Robert Salhab III, a senior track and field student-athlete at Jackson State, was recognized as the 2026 NCAA Accelerating Academic Success Program Career Development Award honoree this week at the NCAA Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis.
The honor is tied to the NCAA's AASP initiative, which provides academic grants to historically underresourced colleges and universities. The NCAA awarded close to $2 million to eligible schools last year to increase student-athlete academic success and strengthen efforts to increase student-athlete graduation.
The AASP Career Development Award recognizes one or more student-athletes from Division I AASP schools who plan to pursue careers in athletics or sports-related fields. Salhab, a health, physical education and recreation major with a minor in business administration, has access to NCAA programming and networking opportunities at the Career in Sports Forum, along with more than 150 additional student-athlete attendees.
"I am truly blessed and honored to be recognized as an AASP award recipient, and I look forward to representing Jackson State University at the NCAA Career in Sports Forum," Salhab said.Â
"This selection marks a pivotal milestone in my journey, serving as a vital bridge toward my aspirations of becoming a professional sports executive. I am excited to collaborate with industry leaders and peers to explore innovative ways to enhance holistic athlete development and long-term success. The insights and connections gained through this forum will provide an invaluable foundation as I prepare to impact the sports industry from both the operational and wellness perspectives. I look forward to bringing this knowledge back to the JSU campus to empower my fellow student-athletes and better inform my future professional endeavors," Salhab said.
Salhab plans to enter therapeutic recreation and business upon graduation. His goal is to bridge the gap between front-office strategy and elite player development, focusing on the medical and holistic wellness frameworks that drive peak athletic performance.
Salhab competes in throwing events for the Tigers track program. The Carrollton, Georgia, native, who has maintained a 3.7 GPA and has logged over 280 hours of community service and athletic training experience at Jackson State, was named a fall 2025 DREAM Scholar and is the incoming social media lead for the Jackson State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
The NCAA Career in Sports Forum began Wednesday and continues through Saturday in Indianapolis.
