Softball, Sales, and the Boilermaker Alliance
Emilee Cox’s Purdue legacy runs deep, with both her parents attending the university and her grandmother working on campus. As she puts it, “I was born bleeding black and gold. It was meant to be.” After graduating from Lafayette Jeff High School, Emilee came to Purdue, where she majored in Selling and Sales Management, minored in Psychology, and earned a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Emilee’s dream was to play softball for Purdue, and during her senior year of high school, that dream became a reality. She says the experience shaped not only her college years but also her strong work ethic. “Playing softball at Purdue was one of the greatest honors of my life,” she shared.
After graduating in December 2023, Emilee began her career in corporate sales. However, shortly thereafter, a former teammate, Kiersen George, reached out with a new opportunity to work for the Boilermaker Alliance; the organization serves as the exclusive NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) entity for Purdue Athletics. Kiersen was a teaching assistant for a Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation capstone class – the same capstone course Emilee had taken. The instructors, Greg Finch and Susan Woods, thought Emilee would be a perfect fit for the opportunity and encouraged Kiersen to reach out. Initially skeptical, Emilee was persuaded by her parents to explore this new path, leading her to explore the position.
At the Boilermaker Alliance, Emilee found her niche. In her role, she engages with athletes and nonprofits, organizing events, managing athlete contracts, and fostering meaningful connections within the community. “I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself because that’s what I did as a four-year softball player. This feels like the same fit,” she explained.
Emilee says she uses the entrepreneurial skills she learned from her courses to network and collaborate with local charities, helping athletes form connections. Reflecting on her experience, Emilee shares valuable advice with students, “Don’t weigh too heavily on your specific degree. You are developing essential life skills that will serve you in any field. Follow your heart and find fulfillment in what you do.”
