direction of the Caucus. No stranger to the Palmetto State, Broughton holds a Master of Mass Communications degree from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Furman University.

Then on May 29, Allen is hosts Kansas City Chiefs'?Assistant Coach Terry Bradden. A?three-time Super Bowl Champion, Bradden has spent the past eight seasons with Kansas City, including the last four as the assistant defensive line coach. Bradden spent the previous three seasons as the defensive quality control coach (2018-20), after spending?one season as a defensive assistant (2017), while winning the Super Bowl in 2020, 2023, and 2024. A graduate of Tuskegee University, Bradden?began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Bethune-Cookman University in 2016.

Part three of this year's series expands into the entertainment industry on June 5 as student-athletes will hear from entertainment professional-turned-journalist and educator,?Naima Cochrane. A South Carolina native,?Cochrane has?spent more than 20 years as a music industry professional with?record labels and artist management. Today, she combines her knowledge of marketing and the music business with?her skills?of?in-depth research, strategizing?and?journalism,?as a Professor at The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Cochrane?is also a?founding board member of the Black Music Action Coalition,?where she spearheads the advocacy organization's research and reports.

On June 18, the final featured guest in "The Hive" will be sports management and career consultant, Spry Players Group LLC's?Dr. Allison Waymyers. At the age of seventeen, Dr. Waymyers?began her athletic career as a football assistant at the University of South Carolina in 2001. Her responsibilities including meeting with Head Coach Lou Holtz to present concepts to enhance the recruiting experience for student-athetes and their families,?allocating autographed items for community services purposes, spending time with position coaches and?academic staff, and as a recruiting hostess. Dr. Waymyers recruiting multiple?top-five rated?high school prospects nationally, and her efforts earned her the Gamecocks' Recruiter of the Year award as the team?was?ranked inside the?top-10 by ESPN. She has also held positions with?the Carolina Panthers,?Charlotte Bobcats,?and Augusta National Golf Club during the week of "The Masters" tournament. Later, in 2016, Dr. Waymyers?made history as the first female hired in a leadership role with the Clemson University football team when she became the Director of Career and Professional Development. During her time with Clemson, she?created the first micro-internship opportunity, partnering with Adobe in her first year, along with?professional development programs including social media training, LinkedIn tutorials, mock interviews, and the first Hire a Tiger career fair.?She was also a member of Clemson's 2016 College Football National Championship staff.?Now, Dr. Waymyers has launched?her own sports management and career consulting firm, assisting athletes in transition, and young professionals alike at Spry Players Group, LLC. Additionally, she is currently serving at her alma mater, the University of South Carolina,?as the inaugural Director of Graduate Career Education at the Moore School of Business where she leads the Masters of International Business students.

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