All Good Things Must Come To An End

Wow, I can't believe the time has actually come. The only thing that flashes through my head right now is sitting at orientation on July 9th with alumni and students of the program saying "enjoy the ride, it'll go fast". Boy, it went so fast!

Here's a little recap of how graduation went made by Stephen Ellis in my cohort:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kph0gLW_S9Y

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend graduation due to scheduling conflicts. Prior to the semester starting, the original graduation date was May 16th, but about halfway through the fall, USF decided to start school a week later making graduation on May 22. One of my childhood gymnastics teammates got married in Houston, Texas on the 23rd, making me have to pick between the two events.

As much as I wanted to see everyone in California, I ultimately chose to go to Houston because I had already agreed to be there on her special day. But lucky for me, my awesome coworkers helped me celebrate graduation here in Florida! So many of my classmates sent me pictures and texts making me feel like I was there! I still can't believe it's over.

If you haven't kept up with this blog from July 2013, and you're looking for a graduate program involving sports, USF is the place to go. It's the best decision I ever made, hands down. Learning from the best and being surrounded by the best people in San Francisco was absolutely irreplaceable. I was feeling pretty nostalgic reminiscing on my time in California and I wouldn't trade any of it for the world. I couldn't be thankful to be graduating with my with this amazing job in baseball and get this career for this crazy ride I get to call my life. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and everyone at USF. I couldn't have done it without you!!

Play Ball!

Spring Training has come and gone, it literally went by in a blink of an eye. Looking back, it's weird to the players were just reporting two months ago! I'm happy to say baseball is finally here.

With it being April, it's staring to set in that I'm going to graduate next month. As scary as it sounds, I'm sort of relieved! I can't believe how far I've come personally and professionally, but boy do I see the light. As cheesy and nerdy as it sounds, I have always enjoyed school. Going to class and learning something new has always been something I've enjoyed, every since I was a little one. But, After 22 months of grad school and 18 years of school in my life, I'm really excited to be done.

Especially working a full time job and even more than 40 hours, it's been somewhat difficult to balance school. At my previous jobs, I could squeeze an assignment in here or there, but working in baseball doesn't allow me to do that. Between video board graphics, press releases, interviews or creating game notes, I'm crunched on time. And then, I have my own game to work until about 10pm three to five days a week. I said it in my previous blogs and I'll say it again, taking online classes while working as the main media relations contact for a baseball team is really difficult. But in all honesty, I wouldn't change it for the world.

After spring training ended on April 2, I had a four day weekend before gearing up for the Florida State League (Advanced-A minor league). Since I haven't had time to do anything but watch baseball (not that I'm complaining), I convinced my coworker to go on a trip to watch more baseball! We debated on watching the end of spring training in Arizona, or go to Chicago for Opening Night at Wrigley. We picked the latter of the two, given we work for the Cardinals of course! 

That experience in itself was amazing, I kept pinching myself that I was actually there. It's just a cool reminder that I have a job in sports. In moments like these, I definitely realize how lucky I am.

Taking my weekend off from working baseball to go watch baseball may seem crazy, but it's a trip that makes you realize just how cool your job is (or being in sport in general). I may have not been working Opening Night at Wrigley, but seeing it as a spectator is just as amazing. Even though I was thinking about work and what they could have done better during each half inning break. 

With graduation coming up, I can't help but reflect on how much this program has helped me be where I want to be. This program has definitely set me up for success and I'm excited to see where my future is going.

Until next time... My last blog post!

Spring Training 2015; Grapefruit Edition

Last year, I visited the Cactus League in Arizona twice and they were both amazing trips. I met so many people and learned so much in the two weekends I was there. During those two weekends, I saw seven games in a span of five days and you could say I was in my own kind of heaven.

After talking to a few people about that weekend, they were somewhat surprised I wasn't sick of baseball yet. As I've posted in previous blogs, I then worked for an independent minor league team where I worked (mostly) everyday for three months. Still wasn't sick of baseball. As stated prior to this, I knew I wanted to work in baseball this year which is why I applied for so many jobs and was willing to move across the country to do so. Going into this job in Florida, I was so excited for spring training. All I could think about were my trips to Arizona last year and how much fun it would be. 

Now don't get me wrong, working a baseball game everyday in the month of March watching all of the big leaguers is more than an experience. But as a fan, the Cactus League is more 'fan friendly'. Mainly because all of the stadiums are so close together. In Florida, there's a few on the east coast, but most are 3 hours west on the other side of the state. So in my opinion, the Grapefruit league isn't considered a destination spot in comparison to Arizona.

But as far as Spring Training goes, I haven't done anything like this. Sure, everyone has had long work days, but I have worked everyday since February 16th and I don't get a day off until April 3rd. I'm exhausted just thinking about that first week or so of nonstop work. Now that I'm on week three of it, it's become more and more like a routine but there's still some unexpected curve balls in there (pun intended). During each game, I'm in charge of what goes on upstairs in the press box. I control the production of the game whether it's the stats, what is up on the video board, the PA announcer, etc.

But the crazy thing is, the game is the less stressful part. It's the preparation that can make your brain feel like mush - mainly because mine does now. The preparation to make all the graphics, have them in order and well as the videos is about two to three hours. On top of that, I'm writing weekly stories for a local newspaper, managing all the social media platforms, scheduling radio booths for the incoming broadcasts, and preparing for the Advanced-A season that starts April 9th. In other words, I really enjoy each day from 1:05pm to about 4:00, because I only have to focus on one thing.

The only downfall to working for two teams during spring training is the inability to see other spring training games. The closest one to Jupiter is in Port St. Lucie, which is about 45 minutes north of where I am, and the Mets have games at the same time as us. Every other park like I already said is two or more hours away. If I could, I would have toured all the parks by now, but I can't complain about working each game!

Since I'll be working for 53 days straight, it's been somewhat difficult trying to balance schoolwork, work, a social life, and maintaing a healthy lifestyle. I wake up extremely early to workout, then go to work, do (or try) schoolwork assignments and maybe hang out with friends. For school, I'm taking two online classes, an independent study with Dr. Cellini and an online class through another graduate program at USF. In the online class, I'm grouped with three other students, two in California and one in Chicago. The schoolwork isn't necessarily difficult, but it's more on the lines of communication since we're spread out through three different time zones. For a good three weeks, I was staying up until about 2am ET just to finish assignments or talk to my classmates on the west coast. I'm coming up on my last week of this class, so now it's about finishing my independent study with Dr. Cellini.

Until next time, here's a few pictures of spring training thus far!

Global Immersion Elective

Every two years or so, the Sport Management Program offers a unique elective that requires world travel. 2015 Destination? South Africa. Students within the program were given the ability to travel to South Africa for 10 days in replace of a 6 week elective class. Flights and expenses were not included within tuition, this was extra.

I was originally scheduled to go, but the move to Florida hindered that. Fortunately for me, I lived vicariously through my classmates as the updated their social media platforms daily! After the trip, I asked a few that went on the trip a few questions.

1. What was the most interesting part of the trip?

Amanda - The most interesting part would be learning about the people, the culture and the traditions of South Africa. Getting to experience it through everything from volunteering with orphans to watching our first cricket match in the SA Cricket Associations luxury box. Living what we learn is so beneficial!

Nate - The most interesting part of the trip was not sports related. It was seeing how South Africa is moving forward as a very new country that includes all races "equally". The prevailing income disparity and the juxtaposition of rich (mainly white) neighborhoods within a few miles of extremely (mainly black) poor townships was incredibly eye-opening to witness first hand.

Alyssa - The most interesting part of the trip was spending time with some of the orphans from an orphanage in Soweto. We took them to a local park and played soccer, cricket, and had a picnic. It was fascinating to be able to get to know some of these kids. They are all full of life and so appreciative of the little things in life. I think it was a special experience for us all.

Maddie - The trip was very interesting from day one till we left. But seeing how different South Africa is compared to other countries with cultures, race, economy was very interesting. Seeing how the apartheid has formed the country was extremely interesting.

2. What differs in sport in South Africa compared to USA?

Amanda - Sports differ quite a bit in South Africa. There are only really three main sports and they are separated sometimes by race and or economic differences. Also, the business side of things differs because some areas have less advancement or infrastructure/regulations than the United States so people are challenged to be more creative. 

Nate - The main difference in sport in my opinion is the older technology in South Africa, and the problems they continue to have with filling stadium attendance. Attendance is not as much of a problem in the US, and our technology is on the forefront of the world.

Alyssa - Sport in South Africa is much more behind in development than in the USA. For example, Loftus Field will soon be adding WiFi into their stadium--making them the only sporting venue in the country to have WiFi. At the Witswatersrand (WITS) College, the athletic department personnel we spoke with were taking notes from us and our experiences on how to develop the sport teams and interest around their athletic programs. At SuperSport, there was a man in the production area of the company running about 3 different things at once during their show. Compared to ESPN here in the States, their employee count is far much lower at SuperSport. Social media is also now just making a stride into the sport world in South Africa.

Maddie - They are so many years behind in sport,the infrastructure is not getting utilize enough after the World Cup. And there is many people (especially children) that are never going to get the same opportunities as us in the states. 

3. How do you hope to use your international knowledge with future sport endeavors

Amanda - I won't assume things. I guess I thought that business was the same all around the world, but i learned there are big differences so moving forward I might not just assume things are a certain way - I will take the time to challenge the norm and do something different. 

Nate - What this trip helped to teach me is how sport and education can be related on a much needed level. Working with non profits in South Africa that intertwined soccer and HIV Aids education, for example, or soccer with messages of a strong community and the need to stay in school, it was really inspiring. Although those types of job will probably pay significantly less than an average job in the sport industry, it would be so fulfilling to help make a difference like that.

Alyssa - This experience definitely opened my eyes to a much more broader spectrum of the sport world. I hope to be able to spend more time traveling outside of the US and working on development projects for certain industries within sport in these other countries. We learned a lot about the mega-event impacts to a country, specifically South Africa hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2010--so I hope to be able to expand on that knowledge in the future if I ever get a chance to work for a mega-event such as FIFA or the Olympics.

Maddie - Getting to understand how the sport there will be very beneficial, South Africa is a big country with huge potential. And with them being part of the British take over for several decades ago, they have many of the same sports as Europe, so for me that is a plus.

Here's a link to all the pictures the group took during their trip! https://www.flickr.com/groups/2787192@N23/pool/

3,074 Mile Journey

First and foremost, Happy New Year and Martin Luther King Jr. Day everyone! I hope you had a wonderful holiday before the back to school and/or work rush. My new year was spent in the car, which could explain the title of this blog post.

If familiar with my postings, you could probably pick up that I can be a bit of a workaholic with a passion and love for baseball. Between my spring training trips, summer trip with my dad and working with a minor league team last season, the love for baseball has yet to die. 

After a year and a few months into this program, each turn on my career path has directed me to the position I recently accepted. Knowing baseball started in late March, or the beginning if you want to include Spring Training, I had my sights set on landing a position this upcoming season. With that, I began to network with any and every person I already knew in the industry as well as reaching out even further. I sent out random e-mails and cold called those in positions I hoped to eventually have. 

Towards the end of September, I began to apply to any media related position with baseball I saw. Whether it was at the lowest level of the minor leagues or at the top in the majors, I applied. I applied for positions I was overqualified for and under qualified, just to put myself out there. Most job postings I saw were through PBEO.com (professional baseball employment opportunities) or team websites. 

Within the first few weeks of October, I started to hear back from teams and interviewed for certain positions, but a lot of their job descriptions ended up seeming right for me. Nothing was standing out until the end of October. Around then, I interviewed and was offered a position with Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. Roger Dean is a 13 field complex within the Grapefruit League of Spring Training, playing host to the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins. It's the only stadium to host two teams during spring training. Once the MLB teams go back to their hometowns at the end of March, the Advanced-A teams of the Cardinals (Palm Beach Cardinals) and Marlins (Jupiter Hammerheads) call Roger Dean home in the Florida State League. The teams alternate throughout the year, making it the busiest minor league park in the country. Knowing all this information, I was a bit enticed.

After a weekend of thinking about the job offer, I decided to accept. On January 5th, I stepped into the role as the media representative for the Palm Beach Cardinals. This means I am in charge of all social media accounts, the MiLB website, managing the press box during games, writing game recaps and much more.

Prior to moving across the country, I was able to sort out the rest of my classes out to where I can finish the program online and still graduate in May. With where I am in the program, I need 6 credit hours of electives to complete my degree. As mentioned in previous posts, if an opportunity outside of the Bay Area is within reach, the Sport Management department will do everything in it's power to help you balance your schoolwork. Being told the information on orientation night back on July 9, 2013, I've always had in the back of my mind.

Fast forward to today, I've been working at Roger Dean for two full weeks. It's been such a blast and everything I could have wanted. Having the support of the USF program that allows me to finish my degree while I venture off on my own means the world to me. I honestly think I wouldn't be able to do this anywhere else.

So from here on out, I'll be blogging from the east coast! Be sure to follow the updates that I'll be doing about the Palm Beach Cardinals on Facebook and Twitter (@GoPBCardinals). 

Until next time, check out these pictures and article about Roger Dean!

Outside of the stadium

View from my desk

http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140207&content_id=67504122&fext=.jsp&vkey=min_bus&sid=milb