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!!