UNE football coaching intern invited by NFL to women’s forum

Andrea Gosper is one of only 40 women invited to the NFL's forum
Andrea Gosper is one of only 40 women invited to the NFL's forum

Andre Gosper (Health Sciences, ’19), intern with the University of New England football team, has been selected to take part in the National Football League’s Women’s Careers in Football Forum, February 26 to 29, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The gathering helps the National Football League identify qualified women to join its next generation of leaders.  It reflects the league's commitment to diversity and inclusion, and increasing opportunities for women in football.  The forum provides women with information on how to either begin or transition to a career in football.

This is a tremendous opportunity for Gosper as she pursues her dreams of a career in football.

“I didn’t even know this was a thing,” Gosper told the Portland Press Herald. “I never thought, at age 21, I would go to an NFL conference.”

Only 40 women were invited to attend the two-day forum.

Gosper caught the NFL’s attention after interning with the coaching staff during the UNE football team’s inaugural season.

“She’s earned this opportunity,” UNE Coach Mike Lichten explained to the Portland Press Herald. “I think it’s great for the sport, I think it’s great for the NFL. Andrea’s going to make whatever entity she’s involved with better.”

All participants will be attending an Introduction to Player Personnel and Team Operations in the NFL. The session includes department structure, responsibilities, tools to be familiar with and what to expect in an interview. 

Gosper will also participate in one of two break-out sessions: Coaching, led by NFL and college coaches, and Football Administration, which includes discussions on contracts, salary cap, the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), negotiations, and rules and compliance.

“You can’t say no to anything like this. If you get a chance in the NFL, you have to take it because you never know when another chance like this will come,” she said.

Read the article in the Portland Press Herald and the Journal Tribune

Press Herald photographer Greg Rec captured photos of Andrea Gosper inside the Alfond Forum gym
Press Herald photographer Greg Rec captured photos of Andrea Gosper inside the Alfond Forum gym
Andrea Gosper being interviewed by Press Herald sports reporter Mike Lowe
Andrea Gosper being interviewed by Press Herald sports reporter Mike Lowe

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.