personal statement

Someone once said, "There are those who make things happen,
those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened."
I consider myself one of those rare people who really knows how to
"make things happen." I have gone from being a follower to being a
leader, from being someone who was shy and uncertain to a person who
is self-confident and assertive. It has been a remarkable metamorphosis,
and it has changed my future professional plans and personal goals.
The awakening of my independence happened during the end of
my softball season my freshman year in college when my head coach
had cut my scholarship because of lack of funding. I was faced with
making my first mature decision into what my future was to hold. The
following year I transferred to Thomas College hoping to play ball again
which did not materialize because there were not enough players
recruited to start the softball program. At Thomas College, I realized that
I was going to school for the wrong reason to play ball. The idea hit me
that being at Thomas College was not going to get me where I wanted to
go in life. I then transferred to the University of Charleston, where I am
presently. I wanted to pursue a sport management degree, while using
my athletic abilities to participate in softball. I have no regrets on the
decisions I have made, because I would never be the person I am today
or have met all of the key people along the way. Throughout my
college career, I have attempted to learn as much as possible about the
field of sports management through various work experiences with many
different types of sports organizations. Through my experiences with
people in a minor league baseball association, fitness club, public
relations department, athletic departments, and various recreation
centers, I have had the opportunity to develop and hone my
communication and public relation skills in several different areas. These
experiences have helped me gain a better understanding of my career
goals in the sports industry. In addition to the time spent out in the
field, my education at University of Charleston has further developed my

skills and knowledge of sports management, specifically in the areas of
marketing, promotions, public and media relations, and management. I
have also had the opportunity to be involved in various extracurricular
activities that have provided me with the skills and knowledge that I have
employed in my work experiences. Many concepts that I have learned
from these activities were not taught in the classroom, but were instilled
through practical experiences. As well, I feel being a participant in
athletics has helped me to grow both personally and professionally. The
variety of field experience, ranging from a minor league baseball
program to being a activities coordinator at a resort, to becoming a sports
information assistant to my university has given me a full perspective of
the broad spectrum of the sporting industry. I aspire to a career in
promotions in the sports industry because I enjoy meeting new people
and having the opportunity to participate in sports, but most importantly
the feeling of excitement I get right before a sports competition, is
comparable to the feeling I get working behind the scenes preparing for a
sporting event. I truly enjoy coordinating the events that lead up to the
main event. As I look toward my future in sports promotions/public
relations, I believe one of my greatest assets will be associating with
others. Presently with my position of sport information assistant, relations
with many varieties of groups of people (such as local media, acting as a
liaison between departments at the University, sponsors, fans, students,
and athletes) is extremely important in order to maintain effective
communication. Through meeting new people, I believe one learns more
about oneself, which ultimately helps one to understand and associate
with other people better. The people that have aspired me to apply to
Ohio University's Sports Administration program, have graduated from
OU. Working with and for, Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, Jeff Boals,
have helped me to understand where I can and could go by entering this
program. Also, two other employers that I have interned for are both

alumni of the graduate sport administration program at OU: Dr. Steven
Rader, a former athletic director and currently the coordinator of an
undergraduate sport management program, and Heath Brown, former
General Manager of the Charleston Alley Cats. I feel that Ohio University
will assist in giving me the tools to make my career happen; therefore, I
want the knowledge and experience I have gained through my classes,
practical and professional experiences, and involvement in athletics, to
secure me an interview. Through my interview and credentials, you will
see I can be a valuable asset to the Ohio University Sport Administration
program. I want to "make things happen" and I will.