Generations of Mentorship

When I was in grade school, I adored my dance teacher, Darlene Owens. Man, she was tough and expected a lot from us - especially during competition season - but from the time I was five until I graduated from high school, she was someone that I hoped to impress every week when I came to class.

When I was a cheerleader, I could not get enough of my coach, Grace Caravaggio. She was intense and expected a lot from us - in and out of the classroom - but from the moment I made the high school squad until I graduated high school, I idolized her. You never wanted to disappoint Coach.

When I was a college student, I drank the Professor Michael Veley "Kool-Aid." He was serious and expected a lot from us - in the work world and as campus leaders - but from the minute I was admitted into the Sport Management program, I have always wanted to be a student that he was proud of and that represented Syracuse in a positive way.

When I worked in the media relations department with Sue Edson at SU, I admired her work ethic and drive - her energy is contagious! She was passionate and expected a lot from her staff - even student volunteers on game days - but she has been one of my role models for females in #SportsBiz and media since day one.

When I did my Senior Capstone internship under Killeen Mullen at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, I remember crying in the bathroom during one of my first events. She was demanding, yet constructive, the absolute best event manager, and expected a lot from her team – even student interns – but I hear her voice echo in my game day headset to guide me when I need to make a quick decision for a live event. She will still drop anything if we are in the same city (which unfortunately doesn't happen often!) to catch up and genuinely want to know how my momma and I are doing.

When I started and laid a foundation for a career in college athletics, John Phillips, Brandon Hays, Tracie Hitz, Joni Smoller, Bob Derda, Jana Ross, Angela Zandier, Brian O’Gara, Jamie DiLoreto, Tim Ryan, Laura Ehret, Brad Wurthman, Rob Zullo, and Greg Amodio all listened, consoled, offered advice, offered me [AND my students!] opportunities, and guided me to where I am today: an unofficial career cheerleader, official internship coordinator and instructor, and a mentor for many up-and-coming #SportsBiz professionals while working for one my mentors, Michael Veley.

I didn’t realize it until it became my “job,” but the many men and women that touched my life in such a positive way actually shaped how I hope to advise and guide students on a daily basis. Mentorship has been such a major part of my life that I now have the opportunity for my students - the next generation - to work for MY mentors [cue "The Circle of Life"].

Y'all, it is hands down the COOLEST feeling in the world to see my former students hire current students or work for my mentors that once taught me the ropes.

In honor of National Mentoring Month, I am encouraging my colleagues to continue to support those young professionals that are coming to you for guidance; and students, never stop learning or asking questions! My mentors have brought me so much joy, taught me how to take on challenges head on, lent an ear [with a glass of wine] when I needed them the most, and continue to enrich my life in ways I never thought possible. I am forever indebted to those energetic, tough, serious, goofy, impressive, GREAT mentors that were a part of my extracurriculars, academics, and/or professional journey. I only hope that my students find at least one person that touches their lives like my tribe has touched mine.

THANK YOU, mentors, for your guidance and for just being YOU, as it landed me right back to where I started - working for both Syracuse and Memphis - hopefully cultivating even more generations of mentorship in the decades to come.

#Mentorship #StudentVoices #InstructorVoices #SportsBiz #SMSports