Media

Carissa Sweigart
E33

Description: For Episode 33 of My First Job in Sports, Dr. G. and I spoke with Carissa Sweigart, the Director of Culture & Wellbeing at Acushnet Company. This episode is part of our Special "Get in The Game" editions of MFJIS. For those who may not be familiar, Acushnet Brands is the parent company of several leading names in the golf industry, including Titleist, FootJoy, Pinnacle, Vokey Wedges, and Scotty Cameron Putters, to name a few. At the beginning of the show, Dr. G. and I discussed the excellent opportunities available in the golf business, particularly in working with major brands in the industry. During our conversation, we covered topics such as finding a good mentor and the importance of focusing on one person at an event to make a strong impression. We also talked about the value of just getting involved at any level and being open to various potential opportunities. Carissa emphasized that you don’t have to love or even be familiar with a sport to carve out a successful career in this business.

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Carissa Sweigart
Director of Culture & Wellbeing, Acushnet Company
Based in Plymouth, MA
Linkedin.com/in/carissa-Sweigart
Carissa’s career has spanned 27 years across Sales, Marketing and People & Culture. During that time, she has worked in the sports and beverage industry for such notable organizations as the United States Olympic Committee, US Hockey, Colorado Rapids, and The Boston Beer Company.  In her current role at Acushnet Company, her team is responsible for developing activities and platforms that support the overall associate experience, which includes onsite gym and fitness facilities, nutrition and food services, mental health and wellbeing resources, associate pulse surveys and more.  Outside of work, Carissa enjoys playing golf, coaching girls’ basketball and soccer, watching her son and daughter play sports and spending time at the beach and in the mountains with family.
 

Blake Fenn
E32

Description: For Episode 32 of My First Job in Sports, Dr G. and I spoke to Blake Fenn, who is currently an Account Manager for Club Services at Hard Rock Stadium. The stadium is a multi-function facility that has been able to expand out its offerings beyond The Miami Dolphins, The Miami Grand Prix, and the Miami Open Tennis events. Blake came to us via The S3 Sports Management program at Baylor University. For Blake, he always knew that he wanted to get into the sports business via the sales route. Blake has learned how to get out of his comfort zone and speak to people to learn how to establish relationships before getting into anything close to the sales or selling process. Blake loves the process of helping people reach their marketing goals via the various offerings available at Hard Rock Stadium.

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Blake Fenn is currently an Account Manager, Club Service for the Miami Dolphins, Crypto.com Formula One Miami Grand Prix, and Miami Open. Originally from Houston, Texas, and growing up in Birmingham, AL, he went on to Baylor University where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration with majors in Marketing (emphasis on Sports, Strategy & Sales) as well as Entrepreneurship and Corporate Innovation.
 

Camryn Cook
E31

Description: The latest episode of My First Job in Sports from SBRnet features an in-depth discussion with Camryn Cook, Manager of Corporate Partnerships for Austin FC of Major League Soccer. Camryn graduated from Baylor University's S3 Sports Management program well prepared to take her place in the world of sports business. During the show, it was apparent that Camryn took a number of bold steps that were instrumental in helping her get that all-important first job in sports with Real Salt Lake, also of Major League Soccer.

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Born and raised in Kansas City, Camryn is a dedicated and driven sports marketing professional with a passion for building meaningful connections between brands and fans, as well as the game of soccer. After earning a degree in Sports Marketing from Baylor University in 2021, Camryn began her career in professional sports with Real Salt Lake, serving as a Fan Service Representative. In this role, she gained valuable experience in fan engagement, customer service, and event operations within the MLS.
 
Currently, Camryn is the Manager of Corporate Partnerships at Austin FC, where she leads strategic efforts to develop and maintain impactful relationships with Austin FC's partners. With a strong foundation in sports marketing and a commitment to innovation and collaboration, Camryn continues to contribute to the growth and success of Austin FC and its community.
 

Annie Borovskiy
E30

Description: In Episode 30, that’s right MFJIS fans, My First Job in Sports celebrated their 30th show with Annie Borovskiy. Most recently, Annie worked as an inside sales rep for BSE Global, the parent company of the Brooklyn Nets of the NBA, N.Y. Liberty of the WNBA, and owner/operators of the Barclays Center. Annie is a graduate of the Sports Management program at High Point University in North Carolina. Annie talked about the value of ensuring that you take the right classes and get as close as possible to members of the faculty while in school. Annie gravitated to the sales side of the business to give her the widest view of experiences to help her better understand the inner workings when it comes to the marketing aspects of a professional sports team.

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Annie Borovskiy is a 2024 sport management graduate of High Point University from Langhorne, PA. During her time at HPU she was involved with the Recreation Department, Student Government & had internship experiencesat Wake Forest Sports Properties & Carolina University. She recently worked as an Inside Sales Rep for the Brooklyn Nets/BSE Global, where she gained hands-on experience in sales and the sports industry. With a strong passion for sports and people, Annie is excited to take the next step in her career.
 

Gabby Mayo
E29

Description: In Episode 29 of My First Job in Sports, Gabby Mayo discussed her journey from working with the baseball program at Florida Atlantic University to her current role as a Baseball Operations Analyst for the Cincinnati Reds. In her current position, Gabby has been able to rely on both the knowledge gained from the classroom and her internship experiences with FAU Baseball. Gabby talked about how she overcame her own shyness and reluctance to reach out to others. Gabby charted her course in baseball and then set out to acquire the knowledge and experience that would make her an asset to the Reds.

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Gabby Mayo works as a baseball operations analyst for the Cincinnati Reds. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in 2020 and earned a Master's degree from FAU's prestigious sports management MBA program in 2022. During her time at FAU, Gabby spent five years in various roles with the FAU Baseball team.  Additionally, she served as a baseball operations coordinator with USA Baseball in the Appalachian League during the summer of 2021 in Pulaski, VA, and worked as a Track-Man operator for the Miami Marlins' FCL team in the summer of 2022. In January 2023, Gabby was hired as a Baseball Operations trainee with the Reds and subsequently secured a full-time analyst position. Her primary focus is collaborating with the amateur scouting department, where she manages various administrative tasks, most notably entering player selections during the amateur draft. Gabby also conducts research for the major league team, which includes salary arbitration, roster management, and trade deadline preparations for both amateur and professional scouting assignments.
 

Alex Halloran
E28

Description: In Episode 28 of My First Job in Sports, Dr. Gardiner and I spoke with Alex Halloran. Alex is a graduate of the Sports Management program at High Point University. He is currently working as an Account Executive for SportingJax, which operates professional soccer teams for both men and women. For Alex, sales has been a clear pathway to his first job and current role in sports. He discussed in detail how sales has suited him well, helping him set goals and establish a clear direction for his career in the sports industry. Before joining SportingJax, Alex held similar sales positions with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Duke University and worked on events like the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. As Dr. G effectively points out, sales may not be the most glamorous entry point into a sports career, but it can be exceptionally lucrative and educational.

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Alex Halloran is a Sport Management graduate with a minor in Sales from High Point University. He began his career as a Sales Intern for the High Point Rockers before becoming a Box Office Assistant, where he contributed to ticketing operations and customer relationship management. He then worked with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an Inside Sales Representative, generating over $250,000 in new season sales for the 2023 season and exceeding sales goals by 340% for The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Next, Alex joined Duke University, where he sold season, single, and group tickets for the 2023-2024 season, surpassing sales goals by 150% and gaining leadership experience by hiring and training Account Executives.
 

Emily Bogdanowicz
E27

Description: In episode 27 of My First Job in Sports, Dr. G. and Neil chat with Emily Bogdanowicz, a membership associate for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. Emily discusses her commitment to excellence and the determination to learn, which have been key to her early success in internships and volunteer roles, where she developed skills in sales, marketing, and team collaboration. Bogdanowicz holds a degree from the Sports Management program at the University of New Haven. Emily emphasizes the power of saying “yes” and the importance of not limiting herself in learning new skills, gaining valuable work experience, and working in situations that may not always feel comfortable.

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Emily Bogdanowicz is a highly motivated and dedicated sports industry professional whose academic achievements and hands-on experiences in college paved the way to her first role with the Atlanta Hawks. Throughout her time at the University of New Haven, she consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and a passion for sports management, gaining valuable experience in customer service, event operations, and ticket sales with organizations such as Yale University’s Payne Whitney Gymnasium, the Philadelphia Eagles, and Hartford Athletic. Her commitment to excellence and determination to learn contributed to her success in internships and volunteer roles, where she honed her skills in sales, marketing, and team collaboration. Emily’s persistence and ability to excel in both academic and professional settings earned her a Membership Associate position with the Atlanta Hawks, where she continues to thrive and develop her career in the sports industry. Her journey is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and a passion for sports.
 

Dr Ashley Gardner Joins My First Job in Sports
E26

Description: SBRnet is excited to welcome Dr. Ashley Gardner as the new co-host of the My First Job In Sports web series and podcast. Now entering its fourth season, MFJIS aims to assist students in securing that all-important first job in the sports industry, should they choose to pursue a career in that field. Dr. G., as she prefers to be called, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management at Temple University in Philadelphia. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in Sport Studies, specializing in Sport Management and Sociology. Gardner's research focuses on racial diversity, human resource management, and career mobility strategies for people of color in the sports industry. Prior to her doctoral studies, she obtained a Master's degree in Sport Management from the University of Michigan and, most notably, a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from the distinguished Hampton University. Besides her academic achievements, Gardner has taken on various roles in the sports industry, both as an intern and a full-time staff member, including positions with the Chicago Sky, USA Fencing, the Cincinnati Reds, and Nike’s Tournament of Champions. Fans of My First Job in Sports, meet Dr. Ashley Gardner.

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Dr. G., as she prefers to be called, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management at Temple University in Philadelphia. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in Sport Studies, specializing in Sport Management and Sociology. Gardner's research focuses on racial diversity, human resource management, and career mobility strategies for people of color in the sports industry. Prior to her doctoral studies, she obtained a Master's degree in Sport Management from the University of Michigan and, most notably, a Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from the distinguished Hampton University.
 

Miriam Duen and Jasmine Brown
E25

Description: In this special "Get in the Game" edition of My First Job in Sports, we had two amazing guests who provided inspiration, motivation, and guidance on what it takes for soon-to-be graduates to secure their first job in sports. We first spoke with Jasmine to better understand her focus on financial literacy and related issues. Then, we spoke with Miriam, who is focused on using digital media to build a personal brand and leverage it for multiple purposes. Miriam emphasized the importance of networking in the job search process, not just in sports, but in any situation.

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Miriam Duen
Miriam Duen is a successful entrepreneur, leader, and innovator. She co-founded The Total Athlete Collective and founded AVOT (Avocado Thoughts). As a D1 student-athlete at North Carolina Central University, she developed a passion for innovation, technology, and community engagement.  Miriam holds an MPA in Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Leadership and is a published author of the poetry book Avocado Thoughts. She also co-hosts "The Hustle TakeOver" podcast, sharing insights on business and modern entrepreneurship.

Jasmine Brown
Jasmine Brown is a passionate advocate for financial empowerment and youth development. She is committed to equipping students and athletes with the knowledge and tools necessary to achieve financial independence through her nonprofit, FACTS for Youth. With best-selling books and 18 years of experience as a swim coach, Jasmine continues to make a positive impact. She is excited to share her wisdom on the My First Job in Sports Podcast alongside her business partner.
 

Lisa Anne Higgins
E24

Description: In the latest episode of My First Job In Sports, Neil Schwartz and Dr. Tim Koba chat with Lisa Anne Higgins, Director of Development at Florida Atlantic University Athletics. With a strong passion for sports and connecting with people, Lisa Anne explains how her role is centered around bringing together diverse individuals and sports. She shares her inspiring college and career journey, offering valuable insights and tips that have helped shape her. Lisa Anne delves into the importance of building authentic relationships, emphasizing how meaningful connections have been key to her professional growth. Additionally, she reveals her top advice for college students in this worthwhile episode.

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Lisa Anne Higgins joined the full-time staff in May 2021 as the executive assistant to Brian White, FAU's vice president and director of athletics. In that role, she was the point of contact and host for the Athletic Director’s Suite, where she focused on engaging with donors and high-level constituents, including members of FAU's Board of Trustees and the University President. Lisa Anne Higgins was promoted to director of development in the fall of 2023.
 
A native of Wellington, Florida, she obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Florida Atlantic University in December 2020, and a Master of Business Administration degree from FAU's renowned MBA Sport Management program in December 2022.
 
During her time as an undergraduate student, Higgins interned in the athletics marketing department, development office, and executive office. From 2019, she worked closely with the development staff to create and implement growth and fundraising strategies for the Paradise Club. She also focused on stewardship efforts for events and provided support for the development office and FAU Foundation, as well as assisting with the Paradise Club’s social media accounts.
 
Before joining FAU, Higgins earned an associate's degree from East Mississippi Community College, where she was a member of the varsity cheer team during the 2017 NJCAA Football National Championship season. She also spent five years as a Universal Cheerleading Association staff instructor, traveling all over the southeast and mid-south regions of the US to instruct high school and college spirit programs.
 

Kali Franklin
E23

Description: Episode 23 of "My First Job in Sports" started off with a lively discussion between Dr. Lindsay and me, resembling an episode of "The View." We covered a wide range of topics in the world of sports, from the growing prominence of women’s sports to the impact of Caitlin Clark. There was a lot to talk about before introducing our guest. In Episode 23 of My First Job in Sports, Dr. Lindsay and I had a conversation with Kali Franklin, Vice President of Human Resources for On Location. On Location specializes in creating unique experiences at major events around the world. During our discussion, Kali shared insights about her journey to landing her first job in sports. She also talked extensively about her experiences interviewing job candidates for full-time positions and internships. Kali's non-linear career path in the sports industry included stops at Target and Microsoft, which ultimately led her to work for the Arthur Blank Organization, known for being one of the best ownership groups in sports, and The New York City Football (Soccer) Club before taking on her current role at On Location. If you are interested in pursuing a career in sports, I highly recommend watching, listening and paying careful attention to Kali's advice and learning from her experiences.

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In her professional life, as Vice President, Human Resources for On Location
(“unparalleled access to the best and biggest events in sports, music and lifestyle”), Kali is responsible for fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. As a champion of people, both in process and development, she thrives at creating meaningful connections within the company and communities which are served.
 
Over the course of her twenty plus-year human resources career, she has proven to be a resourceful partner who is results-oriented, influential, and vision driven. Her exciting background includes successful assignments within a small and informal family business, on the operations and supply chain side of a national retailer (Target), instrumental in the launch of a new business division for a global technology company (Microsoft), and as the functional leader for three well respected sports and entertainment companies (Arthur Blank's Sports and Entertainment businesses, NYC Football Club and Overtime Elite). In each of these experiences, she has proven to be a transformational leader with a track record of developing and implementing strategic human capital plans, establishing accountability, identifying solutions to resolve problems, and cultivating a diverse workplace that enables all team members to contribute at their full potential. 
 
Proud of her ability to quickly identify and interpret business obstacles, Kali is often reflective of the challenges that she has faced and the leadership philosophy that has pulled her through is, “If you can only find one solution to the problem, you don’t fully understand the problem or the opportunity”.  
 

Alana Sullivan
E22

Description: For Episode 22 of "My First Job in Sports" web and podcast from SBRnet, Dr. Lindsey and I interviewed Alana Sullivan, a graduate of the Sports Management program at High Point University. After completing her studies, Alana joined Wolfpack Sports Properties, a division of Learfield, where she initially worked in client services and coordinator of partner services. Currently, Alana is responsible for managing the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) relationships for more than 550 college athletes at North Carolina State University. Her role provides her with a significant opportunity to grow her sales and business development skills.

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Alana Sullivan is a proud alumnus of High Point University’s Sport Management Program. Upon graduation Alana transitioned into a full-time role with LEARFIELD’s Wolfpack Sports Properties (NC State), in Raleigh, NC. In her first role at WSP, she served on the client services end as a Coordinator,  Partnership Services. After 13 months, Alana transitioned into her new role as an Associate Manger of Business Development for NIL. Where she oversees corporate sponsorship opportunities in the NIL space for the over 550 student athletes at NC State. Her background includes activating sponsorship agreements, partnership events, and marketing.

Samantha Kinsley
E21

Description: Sam Kinsley is an Account Executive at Bespoke Sports and Entertainment, based out of Charlotte, North Carolina. Bespoke is a sports and entertainment consulting and experiential marketing agency that assists brands in selecting the right partnerships and maximizing their sponsorship investment. Sam graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Sports Management with a 4.0 GPA while working part-time for the Carolina Panthers and competing full-time as a pole vaulter on the Gamecock's track and field team. Sam has a passion for creating once in a lifetime experiences though sport, driving client's business forward through relationship building. She finds purpose in creating lasting memories and impactful moments in a fast-paced, exciting industry.

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 In the 21st episode of the "My First Job in Sports" web series and podcast, Samantha Kinsley of Bespoke Sports & Entertainment is interviewed. This series is an excellent resource for learning what it takes to land a job in sports from those who already have them. Produced by SBRnet, the show is hosted by Neil Schwartz and Lindsey Darvin, Ph.D. In this episode, Samantha, also known as Sam, shares her experiences as an Account Executive at Sports and Entertainment, a consulting and experiential marketing agency located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bespoke helps brands choose the right partnerships and make the most of their sponsorship investments. Sam is passionate about creating unique experiences through sports, building relationships with clients, and driving their businesses forward. She finds purpose in creating unforgettable memories and impactful moments in a fast-paced, exciting industry. Throughout the episode, Sam offers valuable advice to anyone interested in pursuing a career in sports. Here is the video version, you can get the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

Gerard D'Ambosio, III
E20

Description: My First Job in Sports has reached its 20th episode. Our goal is to provide some great insights from recent college graduates focused on the first few jobs in the business of sports. In this episode, we spoke to Gerard D'Ambrosio, manager of Ticket Sales for Inter Miami CF of the MLS. With the recent signing of the G.O.A.T. of soccer/football, Lionel Messi, Gerard discussed what it's like to wake up overnight and have to deal with the challenges of being the manager of ticket sales for the hottest sports team in the region. This edition also featured a surprise guest host, Melissa Schwartz. If that last name seems a bit too close to home it's because Melissa is my daughter, a huge sports fan. She subbed in for Dr. Lyndsey who was under the weather after her trip to the Women's Final Four Basketball Tournament.

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Gerard D’Ambrosio III, currently the Manager, Ticket Sales for Inter Miami CF, is originallyfrom Old Bridge, NJ. He went to school at American University where he studied business administration and ran cross country and track. He worked in marketing for 3 years (2 intern years and 1 year remotely during COVID) before jumping into sports sales. He started with the Miami Dolphins in January 2021 as a Sales Development Representative and was promoted to an Account Executive, Business Development in August of 2021. He stayed in that role as a top producer until February of 2023. He started as the Manager, Ticket Sales in March 2023 and has led the New Sales strategy for season ticket, group ticket, single game suites, and waitlist deposits in his time with the team.

Blake Taub
E19

Description: In the latest episode of My First Job In Sports, Dr. Lindsey and I spoke to Blake Taub, Account Executive for the NY Islanders. Blake has an interesting journey as he made his way from the Falk School at Syracuse University to his current position with the Islanders. After multiple internships and stints in sports tourism, Blake found his way to a job he loves in a sport that he loves.

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Blake Taub is a proud graduate of Syracuse University with a major in Sport Management. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Blake is currently an Account Executive with the New York Islanders. Previously, Blake worked for the New York Jets in a Postgraduate Premium Partnerships Program, interned with NASCAR, and completed a semester-long capstone with the Nashville Sports Council. His experience includes establishing, activating, and maintaining strategic partnerships, generating revenue, and planning events. He is known for his grit, strong interpersonal communication and writing skills, creativity, collaborative mindset, and willingness to learn and to accept feedback. Blake has been an avid ice and roller hockey player for over a decade, and he enjoys anything and everything sports, fitness, and entertainment.

Katelinn Cummings
E18

Description:

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For our first show in 2024, Dr. Lindsey and I spoke to Katelinn Cummings, Assistant Director of Compliance for Syracuse University Athletics. Katelinn has a great story to tell for anyone who is interested in working for a university in compliance. Cummings came to the Cuse after spending the 2021-22 academic year at nearby Binghamton University where she was an Academic Advisor/NCAA Compliance Assistant working with volleyball, men's golf, women's tennis and men's and women's swimming and diving as well as some day-to-day responsibilities in the NCAA Compliance Office. Cummings is a 2020 graduate of SUNY Cortland where she was a member of the women's ice hockey team. She went on to earn a Masters degree in Higher Education from UAlbany in 2022.

Lindsey Darvin
E17

Description: My First Job in Sports Welcomes Lindsey Darvin, PH.D as our new co-host

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SBRnet is pleased to announce Dr. Lindsey Darvin as the new co-host for the My First Job in Sports Webcast and Podcast. Dr. Darvin is an assistant professor at Syracuse University. She holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance with a concentration in Sport Management from the University of Florida, an M.S. in Sport Management from UMass Amherst, and a B.A. in Political Science from Bryn Mawr College. Her research focuses on gender equity in the sport and esports industries, specifically addressing the underrepresentation of women leaders and participants at the intercollegiate and professional levels. We extend a warm welcome to Dr. Lindsey on My First Job.

DeAnthony White
E16

Description: DeAnthony’s passion for running has led him to join the energetic and knowledgeable team at Charm City Run. DeAnthony’s background in business development and sports marketing stems from tenures with Under Armour, UNC-Chapel Hill Athletics, and a slew of other well-known companies.

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Director of CCR Mobile and Brand Partnerships, Charm City Running, Baltimore MD. Outside of work, DeAnthony enjoys exercising, attending music festivals, and trying out new foods & restaurants in the DC/Baltimore area. DeAnthony does a little of everything with CCR, from business development, brand awareness initiatives, events, and leading the CCR Mobile Van experience to a city near you!

Aswand Cruickshank
E15

Description: On this special Get in the Game edition of My First Job in Sports, we veered away from our usual storylines and look at how someone that s considering taking the entrepreneurial route as an option for their future career in sports. Aswand Cruikshank was able to detail his ups and downs as he navigated the process of finding out where he was likely to find his place in the sports business. My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet.

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Aswand Cruickshank is a two-time author, who works with hiring managers to increase the productivity within their teams- 80m in Silve' Spring Maryland. Aswand voted captain Of multiple foot• bail teams that became nationally known programs. Aswand then went on to attend several colleges. in which he furthered his education an leadership, by not any being a member ofthe football team, but by also gaining experience in the workplace, es a front desk manager at a local health Club. Once Aswand Graduated from Stony University, he his but also became as certified college scout and spent multiple seasons as a High school football coach.

Jordan McGrigg
E14

Description: In this special Get in the Game edition of My First Job in Sports, Mark and Neil spoke to Jordan McGrigg. Jordan is a native of Jackson Mississippi, currently residing in Jersey City New Jersey. Jordan is currently working with the New York Jets as a Studio Assistant alongside Daily Digital Producer. I live by: “Be so different, people have to chose you”. Jordan discussed how his attitude, motivations and inspirations all combined to get him his current position with the NY Jets. He also detailed his journey and how he was able to leverage the mentor-mentee relationship with previous guest Philip Wilkerson to its fullest extent.

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He graduated from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications along with a concentration in Mass Media Production.

Philip Wilkerson
E13.5

Description: Philip L. Wilkerson III is a higher education professional with a passion for student development and diversity, equity, and inclusion. He has a strong track record of success in working with students, faculty, administrators, parents, and employers. Philip has a growing knowledge of well-being practices as well as a firm grasp on strengths-based coaching and mentoring.

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Philip is currently an Employer Engagement Consultant for Media, Arts, Design, Hospitality & Tourism, and Technology & Engineering at George Mason University Career Services in Fairfax, VA. In this role, he supports external employers looking to recruit Mason talent by promoting opportunities, organizing events, and sharing best practices with those looking to recruit at George Mason University

Jasmin Cunningham
E13

Description: In this special, Get in the Game edition of My First Job in Sports, Mark and Neil spoke with Jasmin Cunningham, Player Development Representative for Acushnet Brands, parent company of Titleist and Footjoy. During the show, Jasmin talked about how she got her start in golf as a member of the First Tee program in her hometown of Atlanta, GA.

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Jasmin enrolled in the Professional Golf Management program at Maryland Eastern Shore University.  It was there that Jasmin learned the important skills and obtained the tools necessary to build a career in golf.  She did a number of internships in golf before joining Acushnet as a Player Development Representative.   Jasmin is also paying it forward as she volunteers with the local First Tee program in Baltimore where she resides.

Russ Scibetti
E12

Description: For episode 12 of the My First Job in Sports Web Series, Mark and Neil spoke with Russ Scibetti, Vice-President, Strategy and Business Intelligence for the NY Football Giants. Russ is a self-described “data nerd,” who has parlayed his facility with numbers and love of sports into a career that began in grad school at Arizona State and since taken him to the Philadelphia Flyers, the New York Jets and now on to his hometown Giants. Russ studied computer science, math and psychology in school but also began building his network through events and public speaking groups while in school. He shares his story, ideas and job searching tips in this extremely worthwhile episode.

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Vice President, Strategy & Business Intelligence
New York Football Giants
 
In his role as Vice President of Strategy & Business Intelligence for the New York Giants, Russell oversees how the business-side of the organization leverages data and technology to drive ticketing, sponsorships and overall fan engagement. His team is directly responsible for such areas as CRM, lead scoring, predictive modeling, pricing, and reporting, while collaborating across all other departments for strategic planning and analysis. Russell came to the Giants from KORE Software, where as CMO and President of KORE Planning & Insights (KPI), he led the company’s marketing efforts while also running KORE’s consulting division that helped teams, leagues, venues, and providers take full advantage of emerging data and technology platforms. He spent his first three years at KORE as the Vice President of Product Strategy where he was responsible for the vision, planning, and development of KORE’s cloud-based CRM and data warehouse applications.
 
Prior to joining KORE, he was the Director of Relationship and Database Marketing for the New York Jets, where he managed a cross-departmental CRM initiative that connected ticketing, sales, service, and marketing to execute multi-channel sales and retention campaigns and provide detailed insights into the team’s corporate and consumer business efforts. He has also held analytics roles with the Arizona State University athletic department and Comcast-Spectacor for the Philadelphia Flyers.
 
In addition to his professional experience, Russell is an adjunct lecturer in the Sports Management program at Columbia University where he designed and teaches courses on business intelligence in sports.
 

Brandon Williams
E11

Description: Communication and networking were appropriate topics in our conversation with Brandon Williams, director global communications at Fanatics, who we met at a networking event. Brandon shares his career path from public relations agencies in New York City to his current role at the rapidly growing one-stop digital sports platform.

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Brandon Williams is the director of Global Communications for Fanatics, the licensed product company that has expanded into NFTs and other digital businesses surrounding the sports fan experience. Williams got his start in the agency business, working for Taylor Communications and then two larger global agencies: Edelman and Ketchum. He has a BS in Recreation, Park & Tourism Management from Penn State and is an alumni advisor to the school’s sports business conference.

JD Wood
E10

Description: On Episode 10 of My First Job in Sports, Mark Sullivan and Neil Schwartz spoke to J.D. Wood, Head of Business Development for the Dallas Sports Commission. Sports Commissions are an integral part of the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s that are responsible for bringing both fan-based and participation based sports events to local areas. Sports Travel is estimated to deliver just over 45 Billion dollars in total economic impact domestically. There are currently 850 Sports Commissions that serve as a great point of entry for those looking to get that all important first job in sports.

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J.D. Wood returned to Dallas in February 2020 to become the Director of Business Development for the Dallas Sports Commission where he will pursue strategic growth opportunities and partnership efforts for the DSC.

The native of Onalaska, Texas returns to Dallas after most recently working as the General Manager of the Panama City Beach (FL) Sports Complex / Sports Facility Management. There he was responsible for business development and overall supervision of the complex that included the event bidding process and contract negotiations. Wood served as the Sports Sales & Event Manager with the Dallas CVB Sports Marketing department (now the DSC) from 2012-13.

Wood received a bachelor's and master's degree in Sport Management from Texas A&M University. Since his graduation, he has had the privilege of working with some of the best in the sport tourism industry including stints with the City of College Station, Dallas CVB, National Senior Games and Texas A&M Athletics. J.D. has had the opportunity to work on events like the Games of Texas, NBA All-Star Game, Dallas Cup, Cotton Bowl Classic and the NFL Super Bowl. Additionally, Wood serves on many national sports tourism industry boards such as Sports ETA and Event Connects Sportology Conference and was an Assistant Lecturer for the Texas A&M Sports Management Department.

When he is not working or volunteering, J.D. enjoys spending time with his wife, Cherish, and their daughters, Kennedy, Everly and Sutton.

Lucie Kloak
E09

Description: Lucie Kloak, Manager of Brand Partnerships at Draft Kings stopped by to speak with Mark and Neil in this episode of My First Job in Sports. Lucie's love for sports started very early as a multi-sport athlete and let it grow from her participation on the Division 1 Rowing Team while at the University of North Carolina to her current role at Draft Kings. At Draft Kings Lucie brings brands to work with Draft King’s Vegas Stats and Information Network and working to grow their platform. Sports Gambling is a hot category at the moment and Lucie has some great words of wisdom for anyone that wants to get in that category.

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Lucie Kloak is a Brand Partnerships Manager at DraftKings based out of New York, NY. For the last 3 years, she has been a member of the Integrated Marketing team at DraftKings and recently moved over to the Brand Partnerships team and her new role at the end of July. Specifically, Lucie has been focusing on DraftKings’ new acquired company VSiN (Vegas Stats & Information Network) based out of Las Vegas, NV. Her role consists of bring brands and partnerships into VSiN for sponsorship opportunities and growing the DraftKing content platform.

Lucie is from New Jersey and a proud Carolina Tar Heel alumni, having graduated UNC Chapel Hill in 2016. Lucie has been based out of New York City since graduation first starting her career at PVH (Phillip Van Huesen) on the Sports Marketing Sponsorship team. Lucie was a member of the Division 1 Rowing Team at Carolina and graduated from the Journalism School with a focus in PR and Business. Lucie is an avid sports fan, having played ice-hockey and lacrosse growing up. In her free time, Lucie is a CorePower Yoga Sculpt instructor and active football tailgating fan!

Tim Foster
E08

Description: On Episode 8 of the My first Job in Sports Web Series, Mark and I spoke with Timari, (Tim), Foster. Tim is a recent graduate of the University of Colorado where she obtained her certificate in Sports Business. Tim has recently joined Farrell Sports, the sports marketing firm headed by Matt Farrell. If you are looking for that first job, sports marketing agencies represent a great place to obtain the skills you need.

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Timari, (Tim) is a recent graduate of University of Colorado-Boulder in Integrative Physiology with a certificate in the Business of Sports. Currently serving as Marketing Coordinator for Farrell Sports. Her previous work includes street team member for the Anaheim Ducks, student coordinator for the CU Business of Sports program, and social media manager for The California Olive.

Jeff Hall
E07

Description:

Episode 7 of the My First Job in Sports web series took us to the Golf Business. Our interview with Jeff Hall, PGA Professional, focused on how he has able to turn his passion for the game of golf into his chosen career. Jeff discussed the importance of building a great team and ensuring that everyone is aligned with the overall goals for the program. Jeff also detailed the many different types of jobs that the golf business offers and how to go about getting them.

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Jeff Hall was born and raised in Dutchess County, NY. He attended Canterbury Prep School in New Milford, CT where he lettered in 3 Varsity Sports. Jeff knew he wanted to be a Golf Professional at a young age therefore he attended Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC. Jeff started his professional career at Branton Woods, now Trump National Hudson Valley, where he learned about the golf business. Deciding he wanted to be a Golf Professional all year around he moved down to South Florida where he was an Assistant Golf Professional at The Polo Club of Boca Raton for 5 years. At The Polo Club he received his PGA Class A Certification and Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certification. Most recently he has been the PGA Head Golf Professional at Westchester Country Club in Boynton Beach, FL. Jeff prides himself on being a complete Golf Professional, but has a passion for teaching the game and truly enjoys making every golfer as good as they can be.

Scott Kaufman Ross
E06

Description: Scott Kaufman Ross, Senior Vice President, Head of Gaming & New Business Ventures at National Basketball Association, offers some unconventional advice on breaking into the sports business and shares his story of how he moved from the financial world to a senior role at the NBA. His top tips for skill development? Learn how to organize your thoughts and present them in a concise orderly fashion. Writing great e-mails and understanding how to tell a story in your writing and presentations will help you succeed!

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Senior Vice President, Head of Gaming & New Business Ventures National Basketball Association

As Senior Vice President, Head of Gaming & New Business Ventures for the NBA, Scott Kaufman-Ross manages all initiatives related to the league’s commercial endeavors in the fantasy sports & sports betting landscape and oversees the league’s efforts to explore new sports business revenue opportunities. Scott led the NBA’s partnerships with MGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Yahoo, FOXBET, William Hill, Unibet, bet365, BetEasy, Tabcorp and Dream11 and served as the NBA’s Board Observer to FanDuel for three years. Before taking on his current role, Scott spent four years on the NBA’s Global Strategy Team evaluating the league’s strategic approach to new business areas such as daily fantasy sports, sports betting, esports, and venture investing. Prior to joining the NBA, Scott spent four years at Goldman Sachs in the Global Investment Research division.

Peter Copp
E05

Description: The show is titled: My First Job in Sports and we interviewed Peter Copp who is actually on his first job in sports. Peter is a graduate of the Sports Marketing and Management program at Indiana who landed his first job in the data business at Stats Perform.

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Peter Copp is a recent graduate of Indiana University, where he majored in Sports Marketing & Management with a double minor in the Kelley School of Business.  Peter is a native of San Diego who now lives in Chicago, IL – where he is employed by one of the global leaders in sports data and technology, Stats Perform, serving as a Business Development Representative (BDR).

Prior to Stats Perform, Peter held internships in a sales capacity for companies such as Big 5 Sporting Goods, VAVi Sport & Social Club, and GripRx.  These past internships gave Peter a better sense of how to approach life after college and navigate his way into the professional world.

Nick Holmes
E04

Description: Sales are a create point of entry for new graduates looking to get into the sports business. In this episode, we spoke to Nick Holmes. Nick was a collegiate runner who helped pay his way through school working at running stores. He now heads up run specialty sales at Under Armour.

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Nick Holmes grew up in Bartonville, IL and started his journey in the sports world in Cross Country and Track in high school. At that same time he worked at the local running store(Running Central) and fell in love with Run Specialty and knew “I wanted to stay in the industry somehow.”

He continued his education and athletic career at the University of Iowa graduating in 2013 with a major in Psychology and minor in Human Relations. While attending and competing for the University,he worked at their local running shop, Running Wild until 2015. From there he moved to Naperville, ILto join Naperville Running Company, regarded as one of the best run specialty stores in the country.

He worked my way up to become a manager and was there for 3 years and also competed at the Olympic Trials in the marathon in 2016. In 2018 he joined In-Gear and independent sales rep firm and handled Under Armour, CEP, Clif Bar, Camelbak, Thule and others managing four different states.

At the end of that year a position of Sales Manager for Run Specialty opened up at Under Armour and Nick joined the team at UA. He has been there since January of 2019 with official title of Manager, Run Specialty Sales. Along the way he married Stephanie Holmes, who also works in the run space at Hoka and had a an awesome background in Cross Country/Track and Field.

They lived in Baltimore for 2 years and are currently in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin with our two pups Hank and Hershey.

Noah Rubin
E03

Description: In this Episode , Mark and I spoke to Noah Rubin. Noah used his family network to get started with a job at a sports trade association and moved on to a job at The San Jose Sharks. He just landed a major job in client services with the Washington Nationals.

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Noah Rubin originally comes from Northern Virginia, and grew up with a major passion for sports, specifically hockey and baseball. Attending the University of Delaware, and participating on the Division 2 hockey team, Noah found his passion for sports on the business side of things as he majored in Sport Management and Marketing. During his college years, he used his summers to participate in internships to learn more about the sport industry.

Noah spent time as an equipment manager for the UD Football Team, working with the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, Alliance Sport Marketing, and the Philadelphia Eagles, and eventually entering into the professional world working as a Ticket Sales Associate for the New Jersey Devils. After taking a jump to San Jose to work in Inside Sales, he was able to pursue his passion of customer service by working in the Client Development and Retention side of the Sharks organization. From there, Noah worked to continue to progress in his career to earn a position at the Washington Nationals as an Inside Service Manager."

Alex Hickey
E02

Description: Sports Gambling is a very hot topic at the moment and in this episode Mark and I spoke to Alex Hickey. Alex started with a sports marketing agency and networked her way to a job with Major League Soccer. She recently landed a job with Sports Bet in one of the hottest sectors in the business.

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Alexandra Hickey is a marketing professional with experience in sports and entertainment sponsorship and activation.She currently serves as marketing manager at PointsBet, an up-and-coming sports betting company, where she works to build overall brand awareness and increase customer acquisition by leveraging strategic media partnerships.  Prior to joining PointsBet, Alex spent close to three years at Major League Soccer, in Partnership Marketing. She managed, activated, and fulfilled key strategic partnerships with brands including adidas, Audi, BODYARMOR, Johnson&Johnson and MGM.

Alex began her career at a boutique Sponsorship Marketing and Activation agency in Manhattan, planning and executing activation strategies for brands including New York Life Insurance, Under Armour and Labatt Blue on local and national levels.Alex is a graduate from American University where she studied Strategic Communications and Marketing. She's a San Francisco Bay Area native and an avid sports fan.

Sean Wallis
E01

Description: In our inaugural episode we spoke to Sean Wallis. Sean left a first job in the financial sector to move into sports and has never looked back. He is now VP Corporate Sponsorships at Notre Dame.

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Based in Chicago, Sean oversees all partnership development and new business as a member of the Notre Dame Global Partnerships team.

Prior to joining Notre Dame Global Partnerships Sean was with W Partners, a boutique sales and marketing agency that secured over $500M in partnership revenue on behalf of the Cubs and Ricketts family as part of the restoration of historic Wrigley Field and its mixed retail and entertainment district development. In addition, Sean helped lead work securing large scale corporate partnerships on behalf of other client properties across the sports, entertainment, and culinary industries.Previously Sean spent time at The Marketing Arm in its sponsorship consulting group and at The Cambridge Group in strategy consulting.Sean earned both his Masters in Finance and Bachelors in Business Administration degrees from Washington University in St. Louis where he won two NCAA Division III basketball national championships.