USF Sport Management

Master

2009-12-16T13:52:00.000-08:00

Graduation is tomorrow! I have a lot to think about and be grateful for as a University of San Francisco Sport Management Master’s student. If you’re reading this, chances are you are either in the program yourself, about to be in the program, or considering applying to the program. Oh, or you’re my family! In any case, I’d like to leave you with a few things to think about...

As I prepare to exit the formal education phase of my life, for now, and enter a new phase of work-related learning, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for what this program has done for me, as well as with confidence due to some of the same reasons. When I began the USF Sport Management Master’s Program with my cohort (28) in January of 2008, the economy was fairly stable, certainly nowhere near its crumbling position later in 2008 or where it is now. We entered the past two years with optimism and energy, not thinking about how our status as Master’s students and degree candidates, and the skills gained in the process, would benefit us during this time of financial crisis. I have felt fortunate as a Master’s student to know that, while society may have been spinning out of control in the face of extreme financial hardship, I have been bettering myself as a student, to be a more able employee and person. While some around me were getting laid off and struggling to establish their next moves, I have felt free to explore my career options, through pursuing sport-related internships, to ensure that I apply myself toward a career that is a good fit for me, something I feel energetic about. We are graduating with advanced degrees at a time when the economy might be picking back up (fingers crossed). We are in a fantastic position when it comes to finding jobs that not only pay the bills, but that we love.

Some of my cohort-mates have even landed their dream jobs by taking advantage of the program’s internship focus, while others are well on track to achieving the same. I may not have landed my dream job – yet – but I am excited about my future. Exactly a month after our December 18^th graduation, I will be picking up and moving back out to the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center to fulfill a second, longer term as an intern. For five months, I am going to be working on “Leadership & Development,” helping to create and transform programs for leaders in the world of the Olympic Committees. I am grateful to the USOC for giving me this opportunity, and to the USF Sport Management Master’s Program and my past internship supervisors for helping to equip me with the experience and confidence I need to make the most of my career, immediately and beyond. I can think of no better outcome to my two years at USF in this program than the chance to pursue my dream of making a career out of serving amateur athletes. Being in the USF Sport Management Master’s Program afforded me the freedom to explore options I would not have otherwise had the fortune to experience.

A couple of lessons I have learned over the past two years that I really take to heart daily are to distinguish yourself and pay attention to details. With so many job-seekers out there today, I want to make sure I set myself apart from the rest. Whether this means picking up trash people have thrown on the ground at an event I'm helping with, or repeatedly plunging my frozen hand into a bucket of ice to retrieve a complimentary soda for a customer, or sending a thank-you note when the recipient might least expect it, I am going to do it. I am confident that my past and current performances as a student and as an employee, from undergraduate student worker to volunteer to intern to graduate assistant, are solid and support the individual I am today. In terms of detail, it is always valuable to check your work. Get another set of eyes if possible. You may not even notice or mind that the bullet points in your Power Point presentation sometimes end with a period and other times do not, but the executive board sitting on the other end of your professional performance may notice this and chalk it up to laziness or incompetence. I know we've all heard it countless times, but the little things really do matter. Now that I've said this, I fully expect for someone to chime in with a comment about my misuse of a comma or something similar. Bring it on! This blog can be edited...

Cohort 28 took our graduation photo last night just before our last class, and the room was filled with both anticipation as well as with a tinge of sadness. We are moving on to other endeavors, all of us, and we will miss the camaraderie we have shared for the past two years at this wonderful school in this beautiful city. I am proud of my cohort-mates, and thrilled to watch them and possibly work with some of them through their careers. Just to think that we all came in bright-eyed, open to the possibilities we could create for ourselves within the sport management world, and now we are emerging brighter and better for having gone through this journey. To Cohort 28: congratulations, you're all getting it done, and as our valedictorian Rachel so eloquently noted, we've grown together and fed the competitive fire with our efforts all along the way. See you on stage tomorrow!

I now pass the blog over to fellow Cohort 28 member Jennifer McMullen, who will be filling you in on all of her exciting work and travel experiences in the sport management professional world as a member of the creatives team at SportsMark. She is an excellent example of turning goals into reality. Good work, Jen! I have truly enjoyed sharing my adventures in education and professionalism via this blog. I am appreciative to the Sport Management Master's Program for allowing me to attempt to infect others in the sport management community with my enthusiasm for the program and for this field of work.

Goodbye folks.

Chicago post-bid part II

2009-11-16T18:21:00.000-08:00

Currently, I am enrolled in an elective on Event Management and Sponsorship through the USF Sport Management Program. As part of our curriculum, we are getting a chance to study Olympic Games bid documents and processes. With what I am learning about the bidding process through course readings and presentations, I have increased insight into certain aspects of Chicago 2016’s bid. Just as experiencing the sport management field through involvement in internships brings to life the theories and practices learned through program course study, having the chance recently to visit a city that was involved in the Olympic Games bidding process not too long ago provided me with the opportunity to witness, first-hand, Chicago’s position as a world-class city that feels worthy of the bid.

“It was really overwhelming before the vote – every business had a sign, and the city was covered in advertisements. Even later in the day after we lost the vote, it almost vanished. People hardly talked about it.” The “it” discussed here is Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games and the source of the comment is Chicago resident and DePaul University College of Law student Patrick Callahan. From his perspective, the presence of the Chicago 2016 bid disappeared, seemingly overnight. He attributes this very sudden decrease in visibility of the campaign to the idea that “the city was embarrassed to have lost and I think the biggest advocates of Chicago’s bid were confused…and couldn’t believe they lost.” My perception of the presence of the Chicago 2016 bid during my early-November visit was limited to a few Halloween costumes dedicated to the campaign and a lonely posting on a street lamp in the Lakeview neighborhood opposing the bid. Part of me wishes I had visited Chicago before the bid choice took place…witnessed the city alive in anticipation of a decision that would affect their lives for years to come.

Lucky for the city of Chicago’s residents, all is not irreconcilably lost. While Rio de Janeiro will work for the next seven years and beyond to host a successful and memorable Olympic Games, aspects of the legacy of the Chicago 2016 bid will live on. As a happy consequence of the bidding process, Chicago leaders are now aware of areas where change can and should take place. “The technical reviews of Chicago’s transportation, parks, hotels, crime statistics and other essentials forced Chicagoans to see this city as discriminating outsiders might…forced civic leaders to assess how Chicago’s most acute problems might be addressed,” (Greising, 2009, Chicago Tribune). The bid process had the effect of bringing to light areas that need attention.

In speaking with some Chicagoans during my recent stay in the windy city, two concerns regarding the bid came up that stuck out to me. First of all, residents were worried that, despite being guaranteed they would not experience increased sales tax due to the bid, Chicago 2016’s campaign would lead to inflation of their sales tax, which is currently at a rate of 10.25%. All ready the city with the highest sales tax in the country, Chicagoans are resistant to the idea of increasing taxes to support the Games. Second, locals were less than thrilled by the possibility that usage of the city’s rail system – the “L Train” – might be compromised during construction on the transportation system undertaken in anticipation of the Games.

These concerns permeate the rhetoric surrounding the bid despite Chicago Mayor Richard Daley insisting that “Tax money isn’t paying for it…We are very strong in that position” and declaring that the goal for the Games is to have them privately funded in total. (Smith, 2009, Chicago Tribune). In response to the concern over experiencing undesirable transportation conditions if the L Train, among other transportation systems in the city, is to undergo construction in preparation for the Games, some Chicago Transit Authority officials might argue that fixing problems with the L Train in time for the Games would simply serve to speed up a process that is necessary for modernization and increased efficiency of the rail system.

While we will not see the impact an Olympic Games in Chicago could have had on taxes and the L at this time, Chicago 2016 leaves at least two notable legacies behind. Chicago 2016 CEO Patrick Ryan is proud that “‘the area centered on the old Michael Reese Hospital site will become a vibrant new residential community’” and “‘World Sport Chicago will help get Chicago’s youth engaged in Olympic sports: water polo, badminton and the like, not just basketball and boxing’,” (Greising, 2009, Chicago Tribune). As the “Living Legacy” of Chicago 2016, World Sport Chicago will leave a lasting impression as a resource for the youth of the city to increase their involvement with sport. During my time as an intern with the U.S. Olympic Committee, I had the exciting opportunity to listen in on a meeting where USOC officials discussed the idea that Olympic athletes should determine, pre-Games, what legacy they would like to leave, decide for themselves how they would like to be remembered, and use this legacy to guide their behavior for the duration of the competition. Chicago 2016 considered their legacy and future impact of the bid process regardless of the IOC’s final choice.

Ultimately, while it may seem that the Chicago 2016 bid took part in a disappearing act, crucial components of the intended legacy of the Games will endure the bid decision. Chicago hero and principal Plan of Chicago author and visionary Daniel Burnham would likely be proud of Chicago 2016’s recent efforts. In putting together a competitive bid to host the Games, and planning to leave a legacy regardless of the ultimate selection, Chicago 2016 can be proud that they adhered to Burnham’s motto: “Make no small plans”. In the electric city that breathes with life, a chance to host the world’s largest sporting event may be yet to come.

Chicago post-bid part I

2009-11-01T20:49:00.000-08:00

As I write this, I am literally on a plane en route to a great city I have yet to lay eyes on - Chicago, Illinois. I've lived in Los Angeles, I've done the San Francisco thing, I've been to New York, Paris, London, Seattle, Washington D.C....I am excited to add Chicago to my list and enjoy some Halloween fun with good friends I am also very curious to see what the fuss is all about.

I have personally run across people who seem to have a cult-like affinity for Chicago. Barack Obama is a big fan, Oprah has hosted her wildly popular talk show there for twenty-three years, Kanye West boasts in his music about "Chi-Town," and, of particular importance to me and the sport management community, Chicago was recently not selected to host the Olympic Games in 2016. Despite efforts on the part of some of the aforementioned celebrities, the United States Olympic Committee, and the Chicago 2016 Organizing Committee, to name a few, Chicago's bid was denied, and the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was awarded the honor of hosting the world in the summer of 2016, after two other attempts to bring the Games to Rio in 2004 and 2012.

I am curious to see if there are remnants in the city of the hopes and dreams of those who focused a better part of their energy for years on putting together the bid to bring the Olympic Games to Chicago. I also hope to gain a sense of the attitude Chicagoans have toward the bid and gauge their feelings toward the outcome. I have, so far, heard mixed reviews. Will the weight of the loss be tangible to me? Will there be visible reminders of what could have been? The exploration begins as soon as I land, right after "Night at the Museum II"!

Sport Psych: The theory-application cycle

2009-09-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

I'm back in California, right in the thick of things with class and working part time at USF's Athletic Development office. My dad flew out to Colorado to join me for the 1200-mile trek back to the Bay Area. We arrived late on a Monday night and I began class that Wednesday. I am grateful for the enthusiastic approach to teaching of Professors Almy and Dallin who taught my most recent course, an elective on Sports and Sponsorship Marketing.

As I begin the Applied Sport Psychology elective with Dr. Jim Taylor, and look toward graduation this December, there is a lot to think about. Will I have a job when I graduate or soon after? Will I stay in California? Or will I get the opportunity to re-locate to Colorado Springs and further contribute to the USOC? I am certain that when graduation day comes December 18th, I will be ready...Ready to take on the application and interviewing process, ready to use my experience and knowledge to become an invaluable member of an effective team in the sport management field, ready to truly put to work what I have gained through the USF Sport Management program and my undergraduate education.

In the meantime, taking electives offered by the program is proving to be a great way to gain insight on subjects of particular interest to me for my career goals. I am excited to be learning as much as I can over the next few months before graduation so that I am confident in my skills and knowledge when I sell myself to potential employers. Sports and Sponsorship Marketing has increased my discerning eye for effective/ineffective marketing and sponsorship deals. At present I am delving into the psyche of athletes and coaches with Applied Sport Psychology.

Even after just one class with Dr. Taylor, I find myself intrigued by the course subject matter on multiple levels. I am reminded of my days as an athlete, and thinking about what tactics I employed to get race ready psychologically, either by way of my own doing, with urging on the part of my coaches, or upon the advice of my mother who is a professor of psychology. One of the techniques my novice year coach, William Zack, incorporated into our training program was the use of music as a way to enhance competitive intensity. According to Dr. Jim Taylor’s collaborative text with Gregory Wilson, Applying Sport Psychology, “Music has a profound emotional and physiological impact on people,” and can be used to help athletes “reach their optimal intensity,” for competition (Taylor & Wilson, 2005). UCLA Rowing Coach Zack brought this theory to life by carefully planning out a song to inspire our crew before each race. He gave particular attention to characteristics of the music he felt would best guide us in our rowing – lyrics, speed, rhythm – for that particular day. He then developed the message he wanted us to internalize by explaining how the song related to how we needed to row to be successful.

At the time, I don’t think I really understood the significance of his intentions in using this technique, but I can say I continued to use a version of this tactic to effectively guide my level of pre-race intensity in the right direction throughout my racing career. I am thrilled to be studying this and other sport psychology subjects. Applicability of these techniques does not stop once you step out of the boat, off of the court, or leave the arena, but extends into many life situations. I am confident that building upon my experience as an athlete by evaluating sport psychology techniques in a broader context will support my behavior in my career and beyond.

Taylor, J., & Wilson, G. (2005) Applying Sport Psychology, Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

Make it Work

2009-08-30T16:07:00.001-07:00

As fashion guru Tim Gunn repeatedly reminds us, it’s often important to “make it work.” Granted, Mr. Gunn is talking to design contestants on the popular show Project Runway about piecing together their garments, sizing, beading, zippers, sewing…but I like to draw upon this sage advice in several circumstances, albeit less fashion-related. When I found out I had been offered a coveted spot as an intern at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, I knew it would be a challenge to coordinate – with school, with work, with living commitments – but I knew I wanted badly to seize the opportunity and so I…made it work. I left both of my part-time jobs, abandoned my wonderful cohort (28) as they learned Sports Business Research from Professor Campbell, and informed my roommate that I’d be moving out of our awesome Inner Richmond abode. And now that I’m back from my Colorado Springs experience, I’m job-less, apartment-less, and I’m about to double my course load. It was so worth it! I want to urge others to pursue what they really want, even if the circumstances of the transition aren’t ideal.

During the last two weeks of my internship, I was asked to join two other interns in completing a special project. We happily agreed, and began work on designing a game-show-type power point presentation to be played by athletes headed to the Olympic Games. This project turned out to be equally challenging and rewarding. We had the chance to recruit a few amazing resident athletes to star in video clips that we later learned, through a process more difficult than anticipated, to embed in our presentation. The final result is a game to be played by three teams of elite athletes, educating them on the history of the Olympic Games and reinforcing the value of the ideals of the Olympic Movement. I am grateful for this experience, it encouraged me to be resourceful, work efficiently under pressure, and gave me the chance to interact with some of our nation’s heroes.

As if I hadn’t all ready packed enough learning and recreation into my first couple of months with the USOC, activities during my last few weeks were memorable and wrapped everything up wonderfully. I spent a few hours early one Saturday morning volunteering at the USA Triathlon National Junior Olympic Festival at Memorial Park near the training center grounds. Along with a couple of other interns, I did my best to direct traffic along the running component of the race. Split up into several categories, in total the participants ranged from seven years old to nineteen years of age, and they are astoundingly speedy. Witnessing their athletic accomplishment has motivated me to place competing in a triathlon on my list of goals. The event coordinator was an especially nice guy whose graciousness for the donation of our time was apparent.

This man, along with so many others, contributed to the best internship experience I can imagine for myself. I am fortunate to have met some fantastic hard-working and passionate employees who operate in and around the Olympic Movement, been part of great internship projects, experienced what Colorado Springs and surrounding areas have to offer and, above everything, gained a fresh perspective on the field of Sport Management. Not only do I feel the strongest sense of belonging I’ve had thus far, I am also greatly honored to have been given the chance of a lifetime – from my former employers, the USF Sport Management Master’s Program team, the support of my family and friends, and driven USOC family members – to make it work

Practice makes prepared

2009-07-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

I realize I am modifying the saying, but I am growing more certain that practice does not necessarily make “perfect”. I think practice more often leads to a result of feeling prepared as best you can be, and sometimes we come through with a perfect performance, but often other elements factor into this equation – luck, outside forces like timing, weather, other individuals upon whom your completed task is dependent. “Practice makes prepared” is an over-arching theme of my past few weeks in Colorado Springs, both in the office while performing my Development Division intern duties, and also outside of them, in my extracurricular life. I continue to see examples of practicing to move toward being prepared for anything.

Take, for example, a recent trip I made down the Arkansas River with several fellow interns. I realize I am using another water sport analogy, they’re just so darn effective! My boat, comprised of five women, decided we would be brave and face the rapids head-on. Every time our guide posed the question of whether we should take the “meat-line” or not, we answered with a resounding “yeah!” After facing several class four and five rapids along the meat-line, sometimes backwards, sometimes spinning out of control, our rafting guide informed us the remainder of the trip down the Royal Gorge would be tame. That didn’t turn out to be the case for three of us who subsequently got tossed from the raft and had to struggle against varying intensities of rapids, eddies, currents, and other on-coming rafts to reach safety. Here’s where preparedness comes into play. You would think that I would know exactly what to do in this situation, having listened to our guides outline safety procedures pre-launch (I promise I was paying attention!), and yet, as soon as I found myself caught between a cliff and on-coming rafts, my boat and crew nowhere in sight, and my nearest safety outlet on the opposite side of the surging river, I did not immediately recognize the appropriate course of action. Legs downstream, feet up, hands across chest? Or was it breaststroke toward your saviors? And how about that current keeping you from going anywhere at all? I was prepared, I knew my options, but a perfect reaction? I’d say mine was far from it. In fact, I even managed to hold on tightly to my paddle for most of the ordeal, but apparently, at a certain point, the safety of a human being does eclipse the importance of returning with that oh-so-precious piece of plastic.

Of this overall experience, I can honestly say it was epic and I’d happily do it again. There is only so much one can do to prepare for a situation like this one, and, for me, it came down to drawing upon what I knew I had been advised to do to get out of it, then putting the incident in its rightful place – as a tiny portion of a fantastic day out on the river. I am reminded of Professor Cellini’s “woe is me Olympics” advice given to us in our “Leadership and Critical Thinking in Sport Management” course, and it becomes clearer to me all the time just how appropriate it is. I wasn’t about to let an incident that left me shocked, breathless and a bit fearful ruin my day.

On the work-front, it does not always work out as planned, despite your forethought, and it is important to employ one of the other core values of the USOC: “Think Creatively”. With the Development Division at the U.S. Olympic Committee Training Center, a large part of our daily efforts go into cultivating current and prospective donors. It takes more than a handful of philanthropists who are inspired by the Olympic Movement to support Olympic and Paralympic athletes as they strive to compete against the best in the world. A tour we had been planning on hosting as a department for close to a month changed very last minute, and we did our best to adapt to the new situation. In this case, we were reminded that being over-prepared has its advantages. In the end, the tour was a success, our visitors enjoyed themselves, and the rain did not hinder our enthusiasm, nor our attentiveness. With some fast thinking, we were able to procure enough umbrellas to give to our visitors to prevent them from experiencing discomfort due to the weather. We also had the chance to bring our guests together with resident athletes at the training center who are preparing to compete in the sport of Modern Pentathlon at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. These athletes complete a rigorous series of events that includes fencing, swimming, running, shooting, and equestrian. I am used to the idea of committing to a sport and honing my skills in that one area, while these athletes are well-rounded enough to challenge other fierce competitors in five different sports.

In my efforts to make my wonderful internship experience as well-rounded as it can be, I have participated in some thrilling work, volunteer and extracurricular activities. Sunday morning I attacked “The Incline” in Manitou Springs for the second time since arriving in Colorado Springs. A steep stair-way made from wood that dauntingly rests against the side of a mountain and reaches a mile-high, the Incline is quite a challenge and source of competition for athletes and casual hikers who come from far and wide to experience it. An exhilarating climb with an average grade of 41%, where I posted my best time so far of forty minutes, the fastest recorded time is an unbelievable sixteen minutes and forty-two seconds. Accomplished by tri-athlete and CSOTC resident Mark Fretta, this is roughly two and a half times faster than I was able to ascend the climb!

In addition to hiking up the Incline at less than half of the speed achieved by Mark Fretta (my hero!), I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to watch the synchronized swimming junior national team during practice, volunteer as a “shot-counter” at the United States Association of Blind Athletes Goalball National Championships, attend “Olympic Day” at the complex and listen to athlete speakers from the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, go line dancing at a local establishment called “Cowboys,” watch the Triple-A baseball team from Colorado Springs– the Sky Sox – fall to the Fresno Grizzlies, help judges score gymnasts at the national qualifier, and volunteer at Community Day where locals were invited to spend a day at the complex and learn about the Olympic Movement, among other things. The internship experience here is truly incredible!

The past few weeks have been a whirl-wind. While planning is extremely valuable and not to be underestimated, sometimes anticipation can only get you so far and you must have the capacity to keep an open mind, consider the possibility of spontaneity and expect the unexpected. Upon returning to San Francisco to complete my Master’s in Sport Management, I am confident that skills I am learning to be more comfortable with now will definitely come into play. As Cellini has been known to say, “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.”

*Photo credit to Ingrid Klipp and Jeff Christlieb

"Operate in Games mode"

2009-06-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

It’s close to 100 degrees. We’ve been out on the water for almost an hour and a half. My nerves are about to get the best of me. And I’m not alone. I can sense the anxiety surging through the entire boat. My eight teammates and I are probably all running a similar commentary though our heads… “This is the PAC-10 Championship race…We were supposed to start at least thirty minutes ago…I’m tired…No, I’m okay…I have to go to the bathroom…Is this actually happening?…Where did the Clemson boat go?...How long will we have to wait for them?…C’mon, harness this nervous energy…You’re fine…You’re pumped…I’m fatigued…It’s SO hot.”

In May of 2007, my boat – the second varsity crew from UCLA – was expected to fly past the competition. We were the best that year, and we knew it. Just minutes before the start of the race another crew broke one of the riggers on their boat and shortly we heard an announcement that we would all wait for that crew to return to shore, get their rigger fixed, come back for a short warm up, then race. It might not seem like a major challenge, but when it’s near triple digits in Sacramento, the sun is mocking you with its energy-zapping rays, and the routine you and your crew have practiced years, one that you have down to the minute – to the stroke – is complete, and your nervousness is at just the right stage to channel into an all-out break-neck pace in hopes of winning the highest honor you and your teammates have ever accomplished, and you encounter any type of blip on the radar, it has the potential to be crushing.

But rarely, if ever, are we judged by our potential, by what we are capable of or what we are supposed to do, what we know we can accomplish. We are judged most often by our reaction, our results: we are our actions. Our character is not created by “unfairness” that we might face, or by what obstacles come our way. Action = character, and responding to a change in plans is something many find hard to deal with. As in the scenario of my rowing team, often life in the work place is equally unpredictable, especially in sports. A deadline you’re facing could get put on hold so that your efforts can be used to help your co-workers complete a team task that is of high importance. At the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs (CSOTC), a phrase that is often taken to heart is “Operate in Games mode.” Being ready for everything is highly valued. It’s important to stay alert and stand willing to tackle anything that may arise.

Thus far in my time as an intern with the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Development Division, headquartered at the CSOTC, I have adapted to this philosophy and seen its many benefits. It’s vital to realize that, as a division, we share common goals that need to be achieved regardless of any one person’s agenda. I am excited and honored to be part of this team that values hard work, communication, creativity, and unity. It takes each department working together, and the support of the entire U.S. Olympic Committee, to support our best and brightest athletes as they strive to compete at an elite level against fierce competition from all over the world.

Outside of my duties as an intern, being here in Colorado Springs at one of the meccas for excellence in the governance and practice of sport, has brought with it so many opportunities. In just over two short weeks, I have attended a meeting with Mr. Dick Schultz – former executive director of the NCAA and USOC, dined next to Michael Phelps at lunch in the athlete center, witnessed my first ever mini dust tornado, chatted with Lopez Lomong – the track athlete who carried our nation’s flag in the opening ceremonies for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing – volunteered for U.S. Paralympics to assist athletes with visual impairments, and escorted athletes to be tested for doping at the USA Boxing National Championships.

Amazing things happen here every day, and I am thrilled to be part of it. Please visit http://www.teamusa.org/ when you have a spare moment, to witness for yourself some of the exciting efforts currently underway leading up to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver next year and beyond—and I encourage you to make a contribution to support our U.S. athletes while you’re at it, because “together, we win!"

*Photo credit to Meredith Rosenbloom

Hello from Colorado Springs!

2009-06-08T15:15:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share my little corner of the world of sport management. As part of Cohort 28, I am fortunate enough to have the support of the Sport Management Master's Program at the University of San Francisco as I embark on a journey I have waited years to fulfill; the dream of experiencing life as an intern at the United States Olympic Committee Training Center in Colorado Springs. A Californian through-and-through, my new status as a temporary resident of Colorado is taking some adjusting. Things are different here! From being surrounded by majestic snowy peaks to backyards that run into yards of adjacent homes, Colorado is fascinating and beautiful. And while I miss my classmates and the city of San Francisco, I'm feeling refreshed with this new perspective and opportunity. The USOC is a busy and exciting place, and I will be sharing stories and insights soon. Stay tuned...