Dallas Day 1

Welcome to Cowboys Stadium

Day 1 of Dallas


I have never experienced an architectural structure like that of today's tour of the Cowboys Stadium. Not only was the sheer size of the arena breath-taking, the small intricacies of each aspect of the stadium drew amazement from most students here. Led by "Shaq" our tour director for the day, we were allowed to walk through some of the most expensive and incredible rooms and areas for the Cowboys. 

Just look at this picture. There were no words to truly describe this tour. I'm not sure how we as a group of students will respond to the other stadiums oversees after we experienced something like this. 


Now this wasn't my first experience with a football stadium or team, as I worked for the Arizona Cardinals last summer as an intern. However, analyzing the small differences or similarities between my experience in Flagstaff, and how operations are handled here in Dallas showed me why I am on this trip. The experience last summer with the Cardinals, more than anything, was a humbling way of introducing me into sporting careers. Working at the bottom of the intern totem pole, I changed my way of thinking towards professional athletes. No longer was Larry Fitzgerald a god, he was simply someone I worked for, and could have conversations with here and there. And I think these experiences have made me appreciate those in the careers of sports from a professional and respectful view point. 

2 seconds of fame?

But I digress. The tour took us through the club suites, which you too can sell your life savings away for over 2 million dollars for 10 guaranteed years of Dallas Cowboys Football. It may seem like a horrible investment for many, but I'd like to know your opinion after a visit to this stadium. (One perk: pull-up parking right behind your suite which lies on the floor of the field. Oh and in addition to your floor suite, the first two rows of the stadium)

You can see the floor suites to the sides of the Star

Next we were able to see the Cheerleader's locker room and the Cowboy's locker room. On a trip with 30 men, and only 13 women I'm not sure which locker room was appreciated more. All I'll mention is the cheerleader's room had about 10 foot pictures...

But overall, the tour was a success and I found my interest broadening when it came to jobs in sports and how truly expansive the reach of sports is. And if it's as expansive as the TV that stretches from each 23 yard line, I think I'm going to find myself with quite a lot of options coming out of graduation.

Once again, thank you to all who made this possible. I am starting my three day networking event at the NACMA convention in Dallas tomorrow thru wednesday, and should be able to write at least once before I leave for London.

Tucson Bonding

The program has officially started and the first day has flown by. With 42 students i've found as the hours move forward, we grow closer. Most of the students are from all over the country, with various intentions for their futures in some aspect related to sports. Its nice to finally be around a group of motivated students who all share the same passions as I have acquired over my time here in Tucson. 

What have I done so far? Well, we met first at Eller, our business college down in Tucson for U of A for some prep. Here we were able to meet most students, and meet our faculty and staff. With us on the trip are Brent Seebohm, Dan Wickman, Jim McClean, and Mary O'Mahoney(?). All four of the staff are well experienced in the sports field, and I am excited to see how their networks will be able to assist me in discovering the internship I am seeking for next summer. 

Last night, 6/22, we were treated to seeing the Tucson Padres minor league baseball game against the Las Vegas 51's. Although the game was quite empty and one could tell attendance wasn't something usually high in the past, the game was a good first start for our program. Fitted with a bbq dinner, and our own concourse level, we started first connections and tried to enjoy the game. 

Tucson Padres Game

What was great to see was the potential behind many of the up and coming players at the game. Most students weren't interested in the game, but for myself to see some of the future players of the MLB, it was intriguing enough to watch most at-bats. 

Today, we started our true team building activities: the UA Rec Center's Rope Course. Situated southeast of campus, the rope course was outfitted with various obstacles that presented team challenges to the students. For the program, we are divided into 6 teams, with 7 members each. So, for the ropes course, the teams were out on the wires together working together to make it from one side to the next. By working together we were forced to interact with our team and begin forming bonds beyond our "hi, what's your name". 

UA Ropes Course

So now, I sit back at our hotel, overlooking the Tucson Skyline with the other students. We are staying at the JW Mariott Starr Pass hotel, and have enjoyed the rest of the day at the pool and at their beautiful patio. Tomorrow morning we leave for Dallas, and a tour of the house that Jerry built: the Dallas Cowboys Football Stadium. After tomorrow, we start our convention at the NACMA convention for collegiate athletic directors and those in the sports career fields. Full of great opportunities to network and navigate through potential useful contacts, I look forward to making my own mark. 

Initial Thoughts

Hello! Welcome to my blog for my summer program across the UK in search of my future in the sports industry. I will be updating this page as often as I can with my whereabouts and the amazing experiences that I will be embarking upon. 


From the moment I was a kid, sports has always fascinated me. It was never politicians or prominent figures that stood as heroes to myself, it was athletes. And as I have grown older, I have matured that fascination into something more passionate, more concrete to this world. 


Discovering what lies behind the intricate plays on the court, or the critical decisions every general manager has to make, or the marketing techniques for a worldwide sport; this is what inspires me now. The fascination remains, but in a way that can and will impact this world larger than my own ability to bounce a ball or throw a pigskin. I have a dream to be the man behind those tough decisions that can build and grow those same dreams for a kid that I once had.


And so now, I depart this Friday for 7 weeks to Europe to begin this dream of mine. During my time overseas I will be taking sports management classes, working various sporting events, meeting sports executives all the while paving the course of my future in this competitive business. Alongside me will be 42 other students and four teachers. I cannot wait to share with all of you this incredible trip and I encourage you to not only follow my blog, but in doing so, be inspired to follow your dreams. 


Before I end, I would like to thank everyone who helped make this possible. Over the past 6 months I have worked tirelessly to make my attendance on this program a reality. First, thank you to the following donors who have already made a huge difference in my life: Jean Grossman, Greg Byrne and Family, Steve Hilton, and Shiela Schwartz. Second, I would like to thank a family friend, Paula Hardison, who has taken me under her wing and helped with her unbelievable spirit and financial aid. I could not have done this without you. Third, I would like to thank the University of Arizona Alumni Association. I will touch on them more in my future posts, but for those of you who have graduated, or who are current Wildcats, this is an organization that can and will change your life. Their belief in my own self as a student and Wildcat has given me the undoubted supports of an alumni base across the world. Thank you.


And lastly, a huge thank you to both my mother, my grandparents, my uncle, and my sister. As a young boy, you did all you could to make my dream in sports a reality. Whether it was the training you supported me in, or the fact that you all never missed one of my basketball games, even while fighting your own battles; it has inspired me to reach farther than you could ever assist me with. To once again make this program and dream a tangible reality, its more than I could ever ask for. Thank you, and I Love You.


For those of you who want to know more about the program, please read the wonderful article just posted in UAnews! The program starts Friday and I look forward to my first update.


I'd also like to thank one of my best friends, and the future president of the United States, Stefani Jones for giving me the idea behind the title of my blog. Check out her trip to South Sudan!