BSBA Alumni Spotlight - Lydia Jules

A graduate from Howard University (May 2022) where she studied Strategic, Legal and Management Communications, Lydia Jules is currently working through the Haslam Sports Group Fellowship program. Lydia was a member of our inaugural cohort (2021) and has the goal of climbing the ladder on the legal side of the sport and entertainment business. Young in her career, Lydia's experience is incredibly diverse having already gained experience in intercollegiate athletics and professional sports before beginning the Haslam Sports Group Fellowship. Read more about Lydia's experience below!

1.?How was your experience going through the Black Sport Business Academy? What does it mean to you that there is a program that exists to invest in your development and ascension into this business?

My experience going through the Black Sport Business Academy was a special one, to say the least. I don't think I fully appreciated it then, but we were given such a great opportunity (especially just coming out of COVID) to connect with peers and like-minded individuals through such an isolating and uncertain time. This opportunity really geared me and the fellow members in my cohort with the tools necessary to thrive within the cutthroat industry that is sports! Not only did we learn from incredibly established individuals, but we also learned from one another. The precedent that was set through my time in the program is definitely a major part of how I have been able to thrive in my current position today!

2.?What were your key takeaways from your experience in the Academy that you feel contributed to your personal and professional growth?

The biggest takeaway that I received from the Academy was that not only do I need to show up, but I need to show up prepared and ready to perform at my highest level. At the time, it seemed daunting, but having to prepare for each speaker, being awake and alert at 6 A.M. every Monday morning, and making sure I was engaged during each call, all while juggling work/school was truly a commitment. However, if I've learned anything over the past few years, I've realized that in order to build discipline, I have to put myself in situations where I'd be given the chance to flex that muscle, and this program gave me the opportunity to do just that.

3.?Last year you were selected to participate in the Haslam Sports Group Fellowship working with the Cleveland Browns and Columbus Crew - a program you are still involved in. Talk about your experience in the program.?What have been key takeaways from this experience that have contributed to your knowledge and understanding of the industry??

When I began this fellowship, I knew I wanted to go to law school, so, pursuing the legal department seemed like a no-brainer. I thought that since I was legal communication major in college, I would be fully prepared for whatever this experience had in store for me – long story short, I was wrong. I have been challenged and tested in more ways than one. However, through this experience, I've realized how important it is to stay the course. Though the process may seem long and arduous, it is necessary to reach whatever goal it is that you may have. Learning how to fail and keep going, understanding that I will never know everything, and being open to critique, are all things that I am continuing to work through daily. Though I am better than when I once started, I still have a long way to go!

4.?What area of the sports and entertainment industry do you hope to be in long-term? Why?

I'm actually not entirely sure where I want to be and though that once made me feel uneasy, I am embracing the journey more than I am the destination. For example, I have been pulling out parts of my experience that I enjoy and making notes of them along the way. I know I enjoy the analytical and detail-oriented side of things, but I also know that I have an extremely creative mind! My hope is that I will be able to utilize both of those aspects of who I am and insert them into what I do. All in all, though I am not completely sure where I would like to land, I know that I am going to continue to press forward and enjoy the process along the way.

5.?What fascinates you about this industry?

I think that one of the most fascinating things about the sports industry is the sheer excitement that you experience on game days. Whether it is a well-anticipated matchup or an intense rivalry, the energy exerted by the fans never gets old. This is definitely something unique to the entertainment industry but even more so specific to the world of sports. Another idea that fascinates me is the work ethic that you experience not just on the center stage but especially behind the scenes. The athletes that show up day in and day out to perform at their absolute highest level are supported by staff that is ready and willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Coupling both groups of people into this one space easily cultivates such contagious energy that makes the grind that much more worth it!

6.?What do you want to learn more about in the sport and entertainment business?

My biggest focus right now is to learn where creativity and the law merge within the industry of sports. I am interested in not only drafting contracts but also the thought that goes into the deal even before we reach out to prospective clients, service providers, vendors, etc. Gaining a better understanding of the holistic process will inevitably aid me in the pursuit of a solidified position in sports—whatever that may be!

7.?What's next for you?

Ideally continuing to walk down the path on the legal side of professional sports. Hope to have a sense of the next steps soon!!