Thousands of young men and women participate in intercollegiate sports each year in the United States. For many of them, sport is a passion. But what happens after college?

Does the passion for sport fade as the vast majority of student-athletes who do not advance to the professional level transition from the playing fields to the world of work, or are there other avenues for them to foster that enthusiasm?

The NCAA is saying "yes" to the latter with a new video that will be released later this fall. The video, called "Whoever Thought a Passion Could Turn into a Career?" is an educational tool designed to address the career opportunities available in intercollegiate athletics and is targeted at minorities and women.

The video is the brainchild of the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee (MOIC). Troubled by the lack of minorities and women pursuing careers in athletics administration, the committee decided that steps should be taken to show these particular groups of student-athletes -- and all student-athletes, for that matter -- that their love affair with sports does not have to end after graduation.

"We don't see enough role models in upper-level administrative positions in intercollegiate athletics," said Charles Whitcomb, faculty athletics representative at San Jose State university and chair of the MOIC. "We're saying, yes, there are opportunities."

The video showcases a variety of careers in athletics from which student-athletes can choose. In addition, the video raises awareness of professional-development programs the NCAA offers, such as postgraduate scholarships and internships.

Minorities and women who hold positions in athletics administration are featured in the video in an effort to demonstrate to viewers that their dreams can indeed become a reality. Once the video is completed, copies will be distributed to all campuses with a cover letter introducing the video, explaining its purpose and suggesting formats for presentation. The video's success will be measured by follow-up communication with campus administrators, as well as monitoring professional-development inquiries to the NCAA national office to see if individuals acquired their contact information from the video.

Whitcomb said helping student-athletes select a career path is one of the many positive impacts that the video will have.

"Hopefully, the video will sensitize and raise the awareness of people who haven't necessarily thought about college athletics as a career choice," he said. "This newfound awareness may prompt more student-athletes to consider attending institutions that can prepare them for a career in athletics administration or help them discover ways they can enter the field through their current major."

Whitcomb said no matter how the effects of the video manifest themselves, the primary goal is showing student-athletes they can remain involved in something they enjoy doing.

"Awareness and education are the keys in helping student-athletes realize how their passion can become a career."