In this episode of My First Job in Sports, Dr. G. and I spoke with Luca De laPena. Luca currently works for Austin FC of the MLS as a CRM specialist, providing data and analytics support to various business aspects of the team to help generate revenue and maintain their existing customer base. A graduate of the S3 Sports Management program at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, Luca noted that he has always been good with numbers and enjoys solving problems mathematically. He has turned this skill into a practical platform for his first job in sports with the Sacramento Kings and then with Austin FC. Luca also discussed the value of networking and establishing a relationship with a mentor in the pursuit of his first position and current role. Luca also describes himself an introvert and discussed how he was able to overcome his shyness and establish goals in pursuit of his first job and his current one.

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet.

It was sort of a homecoming for Dr. G. on Episode 34 of My First Job in Sports. Demarieh Wesley, who is currently working for the New Jersey Devils was our guest. It just so happens that Demarieh attended Hampton University, which is where Dr. G. was an under-grad. Needless to say there were a lot of inside Hampton references.

If there was any single message that came from the show is that Demarieh got involved. Throughout the interview he stressed the importance of getting involved on all sorts of things that were both academic and non-academic.

It’s easy to see why Demarieh has established himself in marketing and sales for the NJ Devils. Currently, Demarieh works as an Inside Sales Associate for the New Jersey Devils. Before joining the Devils, he completed internships with the Chicago Bulls as a Membership Service Associate, at Southern Methodist University as a Football Operations Intern, and at the Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center as a Facility Operations Intern. He also worked with Position Sports, participating in the Dream Program, where he spent a week in Phoenix, Arizona, assisting at the NASCAR Championship.

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet.

For Episode 33 of My First Job in Sports, Dr. G. and I spoke with Carissa Sweigart, the Director of Culture & Wellbeing at Acushnet Company. This episode is part of our Special "Get in The Game" editions of MFJIS. For those who may not be familiar, Acushnet Brands is the parent company of several leading names in the golf industry, including Titleist, FootJoy, Pinnacle, Vokey Wedges, and Scotty Cameron Putters, to name a few.
At the beginning of the show, Dr. G. and I discussed the excellent opportunities available in the golf business, particularly in working with major brands in the industry. During our conversation, we covered topics such as finding a good mentor and the importance of focusing on one person at an event to make a strong impression. We also talked about the value of just getting involved at any level and being open to various potential opportunities. Carissa emphasized that you don’t have to love or even be familiar with a sport to carve out a successful career in this business.

My First Job in Sports is Presented by SBRnet.