CT Sun sales position

Are you a recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management looking for an exciting career? If so, the WNBA Connecticut Sun may have a position for you as a Connecticut Sun Sales Representative.
Candidates should be outgoing and energetic professionals that are self-motivated, organized and detail oriented.
Must have strong verbal and written communication skills, the ability to meet deadlines and balance multiple tasks as well as work effectively in a team environment.
Responsibilities will include selling of season, group, flex and individual tickets via partnerships with sponsors, outside vendors and local and regional corporations within assigned territory. Following -up on all leads, however, primarily making cold calls and developing relationships/partnerships with regional civic and corporate clients to generate leads, formulize proposals and interact with diverse levels of individuals. Meet individually established sales objectives. The Connecticut Sun is the only professional sports team in Connecticut and that sometimes requires working long and unusual hours including: late nights, weekends, and holidays…and of course all home game days!
A successful candidate will meet or exceed the following criteria:
Bachelor’s degree and/or at least 2 years of previous professional sales experience. Must have one-year experience formalizing sales proposals. Must possess excellent customer service skills, intermediate experience with Microsoft office products and preferably experience with ARCHTICS ticketing systems
For consideration, please submit an on-line application at http://mohegansun.com/sitelet/spirit-aquai

Internship- University Illinois

FALL 2010 GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS – UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
The Department of Recreation, Sports and Tourism in partnership with Campus Recreation and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announce the newly founded Illini Scholars Program. As Illini Scholars, students will be chosen for various assistantships within Athletic Administration or Campus Recreation. Current positions exist in Sports Information, Ticketing, Development and Recreation.
For academic criteria and more information about our program please visit our Graduate Admissions web-site: http://www.rst.uiuc.edu/grad/admission.htm
Applicants are encouraged to apply for our graduate admissions by January 15, 2010 in order to receive full consideration. Applicants should specify interest for consideration as an Illini Scholar. Early admission will be contingent upon hiring with one of our partners.
Assistantships include full-tuition waiver and stipend.
The Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism is very proud of its commitment to diversity and encourages all minorities to apply.
For detailed information and detailed job descriptions, please contact:
Don Hardin
Illini Scholars Coordinator
Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism University of Illinois
104 Huff Hall
1206 South Fourth Street
Champaign, Illinois 61820
Office: 217 244-3708 (Room 307 Armory)
Mobile: 217 649-4810

Position in RI

The Licensing Resource Group is a leading, full-service trademark licensing and brand management company with over 150 partners across the country. Our entrepreneurial spirit and desire to find new and better methods of protecting and promoting our client’s brands has helped hundreds of colleges, universities, athletic conferences and special properties nationwide achieve greater brand awareness and royalty revenues. From customer service and full account management to creative marketing and merchandising, we infuse spirit, pride and dedication into everything we do.
General Position Description:
Seeking a goal-oriented and motivated University Brand Representative for our Bristol, Rhode Island office.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Develop and maintain relationships with partner institutions, licensees, and retailers in local markets - Perform marketplace surveys to maximize opportunities and minimize problems - Research and analyze partners’ licensee base to determine trends and opportunities for growth - Develop and pursue business plans with partners to increase revenue opportunities - Execute local market retail and promotional programs - Work to develop, maintain, and accomplish partner-specific goals/objectives - Develop and maintain relationships with key on-and-off-campus decision makers - Prepare and assist in giving presentations on various licensing topics to partners and prospects - Other duties as assigned by manager
Ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s preferred), 3-5 years of hands-on experience, a working knowledge of college athletics, a strong desire to work in the collegiate sports industry, and impeccable organizational, interpersonal, creative, computer, client service and communications skills.
High-energy, detail-oriented and team-playing candidates should submit their resume, cover letter, salary requirements and three (3) letters of reference to:
Rick Merriam
Licensing Resource Group
495 Hope Street, Suite 5
Bristol, RI 02809 E-mail to rickm@lrgusa.com
No phone calls please. LRG offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Evening and weekend hours are necessary. Frequent travel is required (expenses paid). Visit www.lrgusa.com to learn more about our company and industry.

Facility Management Position in China

General Manager
Major Arena/Stadium – China
Excellent negotiable salary and benefits package
A unique opportunity to join one of the world’s leading sports and entertainment
companies who own and run stadia, arenas and franchises across the globe. China
is vital to their growth strategy and this arena forms the platform for developing
a network of similar venues throughout the country.
This particular arena will provide the centrepiece for international live
performances, sporting events, family shows, commercial and retail activities,
together with a potential base for further franchise development.
The General Manager will be responsible for the overall management and
day-to-day operation of the arena and its future development in line with
the global business plan and strategy.
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:
• Experience of managing a large/international venue with full P&L responsibility
• Management of licensing, health & safety and operating procedures.
• Relevant experience of managing contractors and outside agents
• Commercial acumen as evidenced by a track record of negotiating sponsorship
and other methods of revenue generation.
Personal attributes required:
• Pro-active leadership and excellent people management skills
• Strong PR presence and highly developed communications skills
• A commitment to delivering the highest standards of service
• Drive and ambition.
If you see this as a significant career opportunity where personal
advancement will accompany the successful development of the business,
then please contact:
Stuart Cullum – Senior Practice Manager on +44 203 056 4013,
mobile +44 7966 827 413 or email: stuart.cullum@mrgpeople.co.uk

White House Sport Office

June 16th, 2009
WASHINGTON - Today, President Barack Obama announced the formation of the White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport.
This permanent White House office will promote the values of the Olympic Movement and encourage increased youth participation in athletics. The primary function of the Office will be to enhance awareness of the Olympic Movement through promotion of its fundamental principles at the federal level.
President Obama said, "It is an important goal of my administration to give our nation's children every possible tool they need to grow, learn and succeed in life. A key part of this is increasing access to healthy, constructive activities like sports for our nation's children. Too many American kids - particularly those in urban areas - have no access to organized sporting activities. Sports are an important way to instill values, judgment and teamwork in our nation's kids, and this new office reflects our commitment to giving all our children a chance to thrive. As the International Olympic Committee moves forward with their selection process we hope that this new office can serve as a model for youth involvement worldwide."
The White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport will:
* Recommend federal policies and programs to the President to enhance opportunities and access for youth participation in sport, with particular focus on youth in urban areas* Foster and encourage youth sporting, educational and cultural events involving Olympic values-based programs and the participation of U.S. Olympians and Paralympians
The Office will also work in coordination with appropriate executive departments and agencies, including the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, to:
* Engage in outreach to state and local government officials, nonprofit organizations and the private sector* Coordinate federal resources, and act as liaison to, any organizing committee for an Olympic and Paralympic Games hosted in the United States* And work closely with the United States Olympic Committee and national sport governing bodies to increase access and opportunities for youth to participate in sports.

This office could help increase the number of potential jobs and opportunities in youth sports.
Gil-

Your involvement is needed-PHIT Act of 2009

For your convenience, a sample action letter and links to your U.S. Representatives and Senators is below.

“The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act of 2009”
(H.R. 2105)
A bill to promote increased physical activity to improve health in America.

What is PHIT?
PHIT is legislation pending in Congress to allow for reimbursement of physical activity expenses using pre-tax dollars. PHIT would reduce the costs of physical activity to encourage healthier lifestyles.

How does PHIT work?
PHIT would allow taxpayers to place up to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for families a year in existing pre-tax medical accounts for reimbursement of physical activity expenses; lower costs will promote active lifestyles and improve the health of Americans.

Covered expenses include:
· Youth camp & physical activity fees
· Membership and dues in a health club
· Exercise/fitness classes or instruction (personal trainer)
· Sports league fees (adult and youth)
· Marathon/Triathlon registration fees
· Equipment used exclusively for participation in physical exercise/activities

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP…Please forward this email to your affiliates—leagues, coaches, families for action. Contact Congress now and let them know you want PHIT included in healthcare reform as a form of prevention. A sample action letter along with links to U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators is provided below.

HERE IS THE LINK TO FIND YOUR U.S. SENATORS…For a complete list of United States Senators including their name, address, phone numbers, and email addresses and home pages. http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

HERE IS THE LINK TO FIND YOUR U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES…For a complete list of United States Congressmen including their name, address, phone numbers, and email addresses and home pages. http://www.house.gov/writerep/

PHIT's goal to encourage active, healthy lifestyles and prevent illness make it an attractive option as Congress considers ways to reform health care and reduce medical expenditures. Let's blast the U.S. Congress with emails, faxes, and phone calls to support PHIT.

For additional information on PHIT please go to www.ncys.org/govrelations.html or go to www.getphit.sgma.com for details.

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HERE IS THE SAMPLE ACTION LETTER FOR YOU TO SEND TO YOUR U.S. REPRESENTATIVES AND U.S. SENATORS.

Date ________________

Dear Representative or Senator ______________________:

I want to commend you and your colleagues for making Health Care Reform a priority and ask for your support of initiatives to promote physical activity to improve health and reduce health care costs in America. Legislation introduced in the House, H.R. 2105 “The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act of 2009” will prevent illness and improve health in America by encouraging more active lifestyles. It is well known that increased physical activity and a better diet are the keys to avoid sickness and a more healthy life. I hope you will support the PHIT legislation as it works through committees to Congressional floor votes.

Changes to our health care model are long overdue. Our current system focuses almost exclusively on treating illness once you become sick which has led to significantly higher medical costs. As Congress works to reform our health care system, it is critical to include initiatives that will lead to more active, healthy lifestyles in order to reduce future spending. PHIT will increase physical activity in America by making it more affordable. Much like our health care system as a whole, pre-tax medical accounts are primarily limited to reimbursements of expenses once you become sick. PHIT changes this outdated approach by making prevention of illness through physical activity a reimbursable expense. If we continue down the current path, the CDC projects that by 2015 $1 of $5 generated in the U.S. will be spent on health care. Our economy simply cannot afford this expense; we need to do more to promote better health in America. A 2003 report by the World Health Organization reinforced the economic benefits of physical activity in the U.S.: “Investing in physical activity programs will lead to economic savings…in the U.S. an investment of $1 in physical activity leads to $3.20 in medical cost savings.” It’s no coincidence that the dramatic growth in health care spending has paralleled the rise in obesity and sedentary lifestyles in America. Currently 2 out of 3 people in the U.S. are overweight or obese. With the incidence of expensive chronic illnesses significantly higher among the obese, we must encourage physical activity to reverse the trend toward sedentary lifestyles and obesity in order to reduce health care expenditures. America needs to get PHIT! Support prevention through increased physical activity. Thank you for your time and consideration of this proposal to help address America’s health care problem.

Sincerely,
Name
Title
Organization

Rooney Rule

The NFL has adopted the Rooney Rule for front office personnel. Currently five minorities occupy top executive positions in the league. While I support hiring the best person for the job, just having playing experience does not mean someone can be the CEO of a billion dollar company. The athlete landscape is replete with former players who are broke becuase they were unable to run their own financial affairs, let alone be responsible to numerous stakeholders such as employees, sponsors, etc... Through training an executive can be born. Thus, any athlete who has played, taken courses, worked at the lowest level up to the top gets my nod and support. In contrast, I remeber a former player indicating that when he retired he wanted to be a General Manager of an NFL team. The athlete had not graduated from college, but felt that he should be given the shot at a GM position. My feeling is that anyone, regardless of their background, who has paid their dues should be given a chance. If you have a degree in sport management, have taken a large number of business classes, worked all the grunt jobs (i.e. pulling the tarp if you know what I mean), and paid your dues, you should be given preference over anyone else who is given the interview just becuase they fit a certain statistical category.

What are your thoughts?
Gil-