After I completed my undergrad in journalism, I earned a Master's in Sport Management at UMass. While I truly enjoyed my experiences in broadcast, sports was always the reason I wanted to pursue that career. I figured out that I wanted to consider a more professional environment for my career in sports and that is the reason I decided to go to UMass, a very prestigious school for this discipline. Check out the program. (The school just finalized a deal to house the Mark McCormack Collection!)
My goal since attending UMass has been to work for a MLB team or the Major League Baseball. I hope to realize that goal soon!
While I was in the program, I worked on several graduate level projects. I worked in a team of other graduate students to develop a sponsorship activation strategy for an international beverage company and we pitched it to the sports and lifestyle marketing firm that manages that brand. We pitched one activation strategy for the Ryder Cup, with whom the brand had already established a relationship, and one strategy outside of sports.
Some other things I did in the program include working as the teaching assistant for the facilities management undergrad course and work on SoccerFest. It is a grassroots soccer tournament hosted by the Sport Management program and organized entirely by students. We marketed the event, made sponsorship deals and managed all the activities over the course of the day.
As I have mentioned, I have not found the job I have been looking for since I completed the program in 2008. However, I have done whatever I can to continue to gain experience. I currently coach a sixth grade basketball team and work with managing leagues at a local community center. (My team just lost a heartbreaker in the final four, but I pride myself on how much we improved over the course of the season.) I also rode my bike in Pelotonia, a grassroots bike ride in Columbus, Ohio that raises funds for the James Cancer Center at Ohio State University. I continue to write for Rotowire and I also manage events for Ohio University alumni in Columbus.
I currently work for Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) in a position completely unrelated to sports. That is not a knock on OCCH because the organization does some very good work for people in Ohio and surrounding states who need affordable housing options and I am honored to work there. The important thing is that I continue to work as hard as I can to find the right career fit while making ends meet and having a positive impact on everything I do. When it comes to most of the things I listed above, I want to make it clear that I work but I also am fulfilled in the meaningful work that I do.
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