Wednesday, December 9, 2009

It's December already? Where's the snow?!?

"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.
~ Groucho Marx


I look at my calendar and I find it hard to believe that it is already December. I can't believe that I am one final away from having my first semester as a DeVos student under my belt. I really cannot believe that in a week I will be heading back home to Missouri and when we come back, the class of 2010 will no longer be here. They will all be off starting exciting new internships and jobs and the DeVos office will be just a bit emptier. What I really find it hard to believe though is that it is really December and I am still wearing shorts outside.

I clearly remember what I was doing this time last year - I was getting ready to graduate from the University of Central Missouri. I was packing, I was Christmas shopping, and most importantly - I was finishing up my essay for my application to the DeVos program.

If you are hoping to become a member of the Class of 2012 (and I hope you will - the office is going to be a little too empty for my liking for the next eight months) then start thinking about those things now. Write your essay, proofread it, and then have one or two other people do the same. Go to teachers, former employers, and others and see if they would be willing to write you one of the three required letters of recommendation that you will need. And if you have not taken the GMAT yet - find a guidebook (I would suggest one that comes with a CD) or take a class and start studying and find a time to take that exam. And when you do take it - make sure that you send those scores down our way to Orlando.

This truly is a great program and I am looking most forward to getting to meet a lot of you as you interview in the coming semester and hopefully get to know you as you become a part of the DeVos Class of 2012. If you have questions or anything you are curious about - please do not hesitate to email us (devosprogram@gmail.com).

I have enjoyed my first semester in the DeVos program and am looking forward to the coming year as a student at the University of Central Florida. I hope that you will fill out an application and come interview with us in the hopes that you can have this same great experience that I have been so blessed to have.

Good luck on finals!
~ Devan

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Meet The Class 2011 - Rita


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.

Name: Rita D. Grayson

Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana

Undergraduate School & Major: Francis Marion University-Business Management

Past Sports Industry Experiences: NIFL (National Indoor Football League) Game Day Operations Intern/Administrative Assistant

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: Graduate Assistant National Consortium for Academics and Sports(NCAS); Orlando Magic Will Call; Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Maynard Evans High School

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: Highly recognized sports business management program in the world, ability to get two master degree’s which will broaden my opportunities in the job market, the values and culture of the DeVos program, and the DeVos program being headed by a racial pioneer, someone who sacrificed himself for others.

Future Career Ambitions: I am going to work in basketball operations, which will lead me to being an athletic director, and ultimately opening my own gym (academy) for the youth. Throughout each career, I will make a difference in the lives of our future.

If you could play a round of golf with any three sports figures (dead or alive, on the field or off) who would you choose and why? Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali, and John Wooden. All three of them were the epitome of hard work, commitment, and consistency, and I would like to play a sport that we all aren’t good at(Michael may have a few skills) because it will be about our mental ability rather than physical and because they have it mentally, it will challenge me to get it. I believe it would be a life changing experience.

Monday, November 16, 2009

DeVos in the Fast Lane

Hey everyone,

This is Kristin and I am a member of the DeVos Class of 2011. This past Tuesday our class took a much needed study break to visit the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. We had the chance to eat lunch in the sky suites and meet with the Diversity Affairs staff of NASCAR as well as members of the International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and Daytona International Speedway. All of these entities are working together to expand their market base by instilling strong diversity initiatives and implementing programs that show the organization’s commitment to inclusion. By touring campuses across the country to encourage the awareness of NASCAR and providing scholarships to students along the way illustrates what NASCAR is doing to reach the community and simultaneously, to expand their fan base. The International Speedway Corporation spoke to us about how they conduct market research to incorporate the emerging markets of women, youth, the military and diversity into sponsors and naming rights, which will broaden NASCAR’s fan base and will led to the overall success of NASCAR . We also found out that Daytona International is the biggest sports complex on the eastern seaboard with a capacity of about 200,000 people! That’s crazy. Not only were the speakers great, but we got some NASCAR swag! That’s always a plus :)

After our session with the NASCAR, Daytona, and ISC staff, we went the Daytona 500 Experience. It’s an interactive museum about the history of track and racing. Some of the class took a tram tour of the track where legendary drivers have made history. A slow tram doesn’t compare to the speed of those stock cars but slow or not, I can truly say that I have gone around the track at Daytona Speedway. To think that drivers go over 180mph with a 30 degree banking on the track is crazy! After the tour, some of us even got the chance to test our own high speed driving skills in a NASCAR simulator.

Overall, it was a fun, informative experience that drove us through the different paths that NASCAR, the ISC and the Daytona International speedway are taking to expand its market base and become best sport organization in the world. Often, when we think about sports employment opportunities, we may think about the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, or college sports; but to work at NASCAR would be a great opportunity. Yet again, the DeVos Program has opened yet another window of opportunity and has given us one more career choice to keep in mind.

Below are a few pictures from my very fun and informative day:

Me standing on top of the Sky Suites at Daytona Speedway, pretty cool huh?:



The awesome DeVos Class of 2011 in Victory Circle at Daytona Speedway:



Have a great week everyone!

- Kristin

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Meet The Class 2011 - Rodrigo



One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.

Name: Rodrigo Quintanar

Hometown: Mexico City

Undergraduate School & Major: Anahuac University

Past Sports Industry Experiences: None

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: National Consortium for Academics and Sport

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: As it is an excellent program not only focused on this business by itself but also in all the social improvements that can be done with the power of sports it gives me the best opportunity to perform well in the sports industry and finally to have success in my life.

Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences): Be the first non American employee with the NFL in a great financial or management position. Be able to change the ideology about sports industry in my country and to create a strong framework to provide better opportunities to Mexican student athletes than they barely have now.

If you could play a round of golf with any three sports figures (dead or alive, on the field or off) who would you choose and why? Steve Young, he is just my life idol, I admire him as a player and as a human being and I would love to meet him and be able to talk with him. Roger Goodell, he is simply the highest authority in the NFL and it’s a dream to me to have an opportunity to talk with him. Lorena Ochoa, she is the best Mexican athlete of all times and she is probably the best woman golfer of the world, I just think she is the right person to be in touch with in order to fix many of the actual problems we have as a nation regarding the sports business.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Seeing Past the Marble

"I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."
~ Michaelangelo Buonarrati


This past January I had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe and while visiting Rome, I thought about taking a day trip to Florence because I had always wanted to see Michaelangelo's Statue of David. Unfortunately, I was limited on time in Italy and I was told that if I were to go to Florence for a day, there was a chance that I might not even see the statue because of the length of those lines and the demand by thousands to see it daily.

In 1504, Michaelangelo said the above about his masterpiece after spending three years carving it from a block of marble. Earlier this morning, Floyd Keith (Executive Director of the Black Coaches and Administrators or BCA), told the story of Michaelangelo's carving to illustrate to my class what it means to have vision. Mr. Keith talked about his own career path and his own professional and relational goals and about the life that him and his wife have happily built together. The more I listened to Mr. Keith, the more I began to realize that my last 24 hours have had one consistent message - have vision. Everything and everyone that I have encountered over the past day have had that one thing in common - they have vision.

The last day has been a whirlwind for us DeVos Students as we have had our regular routine all sandwiched between two guest speakers and the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) Awards Banquet. The awards banquet was my favorite event that I have had an opportunity to be a part of in my short time as a student in the DeVos Program. The NCAS banquet was an opportunity to honor and recognize for using sport to make positive contributions in the lives of others that inspire us all.

"Sport belongs to us all"
~ Anita DeFrantz, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member & 2009 NCAS Hall of Fame inductee


Dr. Lapchick always likes to tell us that there is something about sport. Yesterday, Anita DeFrantz spoke to us from her experience as an Olympian (1976 Bronze Medalist in Montreal for rowing) and as an IOC member to make us realize that what is so great about sport is that it belongs to all of us. As she would put it, "it's our birthright". Anita is best remembered as a leader and advocate who challenged President Carter's right to boycott the 1980 summer games in Moscow. She argued that only an athlete should be able to determine whether or not they compete. The athletes lost their case and Ms. DeFrantz told us that the greatest tragedy of that boycott is that she and other Olympians had trained and worked and in the end, they were athletes without a result. Their training had meant nothing. Her advocacy did not go unnoticed though and eventually led to her being the first female Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee. This is surely a woman who had vision and has vision and I am better for having met her.

"Focus on your ability, not your disability. If you can do that, you can do anything."
~ Adam Bender, 2009 NCAS Giant Steps Award Winner


To have vision usually means to see something that no one else can. As Floyd Keith's example taught me, it's seeing the angel in the marble and having the courage to let it out. Take the story of Adam Bender because he is one remarkable young man. I encourage you to click on any of the links I have provided because you will be amazed by the people who were awarded last night. Adam Bender, as seen in the video, is a young boy who at a year of age, had one of his legs amputated. In spite of this, Adam found a way to participate in the sports he loved so much. He has been a stand-out in soccer, baseball, wrestling, and flag football and he has done what no one thought he would be able to do. For a nine-year old boy to defy all expectations and focus on his own abilities to accomplish great things - that is vision that I could only aspire to have.

"I could go to the Final Four; I could win a national championship, but doing this [working with Samaritan's Feet] is the greatest thing I could ever accomplish as a coach and person."
~ Coach Ron Hunter - IUPU-Indianapolis Head Coach & 2009 NCAS Giant Steps Award Winner



I also learned last night that vision means to have a voice and to do what you can with what you have. No one exemplifies this better than Coach Ron Hunter who when he heard about the need across the world for millions of children who do not have shoes, he began coaching basketball games barefoot and even organized shoe drives to provide children around the world with shoes. He has traveled throughout Africa and South America and other places around the world to give millions of children around the world their very first pairs of shoes and socks. This is a man who motivates me, this is a man who has vision.

And I could go on about the people who inspired me at last night's banquet such as Mallory Holtman and Elizabeth Wallace and the courage they showed in the now famous Central Washington vs. Western Oregon softball game. I could talk about the vision and strength it took for Jake Madonia to continue to compete in Division I shotput after having a baseball-sized tumor (and a toe) removed from his foot. I could talk about the vision that Sonny Hill still has for the youth of Philadelphia and the efforts that he has made to make the world a better place. And of course, who could ever overlook the vision that Kay Yow had for her basketball girls at NC State; she had a vision that helped her girls win basketball games (over 700) but also a vision that helped them to win in life (in 20 + years of coaching she graduated 98% of her players).

In these last 24 hours, I have learned the importance of vision and while I know this is long (which would not surprise any of my classmates) there is so much that could still be said about the amazing night that I had getting to hear the stories of all these great people. I am already looking forward to next year's NCAS banquet. As a student I am proud to be part of a program that not only works in partnership with NCAS but a program that encourages us to use sport to make a difference in the lives of others - just as everyone last night already has.

There is something about sport, it does belong to us all, and because of that we need to have a vision to be a positive force in this world. Through the awe-inspiring experience I have had over the past day, I have learned this above nothing else. In no other sports MBA program, or any other area of study, would I have had this experience to learn these lessons that will not only make me a better a professional, but will help me to be a better person. I hope you all have a great week!

See through the marble,

Devan

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Meet The Class 2011 - Jaclyn


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.

Name: Jaclyn Garris

Hometown: Vero Beach, FL

Undergraduate School & Major: Elon University and Leisure and Sport Management

Past Sports Industry Experiences: Elon University Game Operations and Ticketing Department (2 years), Boston Celtics- Intern in the Game Operations and Special Events Department (Summer 2007), National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA)-Intern (2008-2009)

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: Projects Manager Intern-ANNIKA Foundation

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: The DeVos Program combines practical business applications to the sports industry while providing a major emphasis on service and diversity. It has allowed me to return to my home state and attend a top 5 nationally ranked program.

Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences): I hope to work with the game of golf and combine my passion for the game with philanthropic ventures so that others may benefit from it as much as I have.

If you could play a round of golf with any three sports figures (dead or alive, on the field or off) whom would you choose and why? (Examples: Michael Jordan, David Stern, Pat Summit) I would love to play with Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam, and my father. Tiger and Annika are, in my opinion, the most dominant players on their respective tours. I have always looked up to both of them, not only for their on-course skills but also for their discipline, charitable nature, and business acumen. I will always have my dad as my playing partner as he is the one who taught me how to play and knows my game the best.

Meet The Class 2011 - Devan


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.

Name: Devan Dignan

Hometown: Grant City, MO

Undergraduate School & Major: THE University of Central Missouri (UCM); Speech Communication and Political Science

Past Sports Industry Experiences: Game Announcer, Clubhouse Manager, and Assistant General Manager for St. Joe Blacksnakes Minor League Baseball Club; Marketing and Promotions Intern for the UCM Office of Athletic Promotions; Guest and Premium Services for University of Central Florida (UCF) Athletics

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: Graduate Assistant for The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES), Graduate Assistant for Hope for Stanley Alliance

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: I was attracted to DeVos for a variety of reasons. I want to work in the sports industry and I wanted to go to a Top 5 program that offered a dual masters’, and while these are great reasons to choose DeVos those were only minor for me. The main reason I chose this program was because “there is something about sport” and I am excited to be in a program that recognizes that and not only understands the role of diversity and community engagement in sport but creates opportunities for the students to experience these things and how to use these things to make a lasting difference. That’s what excited me about DeVos and that is why I’m so excited to be a part of this program now.

Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences): I know that I want to work in professional sports (preferably NFL or MLB) and I have a variety of interests. I am not entirely sure exactly what I want to do but right now I am leaning toward Community Relations or Youth Engagement.

If you could play a round of golf with any three sports figures (dead or alive, on the field or off) who would you choose and why? (Examples: Michael Jordan, David Stern, Pat Summit)
This is a toughie but I would have to go with Kirby Puckett, Vince Lombardi, and Buck O’Neil. Kirby Puckett is my hands-down favorite baseball player ever and I really wish I had gotten the chance to meet him. Vince Lombardi would definitely have to be there because I feel like there is so much that I could learn from a guy like him, not just about football but about life in general – plus he was a pretty funny guy. And what can be said about Buck O’Neil – a lot of people don’t even know who he was but what that man did for the city of Kansas City, the sport of baseball, and for this country in general – especially in regard to integration and race relations – is unmatchable; he is without a doubt one of the most amazing people to have ever lived.

Monday, October 12, 2009

A Telling Silence

Like many of the students in my class, I am too young to remember watching the Berlin Wall fall; too young to have been aware of the launch of Desert Storm; and just about too young to recall Nelson Mandela's release from a South African prison and ensuing ascendency to that country's Presidency. While time explains why we did not recognize these momentous world events as they were happening, there is no excuse for our continued ignorance when it comes to understanding apartheid and how it has shaped the world we live in today.

Dr. Lapchick movingly spoke about his involvement in the worldwide sport ban against South Africa in response to the country's apartheid policies. If you have never read or heard about Dr. Lapchick's incredible resiliency and courage to stand up for justice, I suggest you start here in an article written by the late, great Ralph Wiley that captures all that Dr. Lapchick stood and still stands for in the fight for racial equality in sport and society. While we in the class have heard and been inspired by Dr. Lapchick's personal biography before, we were challenged today when Dr. Lapchick began his lecture with a simple question to the class. He asked, "tell me about apartheid."

The silence in the room was telling. While most of us had a very broad understanding that apartheid was a form of legalized segregation in South Africa for most of the 20th Century, none of us felt confident enough to expound upon Dr. Lapchick's simple question. Here we are, graduate level students in a program that preaches an understanding of the important diversity issues of our time, and none of us could talk about apartheid.

While others in the class may have differing opinions, I felt today's lecture was perhaps one of the most important classes I have had in my four semesters in the DeVos program. I consider myself pretty knowledgable on wordly affairs and current events, but for it to have taken this long to really sit down and open my mind up to understand what apartheid was and its larger cultural significance dumbfounds me.

Moving on from our rough start to class, we watched a brilliant documentary out of the United Kingdom entitled More Than Just A Game, based on this book of the same name by Chuck Korr and Marvin Close. Do yourself a favor today - read "More Than Just A Game", research some online about Nelson Mandela, or plan to go see this winter's Invictus, a new Clint Eastwood film about Mandela and his role in South Africa's hosting of the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Don't sit back and let the world pass you by, become more informed and aware of how history has shaped who and what we are today. This lesson was reinforced to me today more than ever. I always speak about how privileged I am to be a part of this program, but today reminded me just how fortunate I am to be in the company of a leader like Dr. Lapchick, who not only understands the history of sport, but has lived and made history himself.



It is one thing to talk of the importance of racial equality and using sport as a platform for social change; it is quite another to go out and do something about it. In order for our generation to go out and carry on the legacy of Dr. Lapchick, we must first recognize and truly value the need to understand history. When Dr. Lapchick speaks to crowds in their 40s or 50s, the crowd is almost always taken aback by the magnitude of Dr. Lapchick's mention that he was personally invited to Nelson Mandela's inauguration. When he makes the same statement to college crowds, Dr. Lapchick has said that these crowds generally fail to fully comprehend the enormity of that honor.

While we all have always admired and respected Dr. Lapchick and all that he has accomplished, after today, my classmates and I are no longer blind to Nelson Mandela's place in history and how sport helped bring an end to apartheid in South Africa. After today's class, we can begin to appreciate what that inauguration day in 1994 must have meant to Lapchick, Mandela, the people of South Africa, and the rest of the people around the world watching history unfold. Most important of all, today reminded us that we are no longer too young to see the world.

- Charlie

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Leadership - Not just something to wear on your sleeve

"A leader is someone who stands up for justice and doesn't block it's path."
~ Dr. Richard Lapchick


When I first arrived at UCF, one of the first things that my classmates and I received was a black DeVos Program polo and the first time that I wore this polo, I noticed that it said something on the sleeve -

Ethics. Diversity. Leadership. Community.

I have heard before of people who wore their hearts on their sleeves but never before had I worn a goal or mission statement on my sleeve; but that's exactly what I am doing when I wear that polo; I am making it known that I value the same ideals that this program values. In past weeks I have talked about Anucha Browne-Sanders and her ethics, my class and our diversity, and the community that exists within the DeVos Program as well as the communities that we seek to improve. And while again and again, my class has been exposed to great leaders, I just want to talk about what I have learned about leadership in the past week.

Last week, the DeVos Program had the privilege to host Stan Van Gundy, head coach of the NBA's Orlando Magic, in our Distinguished Speaker Series. For a long time, Stan Van Gundy has served as a great leader to the players he has coached on all levels and the past few years, he has served as a great leader in professional sports.

I greatly enjoyed getting to listen to Stan Van Gundy speak and getting to speak with him afterwards. It was refreshing to listen to someone who was so honest about the sports industry. Van Gundy has been a leader his whole life and the thing that he said that really stuck with me was,

"If you're gonna be a leader, you set the values you are looking for ... when you're leaders - you have that same responsibility."


What Stan Van Gundy understands about leadership is that leadership is not simply some title or "being in charge". Leadership is standing up for your values, making sure the right thing is done, and being a positive influence in the lives of those around you. I started with a definition for leadership that our director, Dr. Lapchick, always gives for leadership and I truly believe that Stan Van Gundy fully personifies those aspects. I believe that by any definiton, Coach Van Gundy is a great leader.

Coach Van Gundy also talked to our class about strength, tenacity, and the importance of always choosing responsibility over money when searching for a job. He told us, "never confuse fame and notoriety with importance" and made us understand that a title or people knowing you is never what makes you a leader. Strength is what makes you a leader. The strength to stand up for justice. The strength to never block it's path.

By any definition, Stan Van Gundy is a leader and I feel privileged to have met someone who exemplifies the goals and ideals of leadership that this great program sets forth.

"In anything you do, you're going to be a leader; if you're going to be a leader you have to have a vision and set the course."
~ Coach Stan Van Gundy


Have a great weekend everyone!
~ Devan

Friday, October 2, 2009

Dallas Trip

Earlier this month, the Class of 2010 took their turn to enjoy one of the greatest facets of the program, the second-year class trip. This year, we went to the Dallas-Fort Worth area to visit premiere sporting venues like the new home of the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium, understand all the workings of promoting and operating a Major League Soccer franchise at FC Dallas, listen to the career paths of highly accomplished program alumni and sport professionals in the Dallas area, and be inspired by motivational speakers like Bob Beaudine (if you haven't read the Power of Who, be sure to pick a copy as soon as possible, it may very well change the way you view your career and life).

We learned so much and networked with so many new sport business professionals that it would be unfair to try and recap everything we saw into a short blog format. Suffice it to say, the trip was terrific and we will take many memories from our time there. Here are a few photos in a blog picture essay of sorts that capture the great people we met and great times that were shared for 3 days in Dallas.

Charlie


The Three Amigos

Speakers on our distinguished panel

Our soccer stars with newest soccer, and FC Dallas Fan, Dr. Bill Sutton

The full group outside Arnold Palmer's historic Colonial Golf Course

Marketing Group for Dr. Sutton's class project enjoying the suite view at TCU Football game.

Students, alumni and industry leaders at networking dinner

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Meet The Class 2011 - Christina


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.


Name: Christina Li Russell

Hometown: St. Clair Shores, MI

Undergraduate School & Major: Central Michigan University – Sport Studies FIRE UP CHIPS!!!

Past Sports Industry Experiences: I worked for the Central Michigan Men’s Basketball Program as a Student Manager. I have also coached a High School freshmen Volleyball team.

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: I currently work for The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport.

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: I chose to only apply to the DeVos Sport Business Management Program because I
believe in the core values and goals that this program has to offer. Upholding ethical standards and using sport to improve society are values that I will focus on throughout my time in the program and in my career.

Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences): Currently I would like to work for a Professional Team on the community relations side of business. But the DeVos program opens your eyes to many careers I did not know was possible so I am open to other options.

If you could play a round of golf with any three sports figures (dead or alive, on the field or off) who would you choose and why?:

1. Arthur Ashe: aside from his pure athletic skill on the court, he was a force for political and social change in sport.
2. Muhammad Ali: greatest heavyweight boxing champ ever, who is in my opinion, unparalleled both in and out of the ring.
3. Billie Jean King: Phenomenal tennis player but most importantly an advocate for the women’s movement in sport against sexism.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Popular < Right

“Yeah I did, I don’t know man. UCF just seems like they’re trying to be different. I would probably stay in Florida if they [UCF] were like everyone else [other Sport Business Management graduate programs], but they just spend so much time trying to be different.”


Last fall, I sent out applications and resumes to a number of graduate programs with the hope of getting into a Sport Management MBA program. I will be honest and say that a year ago, I was not entirely sure of which program was the right fit for me, but I had narrowed down my list and I sent out my applications and allowed myself to become a part of that process.

Throughout February and March, I traveled all over, interviewing at different programs, and it was while on one of these trips that I met a kid from Florida. We were talking about where we had interviewed and when I asked him if he had interviewed at UCF, the aforementioned quote at the beginning of this post was his reply.

At the time, I was about 90% sure that I would choose UCF if they accepted me but I was not 100% sure – this person’s comments brought me the other 10%. You see, he had said his comments negatively but in his criticism there was a very profound shred of truth – UCF was different and that’s why I had to go there.

I remember when I was in 2nd grade there was this poster on the wall that said, “What is right isn’t always popular and what is popular isn’t always right”. In our conversation I realized that when this guy had said, “different” he was referring to the fact that DeVos had such a focus on diversity and ethics in sport. The more that I heard him criticize the program, the more I realized that these very ideals are the reason that I wanted to work in the sports industry – because I want to stand up for what is right and foster diversity in all aspects of life; especially sports. I feel that I have such an appreciation for diversity because it is not something that I have always been able to enjoy.

I come from a small town of 1000 people in Missouri. The population is predominantly (over 95%) white by race, Christian by religion, and middle class by economic standing. It was not until I was a freshman in college that I began to understand that there are so many people in this world that are different from me. Initially, when I first went to my undergrad I found myself shocked by the array of people that do exist and the number of ways in which we’re all different – age, race, sex, gender, religion, nationality, economic standing, and sexual orientation. However, I found that as time passed, I moved from a state of being shocked by other peoples’ differences to being tolerant of those differences to actually appreciating the ways in which we are all different.

And in a nutshell that is what I believe diversity is – the celebration of peoples’ differences. It is a chance for us to reflect on the richness of the human tapestry and be thankful for the many ways that we were made different. And while we have come a long way in terms of diversity in sport, there is still much ground to be covered. The directors of the DeVos Program (Dr. Richard Lapchick, Dr. Bill Sutton, and Dr. Keith Harrison) have made this their life’s work – to promote diversity and ethics in sport. As students, we have the opportunity to learn and work alongside them as we learn how we can positively impact the future of the sports industry. By having the privilege of being employed by the The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) I personally, have been able to contribute to the research behind the Race and Gender Report Cards (RGRC) that are issued for every collegiate and professional sport in this country every year. Several of my classmates and those who came before us, have contributed to report cards such as this and published books and articles about the issues of diversity in sport. Nowhere else would you have these opportunities or find this education.

While we spend a lot of time exploring diversity issues (through our classes, guest speakers, and trips) it is clear that this program does not only promote this virtue – but that we live it out as well. When I look at my class, I see an amalgam of everything that humanity has to offer. Our class has people of all genders and all races. We have people that have business and sports business backgrounds and we have math minors and political science majors. We have people that worked for years in the sports industry and we have people that have not ever completed any kind of sports internship. We have people from Kentucky, Florida, Nebraska, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Missouri, Michigan, New York, Massachusetts, New Zealand, Taiwan, and the Cherokee Indian Reservation (just to name a few). We have people from large cities, like Chicago and Boston, and universities and from small towns, like my own, and smaller schools. We have people of all racial, religious, educational, and financial backgrounds who are working together to not only get an MBA in Sport Management, but to figure out how to use that MBA to encourage business ethics and promote diversity in the field of sport.

What my acquaintance from Florida referred to as different, I call the right thing. I will even go a step further and call it the necessary thing. I find it hard to believe that any business education, sport or otherwise, can be complete if people do not recognize the role of diversity and ethics. There have been significant steps in sport - such as those taken by people like Jackie Robinson and Jim Thorpe and what we have been able to accomplish with Title IX - but there is still much work to be done.

There has to come a day where in one of humanity’s oldest traditions, competitive sport, we can use the array of differences that humanity has to offer as a point that brings us together, not one that drives us apart. There is just one race – human. The DeVos program recognizes this fact. Does that make us different? Perhaps. Is being different a bad thing though? Has anyone ever become the best by conforming to everyone else? Not at all.

When I talk about these things, I can’t help but remember that poster on the wall of my second grade class room:

“What is right isn’t always popular and what is popular isn’t always right.”

Be the change,

Devan

Sunday, September 20, 2009

What it means to have a living classroom

"You have a responsibility as leaders ... you have to have integrity. I wasn't willing to compromise myself to keep a job - I hope that's not you."
~ Anucha Browne Sanders


These are words that I am not likely to ever forget. Leadership has been defined on so many occasions and by so many people that it almost seems like a fluid concept. But as Anucha Browne Sanders spoke these words to the students of the DeVos class this past Friday, I realized that this was not some mere definition but that these words came from a woman whose story is the very definition of what it means to be a leader; to overcome odds; and to be the kind of moral beacon that the sports industry so desperately needs.

Anucha Browe is currently the Senior Athletic Director of Marketing for the University of Buffalo but is most famous for the sexual harassment lawsuit that she filed against Isaiah Thomas and Madison Square Garden back in 2006 after she was fired from the New York Knicks. She spoke to us about her unlikely career path, the importance of building a network, how to take advantage of opportunities, and the importance of ethics in the workplace.

As she spoke I understood how rare someone like Anucha Browne Sanders really is. The path that she has taken, the barriers that she overcame to become one of the senior most members of an NBA franchise being an African-American woman, and the moral fiber that she showed in standing up for herself and women in the workplace everywhere with the lawsuit that she brought against Isaiah Thomas and Madison Square Garden, are really nothing short of inspiring.

As I listened to her speak, I learned the importance of professionalism, corporate responsibility, integrity, and how far mutual respect can take you. And as I listened to her I realized how fortunate I am to be in a program like DeVos that presents a living classroom experience that allows us to have a speaker come in almost every Friday to teach us valuable life and professional lessons and then allow us to personally interact with those speakers. This week it was an opportunity to listen to and meet Anucha Browne Sanders and hear her story and next week it will be Otis Smith – the general manager of the Orlando Magic.

This is really what defines this program – not just an opportunity to grow academically, but the opportunity to grow together that will not only allow us to experience career success but to be better people, to be the moral face of whatever workplace we enter, and to always, always, always stand up for what is right. Nowhere else would I learn these lessons, nowhere else would I have this experience, and because of that there is nowhere else that I would rather be than a student in the DeVos Program here at UCF.

Have a great week!
Devan

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Meet the Class 2011 - Lavera


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.

Name: Lavera Morris

Hometown: Orlando, FL

Undergraduate School & Major: University of Kentucky-Kinesiology

Past Sports Industry Experiences: none

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: TIDES

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: The dual degrees, and the opportunities and activities that are provided in the program.

Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences): After graduation my short term plan is to become an A.D. at a small college. My long term plan is to open a fitness facility in an effort to decrease the obesity rates.

If you could play a round of golf with any three sports figures (dead or alive, on the field or off) who would you choose and why? I would chose Florence Griffith Joyner (Flo-Jo) because she was a great American sprinter and one of my inspirations when I first started running. Steve Prefontaine also because he was a great American runner and he is someone who is a very important figure to distance runners. Lastly I would chose Billie Jean King because I feel as if she had a instrumental part in why I am able to be a confident female athlete.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

More than a program - We're a family

“Huh? Sport business management? What’s that? What can you do with that?”

Since the fall of 2007 (when I first decided I wanted to pursue my Sport Business Management MBA) that has always been the response I have gotten when I tried to explain to friends and family “what I wanted to be when I grew up”. After two years of fielding that question while doing everything necessary to make that goal a reality – it is almost a surreal feeling that I am about to start my fourth week of classes in the DeVos Program.

These first four weeks have been a bit of a blur with so much going on and so many opportunities presenting themselves – at times it’s hard for me to sort out everything that I have already gotten to experience in just a short month. I only bring this up because I know that if time is flying for me, chances are it’s flying for you as well.

For many of you, you’re in the homestretch – you are studying up to take your GMAT, getting your resume together, and racking your brains about this admission essay; meanwhile you are trying to take advantage of every academic and professional opportunity that presents itself because you have been doing for some time exactly what I had to do.

You’re answering that question – you are trying to explain to people your passion and why you want to get into this program so badly. For some of you, you can straight up tell your parents that you one day want to be the President of the San Diego Chargers, the VP of Marketing for the PGA, the Athletic Director for USC, or the Marketing Director for Nike. Others of you are not sure exactly what you want to do but you know one thing – that you love sports, that you want to work in this industry, and [I hope] that you want to make a positive difference along the way.

In my case, a lot of my friends and family could not understand, and many of them, still do not understand exactly what I am studying or what my goals are – but it’s okay; because they see my passion for it and they support me in pursuing something that I absolutely love. My family does not necessarily like the fact that I am so far away – that I moved from rural Missouri to Orlando, Florida. Yet, they know that not only do I want to work in sports but I want to promote diversity and bring about social change. They understand that if these truly are my goals then the only program for me is the one here at the University of Central Florida.

I have been asked the questions, I am still being asked the questions, and sometimes it is hard to come up with an answer. I have been exactly where you are right now and I am telling you what my best of friends told me throughout this process – stay the course. If you are truly passionate about this program and what this program stands for then this is the place for you and I am excited for you to open this next chapter in your life.

I know what it is like for your friends and family to not understand the degree you are pursuing or why you worked long hours for little to no money in that summer sports internship but I am only four weeks in and I can tell you – it’s totally worth it. The reason that I know that it’s worth it; the reason that I have been able to make this transition; and the reason that I know that you can succeed in this program is because I know that when you choose to come to DeVos, you will be blessed with just as awesome as a class as I have already been.

When you choose DeVos you are not just choosing “another graduate program”, you are choosing something more than that – you are choosing to become a part of this family. I thought that when I first got down here that I was going to be intimidated because I was going to be surrounded by 28 other students in my class, many of whom got higher test scores than I did, or had better grades, or had more sport experience. I was a bit nervous because my undergraduate degrees were not business at all but when I got down here I realized that none of that really mattered – I had been chosen to be a part of the DeVos Class of 2011 and each and every one of us had been chosen for a specific reason.

You would think that the mindset among such a group of people would be one of competition – trying to get the best of the best jobs and opportunities. But the truth is we are one class, one team, and one family – we are all working together because we all have similar goals and the truth is – we need each other to accomplish whatever our individual goals may be.

I have only been around this group for a little over a month and I already know that I can go up to any one of my 28 classmates with a need and they are going to help me out. I know that they support my goals and dreams in the same way that I support theirs and the best part – I have a group of friends who doesn’t ask me, “sport business management? What’s that? What can you do with that?”; because they are along for the same exact ride that I am on.

It is amazing to be part of such a small close-knit group. It is incredible to know that I have that kind of support. And it is incredible to know that our class has three directors who will give us a more complete education about the sports industry than can be found anywhere else. We will learn about the business, marketing, and trends of the sports industry, but unlike other programs, we get the chance to learn about how to foster diversity and the ethics needed to succeed in the sports industry. These are lessons that are just as, if not more important, then the business aspects of the industry – and the only place that will teach you these lessons and give you such a holistic education is the DeVos program here at UCF.

I know that you are reading this blog because you have at least thought that this might be the right program for you. You are reading this because you want to be a part of the DeVos family. You have been working so hard – you did that internship, you are taking your GMAT, you worked hard to get the right grades, and I know at some point you have had to answer that question. You have had to explain to others why you are pursuing this degree and what exactly that degree is.

What is sports business management? Generally speaking, it is the application of business principles and practices to the sports industry. What can you do with it? Almost anything you want. You can have the opportunity to get that job you have always dreamed of having. You can promote diversity in a sports setting. You can bring about positive social change. Why DeVos? Because we’re more than a program, we’re a family. We’re a family that is dedicated to the ethics and diversity of sport. We’re a family that cares just as much about your professional goals as you do. We’re the family and we’re the program that can enable you to be the change. And Florida’s a pretty great place to live as well. :)

I know you’ve been working hard and I know you want to be apart of this program and trust me, your application due date, your interview, and your first week of classes will be here before you know it. Don't quit now - because trust me, everything that you are doing now and going through - it is absolutely worth it.

Keep up the hard work!

Devan

Friday, September 11, 2009

Meet the Class 2011 - David


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.

Name: David Benoit

Hometown: Boston, Ma

Undergraduate School & Major: University of Central Florida, Marketing

Past Sports Industry Experiences: UCF Athletics Sales & Service Account Executive. Auburn University Montgomery Assistant Intramurals Director

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: Central Florida Sports Commission Ticket Sales/Marketing Intern. The Institute of Diversity &Ethics in Sport Graduate Assistant

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: Its focus on ethics and diversity amongst one of the most dominating industry on the planet. Also, the ability to pursue 2 degrees.

Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences): I want to work in the front office of an NFL franchise or for the NFL itself.

If you could play a round of golf with any three sports figures (dead or alive, on the field or off) who would you choose and why? Joe Lapchick, Eddie Robinson, Jim Brown

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Meet the Class 2011 - Tarek


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.

Name: Tarek Chehab

Hometown: Daytona Beach, Florida

Undergraduate School & Major: Saint Leo University, Accounting

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: I am working on earning my Certification as a public accountant. I would love to work as a CPA for the sport/entertainment industry. My long term aspiration is to become a Chief Financial Officer of a Professional Sports team.

Future Career Ambitions: Where to begin? The stress on ethics and diversity are very important to me. Issues such as social and professional equality for women and minorities are pinnacle. The camaraderie of being in a family-type environment with small class sizes. The importance the DeVos program sets on giving back to the community. Lastly and certainly not least- the “living classroom” vision because, lets face it- there are a lot of things in the real world that cannot be taught in class.

If you could play a round of golf with any three sports figures (dead or alive, on the field or off) who would you choose and why: (1) Hakeem Olajuwon, in his 1993-1994 season he was the first player to be named NBA MVP, NBA Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Finals MVP in the same season. Even though he was a beast on the court he won me over as my favorite NBA player because of his off court humbleness. (2) Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer, this man is a coaching genius. Don’t believe me? Read his book - Urban's Way: Urban Meyer, the Florida Gators, and His Plan to Win. (3) Tiger Woods, it just would be weird for me not answer with the best golfer in the world with such an inquiry.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Meet the Class 2011 - Daniel


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.

Name: Daniel Caudy

Hometown: Hilton Head, South Carolina

Undergraduate School & Major: University of South Carolina. Bachelor of Science in Sport and Entertainment Management

Past Sports Industry Experiences: I have completed two internships to date. My first internship was with the Columbia Inferno. a minor league hockey team in the ECHL. My second internship was with the Compliance Office of the Georgia Tech Athletic Association in Atlanta, Georgia.

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: Graduate Assistantship with The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: I chose the DeVos program for several reasons. The fact that the program is highly regarded throughout the country and puts an emphasis on business principles as well as sport was a deciding factor. The emphasis the program places on ethics, diversity, and social change brought through sport were extremely important to me as I believe sport is a vehicle through which we can make a difference in society. The opportunity to work with a small, tight-knit group of people who share my interests for 16 months excited me. Lastly, the opportunity to learn from some of the world-class professors who lead this program made DeVos seem like the perfect place for me.

Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences): I have not completely decided what I want to do once I have completed the DeVos program. As of right now I have two ultimate goals: The Athletics Director for a BCS conference school, and the President/General Manager of a National Hockey League team. In the short term I hope to be gainfully employed by a BCS conference school, an NHL team, or the NCAA or NHL national offices.

Meet the Class 2011 - Natalie


One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.

Name: Natalie Welch

Hometown: Cherokee Indian Reservation, North Carolina

Undergraduate School & Major: The University of Tennessee, Bachelor's in Sport Management, minor in business

Past Sports Industry Experiences: Mainly fitness related, I've worked in 2 different fitness centers doing a little bit of everything. I also interned at the UT Thornton Athletics Student Life Center, working with student athletes progress towards degrees.

Current G.A. or Sports Industry Related Internship/Job: Graduate Assistant - The Institute for Diversity & Ethics in Sport

Future Career Ambitions (1 to 2 sentences): There are so many things I want to do in my career. I would love to work with a team or organization on fitness-related community outreach. I would also like to eventually open up my own fitness and sport related business. Another goal I have is obtain my doctorate degree so I can one day teach at the collegiate level and then establish a sport management program.

Reasons for Choosing the DeVos Program: So many reasons! The dual degree is an obvious reason. What really makes DeVos special is the focus on ethics, diversity, and simply making an impact on the sports world.

If you could play a round of golf with any three sports figures (dead or alive, on the field or off) who would you choose and why? I would have to choose Jim Thorpe because he was one of the greatest Native American athletes of all time and I would love to get his perspective from the good old days; Have to do Michael Jordan, the greatest!; Kathrine Switzer because she was the woman who challenged the all-male tradition of the Boston Marathon and became the first woman to officially run it.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Being the Change

Hey Everyone,

My name is Devan (or as my classmates call me – Digs) and I am stoked to have the opportunity to spend the next 16 months sharing my DeVos experience with all of you. Everything that has brought me to the point where I am a member of the Class of 2011 has been nothing short of one fantastic ride; but I know the real adventure is just about to begin.

I recently graduated from the University of Central Missouri (UCM) where I received a dual-bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and Political Science. While at UCM I participated in a number of student organizations and completed a number of internships and it was during the summer of 2007, while serving as the Assistant General Manager for a minor league sports team, that I realized that what I had always wanted to do and what I wanted to do now, more than ever, was work in the field of sports.

But to simply work in the sports industry was not and is not enough for me. No matter what field I work in, I have always wanted to be somewhere that I could make a difference; I wanted to be in a position where I could bring about social change and foster diversity. These have always been goals of mine and as I looked at sport management programs across the country – I found there was one that could not only provide me a top-notch education; but one that would support and encourage my other endeavors as well. I have always lived by Gandhi’s maxim of, “be the change you wish to see in the world” and since it’s inception, the DeVos program at UCF has done just that and in my first two weeks here, I have been fortunate enough to be apart of that change.

Last week, the DeVos classes of 2010 and 2011 went to New Orleans and spent a week rebuilding the Ninth Ward, which is still in ruin even four years after Hurricane Katrina. We spent the week doing a number of jobs which included insulating houses, hanging sheet rock, and painting. We did this in cooperation with Hope For Stanley and the St. Bernard Project (CNN’s Humanitarian Organization of the Year for 2008). Overall, it was an eye-opening trip that gave all of us the chance to truly give our time, our talents, and our energy to help rebuild a city that still desperately needs our help. This was the 22nd such trip by the DeVos program and there are already plans for at least two more this school year.

I cannot even begin to describe the emotions that such an experience stirred in me or to tell you the things I saw but I will tell you that it was one of the most meaningful weeks of my life. In the Ninth Ward, we saw devastation, we saw shortcomings, and we saw a disaster; but we also saw hope – we saw the heart of the city; we saw the spirit of New Orleans that assured me that the Big Easy will one day shine bigger and brighter than ever and to be a part of this rebuilding endeavor now and in the future is something that I am definitely looking forward to.

I came to DeVos because I do want to work in the sports industry, I do want to be successful; but more than anything – I want to make a difference; I want to be the change and sport is the best way to implement that change. Dr. Lapchick will often say that, “there’s something about sport” and he’s absolutely right. Sport unites us, sport brings us together, and in the case of New Orleans, sport has renewed the hope of an entire population, and sport is rebuilding that great city.

Last week I realized that more than ever DeVos is the place for me and I look forward to receiving a world-class education and using the influence of this industry to make a positive difference in the world. There is something about sport that transcends shoe contracts, web-gems, and multi-million dollar deals – there’s an opportunity to be that change. There are 29 of us in the class of 2011 who are here for that very reason and I’m excited to be a part of this class and to see what we will accomplish and how we will change the face of sport.

Until next week,

Devan

Monday, August 24, 2009

What We Did On Our Summer Vacation

With our last semester of classes now underway (woo-hoo!), I wanted to give you all a quick update on how the Class of 2010 has spent our time since the summer term ended.

The Intramural 5-on-5 Soccer team, led by a balanced scoring attack throughout the tournament, won the Summer Competitive League Championship with a 4-1 victory in the title game. This is the third championship won to-date by members of the 2010 class, with previous titles earned in baseball and women's basketball. In our downtime away from class, we found time for some relaxation, the celebration of several of our summer birthdays, and time home to see family and friends.

A group of 10 DeVos students made a week-long trip to Toronto and New York City. Based upon all of the stories and laughs that have been shared since this group got back to Florida, it is evident that a good time was had by all. Some highlights of the trip included visits to the home ballparks for the Blue Jays and Yankees, informational interviews at Madison Square Garden, Canadian theme parks and all of the notable NYC tourist attractions.

We concluded our summer vacation with a return trip to New Orleans to assist with Hope For Stanley in rebuilding homes in the Lower Ninth. Much of our time was spent working with the St. Bernard Project, an outstanding New Orelans based group that was honored this past year when its founder Liz McCarthy was named the CNN Hero of the Year. Our class did everything from installing insulation, hanging drywall, mold remediation, mudding, painting, sanding and perofrming the final touches on homes for residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina's devastation. Additionally, the DeVos Program welcomed the new Class of 2011 on their first trip to New Orleans. The new class is a great group and we look forward to getting to know them better and helping to set them up for success in our final months in DeVos. Expect to see new postings soon that will introduce the new class and detail their unique experiences as they begin their graduate studies.

That's all for now, back to the books. Take care and enjoy the day.

-Charlie



Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Summer Classes Will Make You Do Crazy Things


Last weekend, some of us from the 2010 class made our way down to Sebastian, Florida for an experience of a lifetime. The level of excitement increased during the hour and a half drive to the jump site. No one could sit still or stop talking about what was about to happen. You could see the anticipation in everyone’s eyes, well everyone but Dean, who in typical Dean style was sleeping. After arriving and filling out all the requisite paperwork, Alejandra, Ben, Dean, Nathalie, Nicole, Steve and I then waited for their chance to board the plane.

With just minutes remaining before takeoff, we were called over to be fitted with harnesses and briefed on the tandem jump. The briefing consisted of four short statements: cross your arms on your chest as you exit the plane, tilt your head back, bend at the waist and put your arms up you when your instructor taps you. After that quick crash course in skydiving, I and three others crammed into a small plane for takeoff. Looking out of the plane windows a few minutes after takeoff, it seemed like we were really high up. Then we found out that we were only half way up. With about two minutes until we reached our jump altitude of 13,500 feet, the instructors attached themselves to us and reemphasized the four statements we had heard on the ground.

Jump time! I was seated in the last position on the plane, therefore observing everyone make possibly their last decision in life, to jump or not to jump. Actions happened far more quickly then I could have imagined. A brief look down as I scooted along the bench towards the open door and Nicole and Steve were already off the plane. Ben was next and then me. In the one second I sat on the ledge of plane, legs dangling over the Florida Coast, my jump training came to me and I crossed my arms and tilted my head back.

Falling towards the ground with the whirling air engulfing you, complete freedom overcomes your body. Fear is not present as you reach a speed of 120 mph, twirling and twisting over amazing views of Florida. After falling 9,000 feet the parachute opens and every sound is silenced. The chaos and stimulation your body had just gone through is transformed in the snap of your fingers into perfect peace. After absorbing five minutes of breathtaking scenery while gently floating towards Earth, everything is restored to normal with a smooth slide landing on the ground.

The experience was remarkable for all seven of us. After the second group had completed their jump, none of us could stop smiling or recounting our individual experiences. Whether it was steering the parachute or going through a cloud during the freefall, everyone’s experience was unique. We are already planning another trip before graduation. After regrouping we headed to Woody’s for some barbeque and then we were off to Cocoa Beach to join up with more classmates for a day’s break from classes. The day was a true three headed monster; great weather, incredible jump, relaxing beach.

- Chris




Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Summer Class Blitz

A quick update on the Class of 2010. We've been keeping very busy this summer with four classes. The classes range from the final portion of our MBA core (Information Systems) to a leadership seminar led by Dr. Harrison. Additionally, our class had the choice of whether to take an events planning course with Dr. Harrison or a professional sales class led by Dr. Sutton and Dr. Gundy, as well as the choice between a pro sports seminar or independent college sports study.

Although the time commitment required to complete summer classes is undoubtedly taxing, we are learning some valuable lessons through projects that are applicable to the real-world. In addition to polishing up on our interview and business etiquette skills, we are working on an exciting t-shirt sales promotion with a professional sports franchise that requires us to work on every step of the process from initial design to final implementation. Meanwhile, several of our capstone sport marketing projects are starting to take shape and will come to full fruition in the coming weeks and months.

When the semester ends, we'll blog to let you know how some of our projects turned out. Until then, its back to the grind. Take care.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Help Raise Money For Hope For Stanley


As we have said on our blog and web site before, a major cornerstone of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is our involvement with the Hope For Stanley Foundation.

In addition to volunteering your time and effort with the rebuilding effort in New Orleans, you can help support this foundation and its cause with the simple click of a mouse. GoodSearch is a search engine portal that allows you to earn a penny to the charity of your choice for every search you make. This means, if you type in "NCAS" or "National Consortium for Academic and Sports", under the charity search, you can raise money for Hope For Stanley.

Additionally, GoodShop is its sister site that donates a percentage of your final purchase to your favorite charity. This includes popular e-commerce sites like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, eBay, iTunes, Target and Walmart among many others.

Thanks for helping raise money for Hope for Stanley!

Monday, April 6, 2009

One Month To Go

Hey Everyone,

Sorry for the infrequent posting, life as a Sport Business Management student has been genuinely hectic over the last month, although we would not have it any other way. Group projects are the core of what we are doing this semester, so I'll give you all a breakdown of some of the projects we are working on right now.

Marketing - The first half of the semester was all about learning theory in traditional lecture style, but for the second half our class has immersed themselves in an online simulation known as Markstrat. The Markstrat game affords teams of students the opportunity to promote, position and develop brands of products in a competition for highest profit margins and stock prices. We are down to the last two periods of online simulation before making our final presentations. My group has been lagging a bit in stock price (currently #4 of #5 in our industry) but our stock just went up 200 points last week so things are looking promising for the stretch run.

Management - Our class has been divided into groups of 4-5 people all semester to analyze the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) of many different companies through various case studies. For our group's last project, we took a field trip to meet management at a company and find out about their organizational structure first-hand. Lucky for our us our company was Wonderworks, an upside-down playhouse with all-you-can eat pizza and a magic show. Not a bad way to "research" a group project.

Diversity in Sport - We are juggling a few group projects right now in Dr. Harrison's class, from analyzing research articles, to forming our arguments for a class debate regarding whether college athletes should have to graduate before turning pro, to developing ideas for a Universal Orlando project initiative. These projects should be fun and keep us busy for this last month of classes.

Enjoy the Day!

Charlie

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Tournament Time

Be sure to check out the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports' latest studies released this week examining the Academic Progress and Graduation Rates of the teams selected for the Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments.

They can be found here and here on the TIDES web site.

Does your favorite team on the court make the grade in the classroom?

Thursday, February 12, 2009

DeVos Program Web Site


Attention Readers,

I wanted to post a quick clarification regarding our DeVos Sport Business Management Program Web Site. There are links to our old Web Site on search engines like Google and Yahoo, so I wanted to provide the link to our new and improved web site here.

On this page, you can find out all of the important information regarding our program and its mission, the leadership, students and how we are changing the world through sport.

For those who cannot click the link above, please post the following address in your browser.

http://web.bus.ucf.edu/sportbusiness/

Thanks!

Enjoy the Day,

Charlie

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Meet The Class of 2010 - Jessica



One of the unique attributes of the DeVos Sport Business Management Program is the network of students who make up our program. Our class will take every course together during our tenure here at UCF and we will work on countless group projects and collaborative efforts. As a result of our shared interests in the business of sport, a natural team camaraderie is formed. However, our team is composed of people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and ambitions. We offer profiles of class members to give you an idea as to the type of people who make up our program, individuals who collectively will be leaders in sport and society and will be teammates for life.


Name: Jessica Hanson
Hometown: Lexington, KY
Undergraduate College: Transylvania University
Undergraduate Major: Accounting
Background: I played 4 years of Basketball and 3 years of Tennis and served as the team captain for both my Junior and Senior years. I also had a summer internship with the American Volleyball Coaches Association where I helped develop the marketing plan for the 2007 Division 1 Championships.

Current G.A. Position or Industry Job: Graduate Assistant for the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES)

Future Career Goals: I’d love to work in college athletics. I’m not really sure where I’ll fit yet because I’d like to incorporate my accounting background, but working for the NCAA or an athletic conference is a possibility.

Reasons For Choosing DeVos: After my first visit to UCF and the DeVos program I knew this was the perfect place for me. The people are amazing and the Big 3 (Dr. Lapchick, Dr. Harrison, and Dr. Sutton) have incredible connections to every career area in sports. I was also drawn to the unique fact that the DeVos program focuses on diversity, giving back to the community, and making a real difference in the world through sports.