GORHAM, Maine  –  Returning for its eighth edition, Husky Pack Chats' Mocktail & Networking Event, co-sponsored by the Huskies' Department of Athletics and the University of Southern Maine's Career and Employment Hub, will be hosted on Friday, September 25 (4:00 pm – 5:15 pm) as part of the University's 2026 Homecoming & Family Weekend.
 
A professional development event, the Mocktail Hour & Networking Pack Chat provides a chance for Southern Maine student-athletes and the general student body at all stages of their academic journey with an opportunity to work on a critical component of the job hunt, while building a connection with the USM Career and Employment Hub. 
 
Tying in with the festive atmosphere of the weekend, the Mocktail Hour and Networking Event format gives student-athletes the chance to put into practice networking concepts and take advantage of the opportunity to engage with a variety of University alumni and business professionals.
 
With a blend of student-athlete alumni and visiting employers from a variety of professions and industries, students and student-athletes in attendance will be able to enjoy festive mocktails and light refreshments while practicing their networking skills and engaging with potential employers. 
 
Prior to the networking portion of the event, student-athlete leaders from the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, junior Mia Coots (softball) and sophomore Izzy Morrelli (women's basketball), will give a brief overview of the importance of networking, and utilizing the USM Career and Employment Hub, while members of the USM Career Hub will share tips, tricks and providing closing remarks.
 
Coots is the 2026-2027 University of Southern Maine Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President, and is entering her third season as a member of the Huskies' softball team. A Public Health major, and a 2026 College Sports Academic All-District selection, Coots is a two-time All-State pitcher and team captain for USM softball.  She is also an Athletic Communications intern, assisting with social media content creation and broadcasting.
 
A sophomore member of the Huskies' women's basketball team, Morelli is a Political Science major, and is serving as the 2026-2027 SAAC Vice President.  Earning MWBCA All-Rookie Team honors as a freshman, Morelli was a key member of the Huskies' 2026 Little East Conference Championship, and established a majority of her career-highs during Southern Maine's NCAA Sweet 16 run, including a career-best 11 points in a 67-59 win over Bowdoin College.
 
"This is a tremendous opportunity for our current student-athletes to learn from their peers, our university and student-athlete alumni, and to ask questions about starting their career search from individuals who have had similar experiences while embarking on the beginning stages of their own career paths," said Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator Kimberly Turner.
 
USM's Career & Employment Hub is a resource to multiple audiences, serving University of Southern Maine students, business and community partners, and faculty and staff.  Assisting students in connecting to their future through career exploration, self-assessments, interviewing skills, internship searches and more, the Career & Employment Hub also connects community partners to USM's greatest resource – its students and faculty – to help develop workforce connections, fill service-learning experiences, internship, and volunteering opportunities as well as traditional employment. Located on the Portland Campus on the second floor of the newly opened McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success (Room 2010). Interested parties can learn more about all the activities, workshops and one-on-one guidance opportunities at https://usm.maine.edu/career-and-employment-hub
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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