Autumn Reflection

It is now time to scramble and finish all that is due for Autumn quarter. Thankfully I can say I feel like I am on the right track. Autumn quarter has been both challenging and rewarding. We, as a cohort had to adjust to schoolwork away from the classroom, all while working full time in our new internship sites. This challenge has given me better time management skills. Working 40 hours a week, all while trying to be a full-time student forces you to set your priorities and find ways to get things done.

I have learned quite a bit from this quarters classes. I learned the basics of both marketing and facilities. The readings, class discussions and guest speakers have given me a better sense of what those fields hold. I was able to explore how these fields work on their own, and together. All the information I learned will be useful in my career, but I belief the best experience from the class was the interview. I was given the challenge of interviewing for a position I had no experience in, convincing my interviewer that I was the best candidate! This is hard to do in any situation, but especially in one I feel I didn’t have all the experience I needed. Needless to say, I was happy with the way the interview went. I didn’t get the ”job” but felt like I walked away from the situation more confident in my interview skills and with a few words of wisdom from our very own marketing expert Greg Greene.

As far as my internship experience goes, I couldn’t be happier. If you would have asked me a couple weeks before the program what I would be doing this year, I would have said coaching at PLU. An opportunity arose where I had a spot with the University of Washington softball team as an intern. I took a risk and gave up a little more money, and a position of outfield coach at a fantastic university with a program on the rise. So needless to say I was a little nervous. I had no idea what to expect at UW, and prayed I wouldn’t be stuck in an office all day. Upon my arrival I sat down with the coaches and learned that they wanted me on the field, helping with practices. My schedule turned into helping in the office with softball operations during the day, and helping on the field in the afternoon. I have the 2009 NCAA coaching staff of the year mentoring me, and giving me all the experience I could have ever wanted. I am so excited for our season to start and to continually shape my coaching methods from the knowledge I receive from Coach Tarr and staff.

The biggest theme I see emerging throughout field is the importance of connections. It has been repeated throughout the program, intercollegiate athletics is all about who you know. I have been lucky enough to meet a good amount of people while at UW. I also am working for a coaching staff who believes in connections and who offers to help me meet other professionals this season. I also feel as if my previous athletic leadership experiences have led me to make connections with a good amount of professionals in various positions among athletics. I will continually look to keep these connections and build more.

It is now time to close the books on Autumn Quarter 2010 and look to Winter 2011 (that is after the paper is done of course!).

Festival Bid Reflection

The NCAA bid project proved to be a challenge. On top of the challenge of how best to incorporate the skills of every group member, we had the challenge of communicating and working from a distance. When normally you would meet once or twice a week in person to collaborate, our group meetings happened on facebook. In general, when group projects arise I tend to facilitate and ensure that each part of the project is being completed. The distance factor forced me to focus on my work, and trust that the other group members were getting their work done.

This challenge forced me to grow as a group member. I can now better give up control, and ensure trust in those around me. We were challenged, and at some points frustrated but eventually prevailed and successfully completed our project.

Secondly, the NCAA bid project allowed me to discover resources around the country that can positively impact the future of sport. Through the city of Columbus, GA and the other cities presented, it became apparent that there are resources throughout our country. The future of Sport is bright, if the amount of resources and community members fighting for athletics is any indication.

In conclusion, this project helped me to grow as a leader in athletics. First, it allowed me to go out of my comfort zone when it comes to group projects, and to learn to let go of control. Second, it opened my eyes to the resources we have available across the country.

Facility Enhancement Blog

This assignment helped me better understand the crossover of topics in intercollegiate athletics. When reading the directions, I first thought only of the facilities portion. What could I do to enhance my chosen facility? I came up with multiple ideas and was ready to place them on my paper. I then came upon the realization that I would also need to create an event as a way to market the updated facilities. This is where the crossover between facilities and marketing became apparent.

In every field in intercollegiate athletics there is crossover. A coach also does marketing; someone in academic assistance often times plays coach to help students develop. This is why developing intercollegiate athletic leaders who are well-rounded individuals is so important. The best way to get the facilities enhancement project completed is to have both facilities minded individuals, and marketing experts on the same team. Intercollegiate athletics is about teamwork right? It’s about teamwork on the field, teamwork in the offices and teamwork throughout the department. It takes many individuals different skills and talents to make something successful. Intercollegiate athletics is about being good in multiple roles, and working as a team.