The Importance of Staying Connected with Alumni

This past weekend, was alumni weekend at Ohio Dominican University.  They had alumni events all weekend that included a Hall of Fame banquet dinner, football game, and tailgating.  Also, I had my softball alumni game and get together.  It was a filled weekend with lots of old college friends and teammates.  It got me thinking about the importance of keeping alumni connected.  There are a few reasons why it is important to me.  The first is that it shows the strong relationship and impact that the program or university has had on a person.  In regards to sports, playing sports in college can realy help shape a person and teach them life long lessons.  It helps a person form certain qualities that can be used throughout their career in the business world.  The program does a lot for a person, but the person also does a lot for the program.  They dedicate four years to the program and give it everything they have.  That is one reason why I feel it is so important to have events such as alumni weekend and alumni games.  It is a way of showing appreciation to what that person has put into a program.  Also, it gives a chance for old friends to reunite, reminisce on old memories, and catch up on new things.   

Also, I thought it also fit in well with last week's topic of fundraising.  Alumni are important in the aspect of fundraising for teams and even university's.  The university and sport programs do so much for a person.  This gives them a chance to give back and show their appreciation to what they have done for them.  Keeping alumni connected and involved will benefit both sides.  It helps keep the alumni feeling as if they are still very much appreciated and involved in the university’s mission.  The university also benefits because they are receiving the money or other things from the alumni to better the university.  Without the help from alumni, many schools or universities would struggle to develop and grow.  Therefore, alumni are an important factor to any growing program or university.       

Fundraising and Recruiting: They really do have a lot of similarities!

As I first read the title of this article, I was intrigued on how the authors were going to discuss the similarities of fundraising and recruiting.  I never really associated the two as having many connections with each other until I read this article.  The first similarity, “Pool of Prospects”, is probably the most obvious connection that is so apparent it can easily be over looked.  Fundraising is almost recruiting in itself.  Many types of fundraising require some sort of recruiting, whether it is recruiting volunteers to help or people to participate in the fundraising.  Just like high school players are potential prospects to recruit, every individual in the world is a potential prospect to be part of the fundraising experience.  Another similarity just as obvious as this one is comes down to communication.  Both fundraising and recruiting require a great deal of communication.  Communication can occur through e-mail, telephone, face-to-face or mail.  Coaches communicate with prospect athletes just as coaches should communicate with potential fundraising volunteers or participants.  Communication is important in both aspects.  Communicating is a way to show the prospects that they are wanted, valued, and important to the task ahead.  This is true in both recruiting and fundraising.     

Also, I found it interesting how the authors associated fundraising and recruiting through prospect qualifications.  The qualifications for recruits may be different than those you look for in a fundraising prospect, but the idea that both prospects need to possess certain qualities or qualification relates the two ideas.  These qualities or qualifications make certain that the recruit can impact the program just like the fundraising prospect can impact the fundraising event any way possible and in a positive manner.                    

Lastly, I would like to comment on the everlasting relationship that can come from recruiting and fundraising.  Through recruiting, coaches can form relationships with athletes, other coaches, and parents.  These relationships sometimes can carry on for many years and can benefit all parties involved.  This goes the same for those who are involved in fundraising.  Not only do the coaches and the program benefit from donors and fundraising, but those donating and volunteering also can benefit from the experience.  Through fundraising, many relationships are formed and built, and these relationships can last a long time while benefitting everyone.         

Chris Paul's Endorsement Deals

Chris Paul is the starting point guard for the New Orleans Hornets, an NBA Western Conference team.  He is the face of the franchise and a beloved player and person in the New Orleans community.  He may not be the biggest name in the NBA, but he is a very popular NBA star among many fans and is one of the most well respected point guards to play in the league today.  Due to his influence and dedication in the New Orleans community and his avid skills on the court, Chris is a prime target for endorsement deals. 

Chris has endorsement deals with the Brand Jordan, Right Guard, Nike, Upper Deck and Powerade Ion 4.  Paul has also been on the cover of the video game NBA 2K8.  It is said that Michael Jordan himself picks the players that he feels would best represent his brand.  Therefore, for Chris Paul to be representing the Brand Jordan says a lot about his basketball skills and who he is as a person off the court.  For someone like Michael Jordan to pick him shows the respect that Jordan has for Paul.  Paul has his own shoe through the Michael Jordan brand, and it is called the Jordan CP3II.  Obviously the Brand Jordan is highly relatable to basketball and the NBA.  It only makes sense for someone like Chris Paul, who is a respected and outstanding basketball player, to represent a brand like Jordan.  Right Guard deodorant felt that Chris Paul was the perfect candidate to represent their product.  They felt that he could lead the resurgence of the product.  “Mr. Gubitz said he hoped the relationship with Mr. Paul, 23, and the brand's new status as the NBA's official deodorant would help it rebuild "locker room credibility" among younger men, something he said has likely slipped in recent years as an ownership change has scaled back the brand's advertising and sponsorships” (Mullman, 2008, para. 4).  Right Guard feels that Chris is respected around the league, community, and even world, which makes him a great pick to advertise their product.            

There are also several events that Paul has taken part in or organized.  In his hometown, he created the CP3 Partnership in concurrence with The West-Salem Foundation to support certain charities.  These charities included Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Feed the Children organization.  He also launched, along with his family, the “West-Salem Weekend”.  It was a four day event that included a concert by Ludacris, a dedication of a new learning center, games with special needs children, collected food for the poor, hosted a dinner party, ran a youth basketball camp, and a pro-am bowling tournament, that included players like Lebron James and Dwayne Wade.  Paul also took his charitable duties to the streets of New Orleans.  He took initiative to help with the Katrina disaster by helping out in the community.  He also donated food and bicycles to the less privileged.  

Visit Chris Paul’s Official Website: http://www.chrispaul3.com     

Reference:

Mullman, J. (2008). Right Guard Thinks Chris Paul Is Right Man for Endorsement Deal. Retrieved September 20, 2011 from http://adage.com/article/news/guard-thinks-chris-paul-man-endorsement-deal/127679/

The Olympic Games

In the Beijing Olympic Games, it was difficult at times for journalists, reporters, and media to gain easy access into the games.  With the rules and regulations in China, sometimes it became very difficult for journalists to report the games.  China had a great luxurious media center for reporters to work, watch the games, and have a place to relax and enjoy their time.  However, in order to enjoy these luxuries, they must past rigorous security, get a visa, and credentials.  This was difficult for some smaller area journalists.  I believe that the London games will be easier for reporters to report.  There will be less pressure on the reporters to accommodate and adjust to the British politics and regulations, than it was for them in China.  London officials have already stated that they will take a more laid-back but secure approach to the Games, which will be completely different from the strict and tight security of the Beijing Games.    

A challenge for the London Games and the media comes with the time difference.  When it came to the games in Beijing, the morning time for Beijing was prime time for those where in the United States.  Therefore, Americans were able to watch the events live and a majority of the major events were held in the morning in Beijing.  For example, Michael Phelps swam most of his meets in the morning, which allowed for Americans to tune in live.  For the Olympic Games in London, the time difference does not benefit the United States.  What would be prime time here in the United States, would be the middle of the night for the Games in London.  Therefore, a lot of tape-delayed events will have to be played in the United States.  The last time they had a lot of tape-delayed events on television were the Sydney Games, with a 15 hour time difference.  NBC saw its ratings drop unexpectedly low do to this conflict.  The media thought that the audience would not care if it were tape-delayed or live.  Therefore, they were not concerned about it.  However, when they saw their ratings drop in the Sydney Games, they realized it might make a difference.  The London Games will again test how American networks televise the Games.  With all the media outlets that are available now and a year from now, it will be difficult for tape-delayed televised events to gain a large audience.  For example, someone can wake up in the morning and find the results of all the events online.  Or they can even watch the events online live, rather than wait for the tape-delayed version.  This will be a huge challenge for London and the United States to coordinate the difference in time.  Also, we have to think of how the journalists and reporters are affected.  Their deadline for articles and news reports will be at odd times when they are in London.  Like stated before, prime time for the United States is the middle of the night in London.  It will be very interesting to see how U.S. journalists and reporters react and adapt to this.  We may see journalists and reporters report more on inside stories rather than the highlights of the events themselves.  We will see in a year the approach that American reporters and journalists take on the 2012 Olympic Games. 

Visit the Official Site of the 2012 London Olympic Games: www.london2012.com/

Technology in Sports

Technological advances and the inventions of new technology devices have greatly impacted the professional sports world.  Information Technology is one area that has drastically grown in sports, and has changed the way sports managers and organizations function.  The use of the Internet, World Wide Web, and computer software has become a necessity in order to compete in the sport industry.  We have seen how these advances have impacted the media and sports communication industry.  They have created outlets and avenues for fans to stay connected with their favorite athletes, teams, or sport.  The media coverage as we know it today would not be where it is had it not been for the advances in technology. 

Technology is also being used to improve the actual game of sports.  It is used to improve the game for fans, coaches, athletes, and game officials.  An advance in stadium developments and high definition television has allowed fans to be able to better enjoy their experiences of the game and stay connected to the game in all aspects.  Digital technology has helped players and coaches improve in their profession by developing tools that generate an in depth analysis of specific areas.  Also, game officials are able to use instant replay videos and wireless technology to improve their calls on the field.

The Internet is the most widely used information technological device that has been created.  It is not only used by the every day American, but businesses, corporations, leagues, conferences, and committees all use the Internet to gain vital information and stay connected.  For example, the National Football Association’s regional offices are linked together through a single network, which allows them to communicate cheaply and effectively.  Also, professional sports teams and organizations all have websites that help in marketing and merchandise sales along with supplying viewers with information, news, and media broadcasting options.  Also the internet can provide fans with merchandise and easy ways to get their team gear. 

I must comment on the technology advances in sports arenas and stadiums.  The new stadiums are being built as state-of-the-art facilities.  They have the newest and best technology that is currently on the market.  Take the Dallas Cowboys Stadium for example.  In this stadium, technology allows fans to email photos, find lost children and stolen equipment, receive wireless coupons, and enjoy the 2,800 television monitors throughout the stadium.  Also, the stadium holds one of the largest video boards in any professional stadium with a 60 yard long digital screen.  Almost all advertisements throughout the stadium are controlled and displayed digitally.  We can also look at the new Yankee Stadium.  I can only imagine what the facilities and arenas will look like for the 2012 Olympic Games.  The Olympics always seem to fascinate me when it comes to the facilities and technology used.  China really had some great facilities and awesome stadiums that they had built for when the Olympics were held there. 

Other technological devices that have impacted sports include ESPN’s GameCast and K-Zone, on the field cameras, instant replay, the Hawk-Eye system used in tennis, and digital video technology such as the Dartfish system.  I could go on and on about the impact of technology and sports, and the new devices out there that have contributed to the growth and development of sports.  I am anxious to see what comes next in technology development for the sports industry.   

Newspaper Comparison: The Australian v. USA Today

The international newspaper that I took a look at was The Australian.  The Australian is the biggest-selling national newspaper in Australia.  It is a daily newspaper that covers everything from national news to world news to business and sports.  The American paper that I looked at was USA Today.  The USA Today is a national American daily newspaper that is one of the largest national newspapers in the United States.  I wanted to compare two very similar newspapers in their respected countries in order to get a good comparison of the news covered, what links were provided, and the type of advertising that is apparent.      

I was pleasantly surprised that both national newspapers had 9/11 news as soon as the webpage opened up.  I was not surprised the USA Today was covering a story about 9/11 but I was a little surprised that The Australian was.  The headline for the USA Today story about 9/11 was “9/11: How do we tell this story?” and The Australian’s headline story was “US hunts three over 9/11 plot.”  Even though these are two totally different stories, they are similar in the fact that they are both about 9/11.  This goes to show that 9/11 not only had and has an affect on the United States, but it has affected the entire world.  Some other news on the top of the homepage for The Australian was news regarding asylum-seekers immigrating into the country, Wall Streets struggle, and a cricket milestone by Shaun Marsh.  Other USA Today news that made the top of the website’s homepage included terror suspects and more 9/11 topics, updates on college football games, and unemployment issues for the United States.      

Next, I took a look at each newspapers sports section.  As I have learned, different countries seem to have different sports that are popular.  This would reflect in what the different newspapers cover in their sports section.  The Australian covered sports like Australian football, cricket, and rugby, while the USA Today was covering college and professional football, baseball, NASCAR, and MMA fighting.  When I took a look at The Australian, I felt completely out of my realm while trying to read up on their sports stories.  There was one article that I could not tell what sport it was about after looking at the picture.  So I continued to read the entire article and still had no idea what sport it was talking about.  After some research, I found out that it was Australian football.  I was unable to distinguish this from the article itself because it is not a sport, team, or area that I am familiar with.  Comparing the two sports websites from these national newspapers, I found a lot of differences.  Not only were the sports covered very different, but the entire set-up was different as well.  The Australian consisted of just articles after articles to read.  The USA Today, however, had articles, scores from every game in every sport being played today, photos galleries, and videos.  I found one similar sport covered on both websites, and that was The U.S. Open.  However, on the USA Today the U.S. Open was a headline, while on The Australian it was at the bottom of the page. 

 

I felt that most of the links provided on both The Australian’s website and The USA Today’s website were fairly similar.  They both provided links to sports, business, health, news, travel, weather, and a few others.  I also really did not come across any huge differences in advertisements.  Both websites had similar advertisements regarding to hotels, insurance, and cars.  These were different in the sense they were not the same hotels, insurances, or cars, but the idea of the advertisements were pretty much the same.

Both of these newspapers had their similarities and differences.  However, they both were formed to capture the attention and interest of their targets.  I felt that both newspapers were successful in doing this.  Just by gazing and glancing at The Australian, I have a better understanding and awareness at their interests in sports and what is important news in their country.   

Don Meredith Memorial

Don Meredith is most remembered for his impact on the game of football, both as a player and as a broadcaster.  Meredith played in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys from 1960-1968.  After the NFL, he became part of the original broadcasters for Monday Night Football, along with Howard Cosell and Keith Jackson, who was later replaced by Frank Gifford.  During his broadcasting years, Meredith was known for his humor and wit along just having fun doing his job.  Fred Gaulli, producer of Monday Night Football for many years, says "Don played that perfect foil to Cosell," Gaudelli said. "He was the first guy to bring irreverence to the booth. He didn't demean the broadcast, but he didn't make it church, he didn't take the game as gospel. He brought a fun aspect to the thing. Frank Gifford kind of did it a serious way, and Don let it be known that it didn't have to be one prototype"(Pucine, 2010, para. 6).  Meredith was able to take a new approach to broadcasting by showing that it doesn’t have to be a grueling job, but it can be fun and there is no right or wrong way to do it.  Everyone can put their own personality into broadcasting and sport communication professions.  Sport communication is about putting your own twist to ideas and styles.  This is what Meredith did when he broadcasted games. 

    

Meredith was part of the Monday Night Football crew for 12 seasons.  He helped make Monday Night Football what it is today.  He helped it grow and become a special event for football fans and the NFL.  Former Cowboys executive Gil Brandt said, "Monday Night Football was extremely beneficial to him and pro football because I think Monday Night Football with the three of those people really opened up new avenues to a TV viewer to pro football"(Watkins, 2010, para. 5).  This statement emphasizes the importance that Meredith not only had on broadcasting, but the entire NFL as an entity.  He helped the idea of broadcasting grow along with the NFL.  His impact, along with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford, was beyond what they could have imagined when they first started.  Meredith was able to impact not only football fans but an entire sport.  We will always be thankful for what Meredith did for the sport of football, the NFL and the profession of broadcasting.  It is only fitting to end this memorial in the words of Don Meredith himself: “Turn out the lights, the party's over."       

References:

Watkins, C. (2010). Cowboys remember Don Meredith fondly. Retrieved September 2, 2011 from ESPNDallas.com. 
Pucine, D. (2010). Don Meredith, who infused ‘Monday Night Football’ with humor for 12 seasons, dies at 72. Retrieved September 2, 2011 from Los Angeles Times at http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-don-meredith-20101207,0,4648552.story

Profile

Name: Amanda Ritzler

Current City: Cambridge,OH

College: Ohio Dominican University (2009)

Current Employer: Gametime Dezigns       

Hobbies: Friends, Anything sports related, Family, Being outdoors, and Traveling

Favorite Sports Teams: Atlanta Braves, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Hornets, Ohio State Buckeyes

Highlights from My Resume:

EDUCATION

August 2009-Present                                                 Tiffin University                       Tiffin, OH

            • Pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Sport  

              Management

August 2005-May 2009                              Ohio Dominican University          Columbus, OH     

            • Bachelor Degree of Science in Sport Management

            • Summa Cum Laude

PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE                      

August 2010-March 2011                          Tiffin Calvert High School                     Tiffin, OH

            • Girl’s Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach

September 2009-May 2011                               Tiffin University                               Tiffin, OH

            • Tiffin University Softball Student Assistant Coach

August 2009-May 2011                     Hopewell-Loudon High School                    Bascom, OH

            • Girl’s Junior Varsity Basketball and Softball Head Coach

OTHER RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

Fall 2009 & 2010                                                Tiffin University                              Tiffin, OH

            • Tiffin University Fall Softball Classic Coordinator

June 2008-October 2008                      Talis Sports and Event Marketing      Columbus, OH

            • Internship

Summer 2007                                     Assisted High School Athletic Director          Tiffin, OH

            • Practicum experience of 80 hours

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Ohio Dominican University

            • 2005-2009 Member of the Basketball and Softball Team                            

            • 2008-2009 Chief Financial Officer of the Sport Management Society

AWARDS

Ohio Dominican University             

            • 2006-2007 Student of the Year in Sport Management in the Division of Business 

            • 2007-2008, 2008-2009 All-American Scholar-Athlete

            • 2008 South Division Second Team All-Conference Honors in Softball

            • 2009 First Team All-Conference Honors and Team MVP in Softball

            • 2007-2008, 2008-2009 NAIA National Appearance in Basketball

            • 2008-2009 Second Team All-Conference Honors in Basketball

Autobiography

My name is Amanda Ritzler and I currently reside in a small town in southern Ohio called Cambridge.  I just recently moved here in the past couple months to pursue an internship opportunity.  Before that I was living in Tiffin, OH, which is where I am originally from.  I currently work at Gametime Dezigns, which is a customized screen printing business I graduated college at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, OH in  2009.  I played both basketball and softball at ODU for all 4 years.  Once I graduated, I was torn on where to go from there.  I have always dreamed of playing sports, and so once that was over, I was a little lost in where to go from there.  Therefore, I chose to further my sports education by applying to the MBA program with a concentration in sport management at Tiffin University.  I must say it has been one of the best decisions I could have made.  I have had many opportunities come about with that decision.  I was able to have the opportunity to help coach TU’s softball team, as well as coaching high school basketball. 

Coaching was a great way to step into the professional level of the sports industry.  It introduced me to a lot of opportunities, philosophies, ideas and connections.  However, I had to move on from coaching because I will soon be starting my internship with the Girls Basketball Association (GBA).  GBA is an organization that runs basketball tournaments all over the state of Ohio and neighboring states for traveling girl’s basketball teams.  It is a growing business that has been around for 10 years now.  I am very excited to see where this opportunity will take me in my career development.  I hope this will lead me to be a business and sport manager, which is what I want to do.  I would like to eventually own my own sports facility.  I feel like I am headed in the right direction and I hope to continue to strive toward that goal.