My questions:
1)what made you want to work In sports?
2)what are some day today day duties you take on when working ?
3) did you have an internship here at odu that helped you get you to where you are now?
4) what is the most challenging thing you gave when working ?
5)did you work facilities and operations before somewhere else before you started working in Los Angeles?
6) what is team do you work for ?
7)what’s your favorite part about your job?
8) where do you see your self in the future ?
9) how did ODU specifically help to get to where you are now?
10) what’s some advice you would give to someone who wants to follow your foot steps?
Austins Answers:
- The reason I started working in sports was because of my love for sports. I knew I would never be good enough or be blessed with the genes to play professional sports, so I figured why not work in them
- Most of my duties vary day to day however, I am usually managing the team that is working to get the stadium ready for matches or events. This includes prepping signage, security checkpoints, and gates for ingress and egress.
- I did not have an internship through ODU, I did two years of internships with the Norfolk Tides
- The most challenging thing while working is just remembering the small details that create the bigger picture and make for a successful event
- Yes, I spent a little over three years in operations before my job with LAFC. Two years spent with the Norfolk Tides, one year with the Bowling Green Hot Rods (class high A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays)
- Los Angeles FC which is a newer expansion team in the MLS
- My favorite part of the job is seeing the side of events and the stadium that 99% of the world never gets to see. It is unbelievable to know that you played a roll in creating an amazing event for 25,000 people
- Hopefully, I will be the Director of Operations for a Major League team whether it’s NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL, or MLS team
- ODU gave me a ton of opportunities to volunteer at sporting events, volunteer within the community and connect me with hiring managers at local teams and organizations
- Keep grinding, the first couple years are going to be tough. Its going to be long hours for not a lot of pay but if you keep your head down and push through the early years the opportunities are endless. The other piece of advice is; don’t limit yourself to one sport or type of venue cast a wide net because all it takes is one job offer to make your career take off.