Closing Statement
There are pivotal times in every career which test a person’s commitment to their occupation. While it is easy to enjoy a career at its peak, adversity is the greatest test of one’s love and passion for their job. The most difficult times often provide the defining point in a person’s career. In these critical moments, the professional must choose to persevere or walk away from the occupation they hold.
My ‘make-or-break’ moment occurred seven years into my tenure as head wrestling coach at Hazen High School. After taking over a failed program in 2009, I was quick to establish a winning tradition. Upon earning the first league title in over a decade, placing several athletes on the state podium, and developing the second state finalist in school history, Hazen wrestling had reached historical heights. A program which had once struggled to qualify athletes to the state tournament anticipated a top 10 team finish in the 2015-2016 season.
While the team had become a formidable contender, the culture of the program was deeply flawed. After graduating several core members, the program began to regress as a sub-culture of drug and alcohol abuse began to surface. The squad which was projected to be the best in school history imploded leading up to the state tournament. To this day, raising a program to the pinnacle of its existence only to watch it self-destruct has been the greatest test of commitment to my career in athletics.
Despite feelings of disappointment, resentment, and betrayal, I decided to continue my tenure with Hazen wrestling. Although it was not an easy decision, it was clear there was still life in the program I had worked so hard to build. I began reflecting on the broken culture of the team and realized my leadership would be the primary catalyst for program revival. This epiphany was the first step in redefining myself as a leader. Unsure which direction to turn, I began looking for continuing education opportunities. Searching for a program benefitting coaches and athletics administrators, I discovered the MCAA program at Concordia University Irvine and enrolled in the summer of 2017.
The MCAA program has reframed my perspective as a leader in athletics. Once believing success was measured only in wins, I now realize sport provides the greatest platform for teaching lessons in life. I have found greater meaning in my career and have become more effective in my practice through the MCAA program. During my enrollment, I was asked to refine my leadership style, articulate my leadership philosophy, and develop the critical foundations of a successful athletics program. This work has been instrumental in revitalizing the winning culture of Hazen wrestling. The MCAA program has allowed me to advance as a leader in sport and has helped me develop the skills and knowledge needed to sustain a culture of excellence in athletics.
My enrollment in the MCAA program has allowed me to establish a clear vision of a successful athletics department while preparing me for career in athletics administration. Examining topics related to administrative procedure, risk management, program compliance, and finance etc., I have gained a comprehensive understanding of athletics from a macro-perspective. In addition to exploring the operational mechanisms of the athletics department, the MCAA program teaches students the importance of presenting the brand to sustain the success of an organization. Successful programs perpetuate a culture of excellence by establishing a positive identity to distribute to the consumer. Especially at the collegiate level, branding and marketing have a direct impact on the success of the athletics program.
There are peaks and valleys in every profession; how a person responds to career adversity reflects their true level of commitment. Catastrophic failure brought me to question my desire to continue in the field of athletics. While it would have been easy to quit, determination drove me to experience profound personal and professional growth through the MCAA program. This transformative journey revitalized my enthusiasm for athletics, and inspired the change needed to advance in the profession. Moving forward, I will strive for continual growth to maximize my potential as a leader in sport. I aim to earn a position as an athletics director, and to solidify my vision of the all-inclusive athletics program described in
Vital Components of the Effective Athletics Department. Looking back, I realize hardship drove me to a better place in my professional career. Without failure, I would not have found the MCAA program which has shaped me to be the leader I am today. I am extremely grateful for my experience in the Masters in Coaching and Athletics Administration program at Concordia University Irvine.