Our Team

Walter Boggan is the Founder of 5th & Lemon and the Executive Director of the Sports Industry Academy (SIA). With more than 25 years of experience at the intersection of education and sports, Walter has dedicated his career to creating access, opportunity, and clear pathways for students from diverse backgrounds to pursue higher education and meaningful careers—within the sports industry and beyond.

Through his leadership, Walter has helped hundreds of students gain exposure to career possibilities, connect with mentors, and build life-changing professional networks. His background in sports management includes assisting in the representation of elite MLB and NBA athletes such as Ricky Weeks, Sammy Sosa, Grant Hill, Tim Duncan, and Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer James Worthy—experiences that shaped his understanding of how athletics, business, and education intersect.

In higher education, Walter most recently served as Director of Admissions, Outreach & Diversity Initiatives at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he led efforts to expand access to graduate education for underrepresented students and built innovative partnerships with community colleges and universities across California.

Walter’s work through 5th & Lemon and the Sports Industry Academy is grounded in a deep commitment to equity, mentorship, and legacy-building. His mission is simple yet powerful: to ensure students are not only inspired to dream, but equipped to achieve at the highest levels.