The Sports PR Blog has a GREAT interview with Jim Loria, of the Sioux Falls Stampede today. Jim provides some GREAT advice for students aspiring to enter the sports industry job market, and be successful. Some of my favorite quotes:
"During my time in Washington, my Caps’ boss used to always preach to me that “I wouldn’t become ‘someone’ in my life until I totally understood how sales, marketing, community, promotions, special events, etc. , all intertwined and rely on each other to succeed!“"
"Spend time honing your writing and speaking skills without question. Learn how to get in front of larger groups, especially your peers, and speak. Communications is vital."
"On the flip side, you can have the most decorated resume in the world but if you can’t “smile”… “look someone in the eyes”… “effectively communicate”, than the resume is wasted. I don’t think I am off base by saying that with most employers today, your resume (or referral contact) can get you the interview, but it’s that first glimpse of you & the employer when you first meet that probably cinches half of the door opening up for you or staying closed. How you dress matters! Just like a meal at a restaurant. First time your eyes gaze on the look of the meal delivered by the wait staff member will make your taste buds ramp up or turn off."
What amazes me is that this advice is what SO many industry professionals share with up-and-comers, and yet, so many students seem to think they are above it, or that it's just a bunch of garbage.
A great quote from Jack Nicholas, that I usually put on my class syllabus: "I always practice as I intend to play." The point is, use your classes as a way to hone your skills for the real world. This means demonstrate a professional appearance and demeanor. Body language says a lot more than students realize, and when they sit in the classroom and look apathetic, doze, sit cross armed, those are subliminal messages that tell me they think they are better than this. They always say that in an interview or on the job, where it really "matters" they turn their game on. What they fail to realize is that behaviors frequently become habit, and you never know who might see you. In other words, there are some students I would gladly recommend for a job or internship, and others for which I would hesitate, based largely on their behavior in my classroom. How you practice translates to the big game. And in this industry, in this job market, students need to be more prepared than ever.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Sonny Vaccaro strikes again
My 6 loyal readers know how I feel about this topic, but here we go again...
The Sporting News is reporting today that Mississippi State University has retained the services of a lawyer that has experience dealing with other schools in times of crisis, pertaining to potential rules violations and NCAA inquiry.
Why?
Because Renardo Sydney is 6' 10", plays basketball, is under the advisement of Sonny Vaccaro and has committed to MSU, after previously making an oral commitment to USC. In the Sporting News report, Vaccaro "acknowledged that he gave the family $20,000 to help with the move (from Mississippi to California)."
On April 24th, I ranted about Vaccaro and this latest admit in The Sporting News sickens me even more. USC and UCLA allegedly rescinded offers to Sydney, because they claimed to be concerned about possible scrutiny into Sydney's story.
So, here we go again. Everyone knows Vaccaro is connected. The former shoe company executive just happens to have $20,000 lying around to help a kid and his family move halfway across the country? And there is nothing in it for him down the road? OK.
Vaccaro is not registered as an agent, but c'mon. Those of us around it know how basketball at this level works: The prominent and powerful AAU teams that circumvent regulation. The ways that runners work under the radar and launder money from different sources, not out of the goodness of their heart, to coincidentally help 6'10" teenagers who can shoot, but as an investment in a potentially greater windfall down the road.
Again, I understand maximizing opportunity, and I do not begrudge a teenager for taking the path that allows them to potentially change the lives financially of those closest to them, but I am first and foremost an educator, and reinforcing the concept that education is a red-headed step child compared to the glamour of fame, to impressionable, naive young people really gets to me.
And that is what is happening here. Again.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the percentage of American adults of all ages with a four-year bachelor's degree was estimated at 17.1 percent in a 2007 Census survey. And we all know what a great career you can typically have with a High School Diploma or GED on your wall. So, we stand by, and let people like Vaccaro continue to ride the wave of these promising, athletic children? And when their wave crashes, where are the Vaccaro's of the world? Certainly not with them. They are back out to sea looking for the next one.
The Sporting News is reporting today that Mississippi State University has retained the services of a lawyer that has experience dealing with other schools in times of crisis, pertaining to potential rules violations and NCAA inquiry.
Why?
Because Renardo Sydney is 6' 10", plays basketball, is under the advisement of Sonny Vaccaro and has committed to MSU, after previously making an oral commitment to USC. In the Sporting News report, Vaccaro "acknowledged that he gave the family $20,000 to help with the move (from Mississippi to California)."
On April 24th, I ranted about Vaccaro and this latest admit in The Sporting News sickens me even more. USC and UCLA allegedly rescinded offers to Sydney, because they claimed to be concerned about possible scrutiny into Sydney's story.
So, here we go again. Everyone knows Vaccaro is connected. The former shoe company executive just happens to have $20,000 lying around to help a kid and his family move halfway across the country? And there is nothing in it for him down the road? OK.
Vaccaro is not registered as an agent, but c'mon. Those of us around it know how basketball at this level works: The prominent and powerful AAU teams that circumvent regulation. The ways that runners work under the radar and launder money from different sources, not out of the goodness of their heart, to coincidentally help 6'10" teenagers who can shoot, but as an investment in a potentially greater windfall down the road.
Again, I understand maximizing opportunity, and I do not begrudge a teenager for taking the path that allows them to potentially change the lives financially of those closest to them, but I am first and foremost an educator, and reinforcing the concept that education is a red-headed step child compared to the glamour of fame, to impressionable, naive young people really gets to me.
And that is what is happening here. Again.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the percentage of American adults of all ages with a four-year bachelor's degree was estimated at 17.1 percent in a 2007 Census survey. And we all know what a great career you can typically have with a High School Diploma or GED on your wall. So, we stand by, and let people like Vaccaro continue to ride the wave of these promising, athletic children? And when their wave crashes, where are the Vaccaro's of the world? Certainly not with them. They are back out to sea looking for the next one.
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