Autumn Quarter Reflection

Oh Autumn Quarter….I am ready to be over you! The Bid project was a stressor and beneficial in a multitude of ways. It is VERY difficult to communicate with classmates all over the U.S. with the kind of schedules we are keeping. Not only do we have people participating in various types of internships, but time schedules, and different time zones! But what a great accomplishment when we were all done!! Nobody’s project was perfect, but I feel very confident in the marketing plan The Real Charlotte Group turned in.

Internship wise – I’m starting to realize where I don’t want to be in athletics, at least not right now, rather than where I want to be. I’m learning just exactly how NOT to lead, but not necessarily learning how to lead better. Through my own readings I’m learning how to lead, and observing my classmates. It’s so much about how you handle situations, what you do with adversity, and the respect you give people from the start. In my internship there are a couple examples of people I observe and can’t comprehend their methods. There is no cultivation of leadership for them. Some people are so narrowly focused they lose sight of the big picture and what’s important. Innovation is what keeps things alive and in certain parts of athletics (that I’ve observed in my internship) that aspect is lost, and the continued cycle of negativity continues. My goal in my next job is to change that.

Two themes that I see spread throughout my experiences in the field are that college sports are a form of entertainment and the severe lack of leadership throughout college athletics which is supposed to be based on leadership or help develop leaders.

Facility Enhancement Reflection

After these two facility assignments, I don’t know that I ever want to think about improvements to Conibear Shellhouse again. Just being honest as John Moss often says. The part I enjoyed most about this assignment I think was learning the history behind the facilities we researched, not exactly the enhancements themselves. I find the history to be fascinating, especially how the facility has morphed and changed over the years. My facility was difficult because it has so many different uses and attracts so many different groups it was hard to narrow down to a couple specific groups and keep within the page limits for the assignment.

I think I would be more enthralled with a enhancement proposal process and research if it was a facility I really cared about and wanted change. That is when we do our best work at anything right? When we are passionate about something. I was never truly passionate about enhancing Conibear, so it was difficult to really think of enhancements that wouldn’t just be superficial and a great addition but essential. In the end with some research and interviews I was able to come up with some good ideas, but mine alone were not really getting at ways to truly improve the facility.

Festival Bid Reflection / Assignment Prompt

The facilities project completion = Shelby Ramirez a lot more happy! The facilities project was a tough experience, but beneficial. It was hard to believe how much planning goes into one single Festival, and what aspects need to be considered. I would never want to plan an actual Festival myself. After doing several hours and days of research on Charlotte, NC though, I believe Charlotte is a place I would like to visit, and possibly live someday. Charlotte does have A LOT!

Though I am fairly certain I will not be going into any job that has to deal with Facilities as the primary focus of the job, as we’ve learned throughout this class and our internships – athletics is all encompassing. The more knowledge you have or just even awareness of other departments and how the ICA works as whole is beneficial. This is one theme that has emerged across all courses and in the actual work field.

I’ve learned that when it comes to the handling of facilities and running of events I am better equipped as a follower than a leader. I don’t have as much confidence in my ability to plan the use of facilitations at this point, but believe that I could handle staffing a home competition. As I did with the Husky Hall of Fame in October, I also feel very confident in my ability to assist the planning of a huge school event, thanks to my internship.

Autumn Quarter Blog Reflection

Since I started my internship at the University of Washington I have noticed a couple of things about my leadership style in comparison with others. I don’t know that I have consciously changed my own leadership style at this point in my internship, but rather have learned ways in which I DON’T want to lead. The most important thing I’ve learned about leadership style is to never talk down to people or treat them as though they don’t understand.
When supervisors talk to me or the other interns in a condescending manner it can be infuriating. That is one aspect I had not really experienced before this internship and want to make sure I don’t duplicate that behavior when I have a leadership position. As we learned from Ben Steele, people are not stupid. We don’t need to treat them like children and talk to them in a condescending manner. Treat others or talk to them like you would want to be treated. So far this quarter I have encountered a couple of supervisors that don’t follow this mantra so it has been a challenge to stay positive around them and work hard for someone who treats me and the other interns undesirably. But, on the good side, I have been fortunate to have a couple great supervisors as well. They understand that I am competent and hard working, and treat me with the respect even when assigning menial tasks.
This fall I want to work on understanding how to deal with difficult people. I have a hard time continuing to be positive around people I don’t respect. My goal for the remainder of this fall and my internship is to figure out how I can still take directions and orders from someone who I may not respect as an authority figure. Because sometimes in athletics there will be people you don’t see eye to eye on things with but still need to work with them to get projects completed.

Missing America's Team,

Shelby

Sociology of Education - Week 8

Well....here it is. Unbelievable. This week has been about so much more than just class and wrapping up the summer session. I've developed so many life-long friendships over these past 8 weeks it has been partly been dealing with the idea that most people are leaving and I won't be able to see them on a daily basis any longer.

As far as the scholastic side of the week I was reminded about my belief in the importance of education. It is so critical for the youth to be educated. Watching the video about the school systems of Ohio was touching and both devastating. Even if my future doesn't involve athletics (which I plan to) I know that education and leadership will always be a part of my career.

It is far too important for the youth to have opportunities starting at a young age and a chance at some educations, even if college is not in their future. I would love for every student to have the possibility of college in their future but right now that isn't possible. Maybe that is my ultimate dream. I don't know...

What I do know, is these past 8 weeks have been so informative scholastically, trying emotionally and personally, but have ended in a 2 month long period of personal development for me. I will forever feel indebted to the IAL program and my cohort.

Excited to see where we all go and the goals we accomplish. America's Team...signing off on the last week....it's for the kids!

Week 7 - Human Resources

Human resources week wasn’t really all that much about HR. It was more a culmination of several other topics we’ve learned over the last seven weeks poured into one. I really enjoyed having Debi Gore-Mann co-teach our class this week. I think she is a phenomenal resource for our class and will be a great mentor to many people in our class. As a current Athletics Director she gave us insight into current issues she was dealing with and they had a real life feel to them – obviously, because they were real situations.

It was interesting as well having Marie teach our class being a previous University of Washington employee. She seems to have had many experiences and different job titles within college athletics. She has also worked at several different institutions, which was good to hear her opinion on common themes in athletics that are applicable across the board.

Highlight of the week was having Josh Cooprider speak to our class. So awesome to hear the trials and tribulations of someone in athletics! He related well to our class, and it was beneficial to hear from someone who didn’t have a direct path into his current position. I liked that he identified his strengths/weaknesses as an individual. It helped me to realize things I need to get better at, or focus on not doing to be successful in my job.

This is the first week where I have really gone back and focused on my core values, or at least consciously thought about them in regards to my career within athletics. Maybe it was the professional development assignment, but I now have a better idea of how I can continue to live my core values while working within athletics. The papers each week were actually kind of fun to write but I wish we had discussed them more with the class. Not enough discussion this week would be a compliant I had. There was a lot of lecture or talking at us, not enough interaction. But a great week nonetheless…. one left America’s team!!

Week 6 - Fundraising and Development

Andy Geiger = awesome. We had a ton of big names walk through our classroom doors this week. I thoroughly enjoyed our guest speakers this week. We got some good insight as to how things vary a bit between different kinds of institutions within the fundraising umbrella. Hearing the experiences of these guest speakers and being able to ask questions and get advice has been priceless to my education as a future employee of college athletics.

Having Jen and O.D. speak with us on Friday and break down the organizational differences of their department was beneficial. It allowed us to see the different branches of fundraising and development while also realizing just how influential these people are within the university. They hold a ton of power, and have a ton of decisions to make daily. It was also so great to see such a strong and impressive female presence within college athletics.

Speaking with the UW donors was also a great experience. It was nice, especially looking into stewardship, to be able to hear their opinions on being a donor. It allowed us to get insight into why they were doing it, what they liked, disliked, and how to improve in the future.

Fundraising all in all was better than I expected. The project was stressful at times but I feel like I now have something I'm proud to show potential employers in the future, and it may just land me the job.

America's team...over and out.

Shelby

Week 5 - The Law

Uhhh law week - seriously? Way better than I expected....intense for sure but so well worth it.

The most beneficial part of the week for me was a cross between breaking down the legal cases and getting a handle on how to read those and how the judge/jury agreed of disagreed and listening to Cameron Foster. The cases were overwhelming at first, especially in anticipation for the first day. But as the week went along I got more comfortable with the cases and reading and interpreting them.

Cameron Foster and O.D. Vincent were the highlights of the week though. Listening to guest speakers, one from UW and his experience through the whole legal issue was fascinating. It was great to be able to read the case from the legal perspective and standpoint, and then get the "insider" information or opinion on the situation. He was at the heart of the issue so it wasn't just an insider opinion but someone who was a focal point of the case.

I had never had any experience with a sports agent prior to Cameron speaking to the class besides what I've seen on television. He was a stark contrast to Ari on Entourage. It was so refreshing and invigorating to know that there are still good sports agents in athletics. It was also good to see a different strategy of agent besides the big time business, multiple client strategy. He gave the impression of hometown and truly sincere of his caring of the athlete and their success. Maybe that is why he is successful? Regardless, his impression and the personality that we saw in class was assuring and great for what I envision will better the experience for collegiate athletics.

Week 4 - Student Populations

The Game On discussion was so interesting to me this week. I learned so much from talking with my classmates and hearing our guest speakers. The guest speakers were seriously so awesome they were the best part of the week.

From the Game On readings and assignments I reflected upon my fond memories of years spent in the gym at basketball tournament after tournament and that one overwhelming trip to Disneyworld to play at AAU Nationals, all has a whole new meaning now. Never before did I realize what an innovative and blood sucking mechanism AAU basketball had become. My childhood years were spent playing AAU basketball, but Game On has opened my eyes as to what was actually going on in those gymnasiums or how amateur basketball has evolved.

Kids are expected to have a die-hard mentality about sports, at age eight. Do or die. There is nothing else beyond winning. This is what we are teaching the youth who are participating in sports, are we serious? When Farrey asked a group of eight year olds if they even knew what a national championship was, he never got an exactly right answer. The closest the boys came was “the whole country? The whole world?” We’ll give them points for effort, but this just reiterates the obsession with sport and the overbearing need to be champions starting at such a ridiculously young age.

Game On opened my eyes to the fact that AAU basketball is just a revenue-generating machine. It is simply a vehicle for economic advancement. Having participated in AAU basketball myself I was oblivious to all the telltale aspects that say “this is all for profit,” not the kids. For example, the no food allowed in the gym, in no way is that trying to help out the athlete’s family with cost containment. I guess until someone pointed out all the signs I just didn’t realize what the AAU organization was doing to unsuspecting or unaware parents and players. They are crooks.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it - America's Team - Out!

Week 3 - Accounting

Accounting was a beneficial week for me. As a Business major in undergrad I had some exposure to accounting terms previously. But it had been a while since I’d heard them so Professor Hodge did a great job re-introducing them and simplifying the terms so we could all be understood. Breaking down the accounting terms for us non-business majors isn’t always the easiest task, but I think by the end of the week we were all on the same page, except maybe Kara who is exceptional in accounting.

I thoroughly enjoyed taking those accounting concepts and putting together financial statements for an athletics department. I think it was great to be able to see real tangible items and issues that we'll be dealing with while working in the athletics department.

The project was intense!! My accounting project happened to be rather difficult for me because I researched a topic that ended up dealing with a lot of my assumptions rather than clear-cut statistics and facts. It made the presentation more fun and creative, but difficult to convey my ideas in an accounting realm which hurt my presentation. I was a bit nervous presenting as well, but have noticed that my public speaking is improving with each week and each presentation.

I think that’s all I have to say about accounting week. It was fun, go America’s Team!!

Core Values

My two core values are: Happiness and Family

If you need more info, just ask me.

Foundations Reflection

The Fierce conversations had a major impact on me. I had never realized the effect of being direct, in all conversations, can have on the content and sincerity of a conversation. The two points that really impacted me were the ideas of “conversations vs. versations” and the belief that one single conversation can, but is not guaranteed to, change your life.

After the distinction between a conversation and a versation was defined, I reflected on my own conversations. I had to ask myself, “Self, how many people in your life do you have true conversations with?” I quickly realized the answer was dependant on the environment and other person. Talking with family is a majority of versations. I notice that what begins as a conversation ends up as a versation, where I am talked at, instead of a back and forth exchange. The Fierce techniques taught me how I can reel the dialogue back into a two-sided conversation. Maintaining those two-sides will help keep me engaged in what that person is saying. Ensuring there is directness in the conversation will keep me from disengagement.

My plan is: after our greeting and limited small talk (because it is family, I believe you have to engage in some of that) I will make sure to ask, “What is the most important thing we need to talk about today?” With that approach I believe I will be able to give those few people the continual attention they deserve, and hopefully help them work through the issues they truly need help addressing. Aside from a few family members I’ve noticed ironically that most conversations I have with my close friends are, for the most part, legitimate, true conversations. There is engagement in the conversation from both parties, and a desire to help one another through issues while providing support. I imagine that is why we call friends the family you choose. So really, at this point, my personal conversations with family members can benefit the most from my Fierce training.

The quote about a single conversation having the ability to change a life enthralled me because it was so true! My first thought was about the conversation I had with a mentor who introduced me to the IAL program. That conversation changed my life. It changed the direction my life was heading, my focus and my view of the future. I didn’t need any more proof that this Fierce model was legit. But of course I had another moment where that saying proved to be true. Thursday morning during the internship presentations I was able to recognize this theory in action. After I spoke with Ann at the showcase, I knew that my internship worries were about to get a little better. Through our sole conversation I was given the opportunity to talk a second time about an internship, ultimately receiving an offer.

As a future leader I will pass on the “single conversation” theory and stress it’s important and accuracy!