The Work in Sports Podcast - Insider Advice for Sports Careers

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Does Your Choice of College Determine Your Success? Work in Sports Podcast Mar 11, 2019

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Where you choose to go to school is extremely important, but does it determine your career success? We investigate. Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast.I’ll admit March Madness kind of snuck up on me this year. I was trying to book a guest for the show and her publicist said: “She’s at the conference tournament all next week and then on the March madness – can we wait until after that?”Of course, I played it off, sure sure sure, but in my head, I was thinking…wait we’re in March already?Then we sprung forward our clocks last night, so when I got up with my daughter this morning to take her to school it was pitch black… I’m all out of whack.Tangent.I’m a weirdo, so I decided to read a bunch of articles on this history purpose and intention of the daylight savings shift.I’ve always thought that it was related to farming, more daylight hours for the farmers, which if you think about it makes no sense because farmers can regulate their schedule based on available sunlight, not what the clocks say… it’s not like they punch in and punch out, and furthermore, it’s not like changing the time on the clock provides more sunlight… it just hits at a different time of day.Anyway – I’m enjoying this tangent so I’m going to continue. Fact: people are more active in the daylight, which means they spend more money. Adding the hour of daylight to the evening, versus the morning, dramatically increases consumer spending.To tie this into sports – way back in 1986, when even I was only in 6th grade - the golf industry argued that an extra month of daylight savings would increase their revenue by 200-400 million per year – just one month! Adjusted for today’s economy that’s 450 to 900 million for one month of daylight savings!You’ll hear people share that it was a move to reduce energy consumption – the theory being people awake during the time of most daylight would result in fewer lights being turned on etc. …but over time that has been debunked.A Yale economist found that there was actually a 1% increase in energy consumption when Indiana switched to daylight savings time statewide in 2006 - estimating a cost of $9 millionI guess Ben Franklin forgot to include air conditioning in his economic forecasts.How’s that for a tangent this Monday morning! Nothing wrong with being curious about things that aren’t just sports.Alright on to today’s question ---Daniel from New Hampshire –“Hi Brian – big fan of your podcast, I’m a high school junior and our entire athletic department and all of my friends listen as often as we can. I’m starting to narrow the field for my coming college decisions, I want to major in sports management, and pursue a career in Major League Baseball. What suggestions do you have for this process and how I should go about it?”Daniel, great question, in fact, I get this one about once or twice a week, so it feels like a good time to have this conversation again.For all of you who are already in college, or grad school, or out of school – there are parts of this conversation that will be extremely relevant to you as well, so don’t tune out. For those of you with education decisions still ahead of you… buckle up and listen.A little history lesson to start. When I want to college in the early ’90s there was really no such thing as a Sports Management degree. There were business and management courses, but nothing with a focus on sports.In fact, between 1980-2010, the number of undergraduate sports management programs grew from just three in the U.S…. to over 300.I just did some quick research on our sister site DegreesinSports.com and they have over 600 sports-related bachelors and graduate programs.Why the growth?Because these programs are exciting, fun and drew in lots and lots of applicants. More applicants, more revenue.Remember this in life --- follow the money. That is generally going to lead you to the answer you seek whether it’s daylight savings ...

Dior Ginyard: Senior Player Manager, NFLPA – Work in Sports podcast Mar 06, 2019

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Dior Ginyard, NFLPA Senior Player Manager joins the Work in Sports podcast! Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast.Imagine for a second you had complete clarity in your life at let’s say 12 years old.You knew what you wanted, you wanted to be a veterinarian. You studied, took classes, interned – worked and worked and worked to refine your craft.It became a big part of you, it defined you.While in high school your friends knew you wanted to be a veterinarian, your teachers knew and helped push you further into your goals.Guidance counselors helped steer you toward the best veterinary schools and you were accepted – because you were focused, dedicated, knew what you wanted and were driven to succeed.You could see how your future was going to play out.But then in a blink things changed. You were in a car accident and lost the use of your right hand, your dominant hand.You wouldn’t be able to perform surgical procedures, examine animals, diagnose issues. It was gone. Your dream of being a veterinarian – poof - all gone.What would you do? Everything you had pushed for, the dominant focus of your life was now physically unachievable.Would you wallow? Get depressed? Question your future?Probably all of those things – I know I would. Recalibrating would be hard. You’d be forced to change in an instant, after spending nearly a decade working toward something that felt like your purpose.How unfair – right? Easy to blame, get angry, lose focus and fall into a trap. Very easy.This week’s guest Dior Ginyard didn’t want to be a veterinarian, he had a very different dream and it was taken from him tragically.He had to change his focus, figure out a new purpose and drive forward with the same intensity he had reserved for his now unattainable dream.Now years later, Dior Ginyard is a Player Manager for the NFLPA and a 2018 Forbes Magazine 30 under 30 award recipient. He took tragedy and turned it into a new, unexpected chapter… but let’s hear the rest from the man himself – here’s Dior Ginyard Player Manager for the NFLPA –

It’s About Relationships People! Work in Sports podcast e161 Mar 04, 2019

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Relationships are the gear that turns the engine in everything you do...but not enough people are focused on them, and the repercussions are immense.Hi everybody I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content of WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…Wow, what a week. We’ll get more into the details of what was a crazy last week in a little bit. But first, the normal flow of the Monday shows is pretty simple, I read through the myriad of fan questions that come in either through my LinkedIn, our private facebook group, direct email – however you want to get your questions to me, I listen and I read them all.I pick one out to focus in on that I think will appeal to the greatest number of listeners. So if I don’t read your question that is super specific to your situation, it’s generally because I’m trying to create content that helps everyone. Most of these question I answer personally, just maybe not on the show.The people who send in questions and have them read on the show get a free month at our site WorkinSports.com the number 1 job board for the sports industry for the last two decades.Right now we have near 11,000 active sports jobs – just checking some of the most recent postings –I see a video producer for a regional sports network…Communications coordinator for an NFL team…senior analysts for a popular online sports site…a baseball marketing intern for a sporting goods company who I never realized was based in Chicago… huh, learned something new.Anyway, I wanted to set the stage for what our Monday shows are… because I’m not doing that today.I make an effort to read a lot. Not just sports stuff and not just headlines, politics, news, science, Pulitzer prize winning books about three generations of a Greek-American family in Detroit with a deep family secret…it’s called Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides and it’s incredible storytelling.I think reading makes me a better writer and communicator and introduces me to thoughts and point of views that need considering. So often when I scan through my favorite sports sites, I’m the guy who passes by the UNC-Duke analysis and reads the long-form SI story on Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer.This isn’t come attempt to give myself a pat on the back or sound more important, it’s just trying to give you context for this conversation we’re about to have.I stumbled across a headline this weekend from the Sloan Sports Analytics conference at MIT from the interview Bill Simmons conducted with NBA commissioner Adam Silver – the headline: At Sloan, NBA commissioner Adam Silver talks candidly about players’ mental healthThe subhead is a quote “I think it’s a generational issue”In the last few years you’ve heard Kevin Love and Demar DeRozan speak about their mental health issues and I wonder – what the heck is going on here?Silver shares:“When I meet with them, what surprises me is that they’re truly unhappy, A lot of these young men are generally unhappy.’’ What is at the root of these issues, what are we doing wrong here and what is it about the NBA in particular that is seeing this issue?Is it that they are just more vocal and these problems exist everywhere in sports, or is there something bubbling under the surface of the NBA experience?I’m not naïve, I know people are unhappy, I know depression number are n the rise – one study last year informed that depression is on the rise among Americans from all age groups but is rising fastest among teens and young adults.But maybe I am naïve, because I always thought…sports helped with issues of depression. I had friends growing up and through college who used sports as their escape from the ravages of real life, as their safe haven, their happy place. But now, I’m reading more than ever about sports being a catalyst, not a cure.I got into sports for two main reasons – competition and team. And by team I mean a sense of belonging, of community, of unity. Sure I was driven by my desires to beat the person across from me,

Zac Logsdon: Old Hat Creative Sports Marketing Agency Feb 27, 2019

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When you own a sports marketing agency you have to stay up with the changing demographics of your target audience. In this weeks podcast, Zac Logsdon, founder of Old Hat Creative sports marketing agency, and I dig deep into today's sports audience, how to attract them to games, engage and grow with them. This is sports marketing. Thanks to our sponsors for this episode... Temple University's Master's Program!Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…Could you imagine being five years out of college and starting your own sports marketing agency? Forget even being that specific – could you imagine being five years out of college and trying to run anything completely by yourself?I’ll admit, I was totally co-dependent in my 20's. I needed someone else, thank you Sandy Malcolm if you are listening, to steer me, guide me through my career decisions, help me focus and understand the larger business around me.Not Zac Logsdon.This guy – that’s my Jon Gruden impression, how was it? This guy, graduates from University of Oklahoma with a degree in advertising and starts working for a big advertising firm. I’m guessing he missed sports, so he left his big firm after two years and starts heading up the graphic design team for his Alma Maters athletic program.Three years later – eh, I think I can do this myself – let’s start an agency from scratch.Are you insane?I’ve always thought I was a pretty motivated and confident dude, but I would not have had the ability to do what Zac Logsdon has. But then again, starting an agency isn’t the same as owning a successful agency. Many go under in a short time frame… but not Zac’s.Fast forward 17 years and not only is Old Hat Creative still thriving in the sports industry, working with college athletic programs across the country, but he’s also written two books, hosts a podcast and every once in a while…sleeps.Here’s the fun part – in this interview, we aren’t just going down memory lane discussing how he got where he is, sure we’ll do some of that, but primarily we’re talking about the now. Understanding fan behavior, marketing to today’s generation of sports fans, the direction of the sports industry and more…After this podcast is over, if you are anything like me, you’ll probably subscribe to Zac’s podcast Winning is not a strategy, and buy one of his books… I did, and I’m not great at endorsing competing podcasts…it takes a lot for me to tell all of you to listen to someone else so you know I mean it!Here’s Zac Logsdon…Questions for Zac Logsdon, Old Hat Creative Sports Marketing Agency1: Before we get into the finer details of sports marketing, fan behavior and your career, we’ll start with a little more of your personal story – the when and why.When did you figure out you wanted to get into the marketing side of sports… and why did this become your passion and goal?2: You were an advertising major and after graduating from University of Oklahoma started working at one of the largest advertising firms in the region – Ackerman McQueen – how much did this experience at a major firm help form you and your personality in marketing and advertising?3: Pretty quickly you turned that big firm experience into a role with the Oklahoma athletic department as Director of Graphic Design...and then wham, just 5 years after graduating college started your own marketing agency, Old Hat.How often did you cry yourself to sleep in the early days of starting your own agency?4: Getting clients I’d imagine has to be the hard part – what was your approach to getting and growing your client base? And did your Oklahoma connection kick things off?5: Marketing is such a broad term – there’s the creative, the activation, the tracking and conversion, the communication and copy writing side – the list keeps going! In your experience, do you think it’s better for someone to have a specialized focus and talent, or is it smarter to be a jack of all trades?

Do You Have The Discipline to Follow Your Passion? Feb 25, 2019

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Passion is great, but it isn't enough. It's time to get your discipline up to speed with your passion.HI everybody I’m Brian Clapp, Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…As you’ve probably guessed by now, I’m a sports junkie as I imagine many of you are. But last night, is a night off from sports and a chance to watch the Oscars.I’ll admit, and this is totally cliché, but my interest in the Oscars was piqued when I found out the Best Supporting Actor nominee Mahershala Ali was a division 1 basketball player at Saint Mary’s. Yes I watched his career highlights, and yes it made me want to see him win, and win he did.I’m not making light of his acting chops, I loved him in Moonlight, like really loved him in that. But I haven’t seen any of the adult movies for this year’s run of Oscar movies. I have three children, 11, 10 and 7, which means I have seen the Incredibles 2 and Ralph Break the Internet…but not Green Book or Bohemian Rhapsody. Quick synopsis of those movies – Incredibles 2 – cute had some funny moments, a little chaotic, but endearing.Ralph Breaks the Internet – Terrible. Seriously Terrible. I’ve never seen a movie work harder in product placement than this. It was basically an advertisement for every internet entity and an inside joke for kids that sit around and play video games all day. The indoor generation – my kids didn’t like it, but maybe that’s because, well, they go outside and they read books – I know, what an elitist snob I am.Anyway, back on track – Mahershala Ali – played college ball at St. Mary’s which is a pretty amazing tie in to what I have going on later today. St. Mary’s plays in the West Coast Conference, and in just a few hours I am interviewing West Coast Conference Commissioner Gloria Nevarez for the podcast.Nevarez is the first Latina commissioner in division 1, first ever. I read a profile on her in the LA Times, reached out to a LinkedIn contact I saw was connected to her, and within about a week had her scheduled for an interview. Thank you Lisa Rodriguez.Obviously I’m selling the fact we have this great interview coming up – and that it’s connected to the Oscars, which is timely – but really lets make a point here. I talk about LinkedIn as an asset to each and every one of you, and I hope by now you are leveraging this tool for your betterment.This is how you build your network and increase your reach in the industry, you find a thread of connection between you and another person of interest and you connect. Lisa Rodriguez and I connected because she once worked with my CEO at the Phoenix Coyotes, she listened to the podcast, liked it and thought – huh, I should connect with this dude.In that time frame her and I have had many conversation – we talked strategy for landing Theo Epstein on the podcast (he’s my white whale, I may close down the show if I ever get him on) we’ve talked industry comings and goings. And then I asked her about Gloria Nevarez and she made it happen.I owe Lisa one. But the bigger point here is, without that tool, LinkedIn, none of this would have happened. There would be no platform for us to converse in a business sense, we would not have seen the interconnectivity in our networks, we would not have been able to discuss challenges we faced, or help each other out or connect with others.I’m not just saying this stuff for something to say, I really believe it, and I use it…and I don’t get paid a dime by Linkedin just to be clear… but if you are listening, I’m open to it.Use the tools you have to build your career in sports.Now let’s get back to the Oscars – that’s the theme of today's show.I’m one of those people that seeks out inspiration – I’ll watch Rocky III for the 70th time to enjoy the training scenes with Rocky and Apollo, I’ll watch Remember the Titans to be reminded of our recent history of bigotry and intolerance, Saving Private Ryan to inspire courage but also the cruelty of war.

Lewie Pollis: The Power of Sports Analytics – Work in Sports podcast e158 Feb 20, 2019

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Sports Analytics is all the rage in the sports industry - but what does it really look like to be in research and development? Lewie Pollis, Lead Quantitative Analyst, Amateur Scouting for the Philadelphia Phillies gives us an inside look at the world of sports analytics.Today's sponsors:Temple University Masters in Sports BusinessGeorgetown University Masters in Sports Industry Management Questions for Lewie Pollis, Philadelphia Phillies Lead Quantitative Analyst, Amateur Scouting1: So excited to have a chance to speak with you lewie – research and analytics are all the rage in the sports industry and it’s great to share with our audience details on your role and background – let’s start there, your background – you’re an ivy league guy earning your degree in economics and political science from Brown University -- was a sports career in your focus at this point, or were you headed down a different path?2: I wrote an article a few years back studying the background of all the GM’s in Major League Baseball and it was really interesting to see the trend – more and more top-level executives were being hired with an economics background rather than a guy who spent his entire career sitting in minor league bleachers with a radar gun.Did this come into your thinking as you pursued a less than typical degree for the sports industry?3: Let’s get into the internship you did with the Cleveland Indians while in school – the Indians are a very forward thinking organization, in fact Keith Woolner their principal data scientist is a bit of a legend in the baseball analytics side of the industry. What was this experience like for you to be with a major league team, with a developed and valued staff in analytics… and for your home town team no less?4: During your college years you interned with the Indians and the Reds – it’s hard to get major league internships, and you got two different ones. What was your key to getting these roles – how did they come to fruition?5: You’re at a top university studying some heavy subjects in economics and political science – and then you go intern with two different professional teams – I imagine you’ve been crunching numbers your entire life, but was it different to see how it all works within the context of a major league organization?6: For the last 4 years you’ve been with the Philadelphia Phillies as part of the baseball research and development staff, so you’ve had experience with three different MLB teams. Without naming specifics, does the organizational impact of the analytics department come from the top down and therefore vary from team to team? I’d imagine some teams embrace it more than others and that would affect your impact, right?7: How have the analytical capacities of your department, and the influence your group has, changed or developed over your 4 years with the Phillies?8: You were recently promoted from Analyst, Baseball Research and Development to Lead Quantitative Analyst, Amateur Scouting – let’s start with your former role, break it down for us, what were the major parts of your role in Baseball Research and Development?9: Ok let’s flip to now, sounds like you’re focused in the amateur scouting side – is this role primarily focused on the player evaluation and acquisition via the draft? 10: How much of your role requires you to present the data and make your case to others in the organization? I think many people believe analytics is an introvert’s job, but in my experience talking with people in the industry, you have to able to defend your position and articulate your research…right?11: Our audience is comprised of many people who want to be where you are – what advice would you give someone who has an eye for a career on the analytics section of the industry?For all of Lewie Pollis's answers to these questions about careers in sports analytics, make sure to listen in to the Work in Sports podcast e158!

A Plan to Build Real, Lasting Connections – Work in Sports Podcast e157 Feb 18, 2019

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Everyone needs a follow up plan to build relationships. Lucky you, we're sharing ours.Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast.We are brought to you this week by WorkinSports.com – the leading job board for the sports industry. We currently have 10,145 active sports jobs on our website and another 649 internships – that is a lot of opportunity.Let’s play a quick game – I’m going to pick out a keyword – let’s say, communication, I was a communication major in college, so let’s plug that in to the keyword search tool.1,024 results – not bad, I see a VP of marketing for an NBA team, Communications Director for a running shoe company, Publicist for a major sports network.But 1,024 that’s a lot of jobs to sort through… let’s add another filter – I’m going to add just in the Northeast – since I live outside of Philadelphia, this is my area.311 sports jobs with the term communications in them located on the Northeast. Now that’s a manageable list. I see sports radio stations, major sports leagues, teams, colleges, online sites like fanduel, basketball training facilities like Zero gravity – that’s the beauty of our product – we get them all.Not just teams and leagues - smaller agencies, sports radio stations, training facilities, online sites, start-ups. You get the whole sports marketplace on our site. If you are a student – visit workinsports.com/students – and sign up for a 6 month membership for just $30. $5 a month – totally worth it.Let’s get to today’s question…This question comes from Alisha in Texas – Alisha contacted me through LinkedIn, which is a great way to send in your questions. Or you can join our private facebook group by searching the Work in Sports podcast on facebook, answering a few easy questions to prove you are human, and the joining in the conversation. You can post questions there for sure!We also have a podcast@workinsports.com email inbox…but I lost the password, so wait a minute on that one.If you have your questions answered on the show… boom you get a free month at WorkinSports.com – which is an awesome site, but I’ve already made that case.Hi Brian – this is Alisha from Texas and I love your podcast! I’m going to try out your Facebook Live sessions on Thursday night as well – thanks for all you do.Alisha thanks for the reminder – for all of you listening, every Thursday at 7:30pm EST we go LIVE from the Work in Sports facebook page – I discuss a topic on the sports industry, like networking or internships or interviewing… and then opening it up to LIVE audience questions. Lots of fun, come join me.Back to Alisha’s question –I am an extrovert – I am very good at meeting people, and frankly am fearless talking to anyone. But, I am not good at the next steps of following up and building on the relationship. Can you help me create a plan that makes all my efforts to meet people more effective?I am a checklist guy – I use my calendar to schedule out activities, build myself lists, and execute on a consistent, but humanized plan. No communication is automated or formulaic, but the system I create to remind myself to take action is automated.Does that make sense? Because it’s a core principle – every time you speak to someone it has to sound like you and represent you. It can’t be cut and paste, it can’t be a formula you follow. It has to be your voice.BUT, creating an automated system to remind you to do the steps is 100% ok and I recommend it. So here it is, your easily executable networking follow up plan that will help you build and maintain relationships with the people you meet in the sports industry!Within 24 hours of meeting someone you have 3 things you have to do. Listen in to the episode for all the specific tips and tricks!

Social Responsibility in a Changing Sports World – Work in Sports Podcast e156 Feb 13, 2019

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The role of corporate social responsibility in sports has taken on a larger profile in the industry, now representing a bigger, more impactful role in sports organizations of all sizes.Learn more about these sports roles from Tiara Brown, Charlotte Hornets Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility.For more information on the Master in Sports Business Leadership program at Seattle University, email their team at MSBL@seattleu.edu or call 206-398-4610 to learn more about how we can help you work in sport. Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for Work in Sports.com and this is the WorkinSports podcast…Corporate Social Responsibility.It’s a big term with a lot of weight, but for a long time Corporate Social Responsibility was a “nice-to-have” part of an organization. A “check the box” procedural decision of large corporations in sports and in business.These massive organizations figured Corporate Social Responsibility, or Community Relations, was a way to feel good about their org, to do good in the community and grab some positive press here and there.Now, times have changed, Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer a separate piece of the business strategy, it is an integral part.It is no longer a division of the organization kept separate from the larger organization plan, it is part and parcel.It is no longer just a desire to do some good, it is an essential part of a business being successful.Why? Why this fundamental change?If you ask me the reason is two-fold – competition, and current events.Even in sports there is competition for the almighty fan dollar. This isn’t the 1980’s where if you are a fan of a certain team you have to go to the game to see them play. There are alternatives to spending money at the arena.There are other sports, you can watch on TV, heck you can even bypass your local team and watch out of market teams in a myriad of ways or you can choose completely different things to invest your money in.Competition is huge… if your team isn’t likable, if it doesn’t have a soul, if it is mired in controversy… people will turn away. Corporate Social Responsibility aims to fix this.. to give a heart and soul to the big business. In addition, current events demand someone keeping an eye on the decision making of the organization and making sure it aligns with the expectations of society. Sexual misconduct, race relations, freedom of speech and countless other issues are in the forefront of our day to day society.Never before has it been more important for sports teams, leagues and organizations to lead in this regard rather than react from behind.This weeks guest, Tiara Brown, Charlotte Hornets Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility sees this all happening first hand. She and her team with the Hornets aim to strengthen the Charlotte community by supporting education, military, hunger and wellness initiatives – and they are doing one heck of a job.Here’s Tiara Brown…Questions for Tiara Brown, Charlotte Hornets Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility1: You attended the University of Louisville and graduated with a degree in Sports Administration – clearly it was your focus to work in the sports industry – where did that love come from?2: You interned in the Louisville athletic department while you were a student – do you think it was helpful to go to a large school with a large athletic department… do you believe this afforded you different opportunities that could help you reach your career goals?3: While in school you also interned with the Charlotte Hornets in Community Relations -- internships with pro teams are very competitive, how did you get the role?4: Was Community Relations something you fell into via the opportunity, or was this always a part of your plan?5: You transitioned from intern to full-time employee, a result I guarantee every single person listening wants to follow – so take yourself back, did you have a certain strategy or approach to your internship that helped ...

Take this Sports Job or Shove It? Work in Sports Podcast e155 Feb 11, 2019

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What if you get a job offer but aren't sure it's the right fit? Here are some scenarios to consider when accepting a sports job.If you’re determined to advance your sports career, the Master’s in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown is the answer you’ve been looking for.Georgetown offers a part-time Master's in Sports Industry Management that prepares you to excel in the global sports industry.Ideal for working professionals, the program offers flexible options to take classes online, on campus, or through a combination of both—so you don't have to interrupt your career to earn your degree.This is huge – you can literally keep earning while you learn. Keep your day job while advancing your skill set.You'll leave the program with the communication, business, and leadership strategies that position you for success.To learn more about the program, visit scs.georgetown.edu/workinsports. Hi everybody, I’m Brian Clapp Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…I have to admit I was kind of bummed yesterday that there was no football. That’s the thing about sports, you go for months keeping up with your team, reading articles, scouring transaction wires, listening to podcasts…and then it’s done.My team won the Super Bowl this year, but the celebration doesn’t last for the fans really… I miss being in season and getting excited or panicked over every moment. I miss the drama of the game.It’s almost like cooking a great meal – you spend 2 hours getting it ready, and then everyone eats in 10-15 minutes. Then you clean up for an hour. The joyous part was so small in perspective.I’m not trying to sound like a selfish, spoiled fan… I’m actually remarking how much fun the season is, and then how sad it can be when it’s over.This will wear off – I’ll transition to NBA and NHL…maybe check some college hoops and get ready for baseball. But I always get a little out of sorts after the end of the football season. Maybe it’s the weather too – it’s nasty here in philly. I’m ready for spring.Before I get into today’s question – did anyone watch the AAF? I know I’m talking about the end of football, and I could have chosen to watch the AAF…but I just couldn’t do it. What about you?Did you try out the new league? Any thoughts?I’d love to hear your take – if you are a member of our private facebook group head over there and let me know if you watched any of the AAF games and what you thought. If you aren’t a member, JOIN! Head over to facebook, type in the Work in Sports podcast in the search bar, answer a few quick questions and join in the group.Not only are there great discussions on sports careers, but there are also tons of people looking to network and learn from each other – including many of our expert guests!Speaking of which, Wednesdays Work in Sports podcast will feature Tiara Brown, Charlotte Hornets Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility – such a growing and important sector of the sports industry, Tiara shares a ton of her experience in working with the community in Charlotte.Alright let’s get into today’s question --- this is a subject I want to expand upon after it was brought up during our Facebook Live session on Thursday at 7:30pm EST. For those of you that haven’t joined the LIVE yet you really should.I pick a teachable theme each week – so we’ve covered topics like how to network on social media, mastering your cover letter, and leveraging LinkedIn… I talk about that subject in a very actionable way for the first 20-30 minutes… then I open up the floor to everyone in attendance – the questions fly in and I try to handle them all. They can expand on the theme, or they can be in a totally different direction. They can be general advice on something like interning, or they could be very specific to you and your needs.It is all fair game --- and it is a lot of fun. Again, it happens every single Thursday at 7:30pm EST on the Work in Sports facebook page – not the podcast group – that’s...

Tripp Keister: Player Development in Professional Sports Feb 06, 2019

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Tripp Keister is the winningest manager in Potomac Nationals history, but he doesn't care about that, what he cares about is player development.Hi everybody I’m Brian Clapp, Director of Content for WorkinSports.com and this is the Work in Sports podcast…Since the day we started this podcast I have had fans ask repeatedly – please get someone in player development.This has been one of my big failures to date – I’ve struck out a ton. I’ve likely requested interviews with 30 different people in player development, which resulted in 29 very polite no thank you’s.Dior Ginyard, Senior Player Manager for the NFLPA was my one success, and if you ask me one of our best interviews to date, primarily because player development is a very interesting subject. Helping elite athletes develop as people, serving them so they can be the best version of themselves on campus, or in the minors, or in the big time.As you likely have noticed I’m a little obsessed with the development side of people in general. That path from student to professional is fascinating to me – the steps people take to find their true calling, and to master their art form. The influencers who have guided them, the tough love that drove them, the micro decisions that have resulted in massive change.All of this fascinates me, which is why I, like you, wanted to have more guests in player development.This weeks guest, Tripp Keister, is the single A manager of the Potomac Nationals. He’s the winningest manager in Potomac Nationals history…but you know what it says on his LinkedIn account: that he works in player development.Not that he’s a master of double switches and pitch counts, but that he’s in the development of the young men that come through his dugout.And they all do.As the manager of the Washington National High A team, most of not all their top draft picks and prospects start with Tripp.This again fascinates me.Think about this for a second, Tripp is managing a bunch of 18 year olds embarking on their future, not just on the field but often in their first times away from home, their first time having to manage their own lives!This makes me wonder – how is that any different than Mike Judge managing the inside sales staff of the Cleveland Browns?Is it the same? Is management, management? Is motivation and technique and evaluation and discipline the same whether you are developing high powered athletes or entry level employees?I found my conversation with Tripp fascinating, and his overall approach to developing young men into really good, productive people. Success is different for everyone, some will reach the majors, some won’t, but I think they’ll all look back and remember the influence of Tripp Keister.Let’s get into it – here’s Tripp KeisterQuestions for Tripp Keister, Potomac Nationals Manager and Player Development1: Before we get into your role in player development and managing in the Nationals farm system – let’s talk a little about you and your background – you played college ball at the University of Delaware, you were a standout player, but I’m curious the mindset of a college athlete – while in school were you focused on being a player in the majors, or did you start to consider your post-playing days career?2: You get drafted by the Mets in the 1992 amateur draft – the vast majority of us will never know that feeling – what was that like being chosen to continue your career as a pro?3: You played in the 341 games in the minors – what kind of life lessons did you pull from this experience?4: I have to imagine the moment you realize you aren’t going to go any further in your playing career is tough mentally – how did you deal with this change and pivot to a new focus and career?5: You jumped into coaching at University of South Carolina after your final season with the Binghampton Mets – and then became an amateur scout with the Padres. We have many people in our audience who dream about becoming a scout – so tell us,

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