Interview With Tiffany Reese
Assistant Manager at Wall2Wall Soccer
She played soccer her freshman year at the University of Rio Grande, and then transferred to Northern Kentucky University after a year and a half. She graduated this year from Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Business. This degree involved several different business classes with a strong focus on marketing to the sports industry. All of her jobs have focused on customer service from retail, grocery stores, amusement parks, and even my internship. Her internship was with the Cincinnati Commandos and involved doing cold calls to season ticket holders and selling merchandise. After she graduated she was offered a position at Wall2Wall Soccer where she is still working today. Wall2Wall Soccer is an indoor soccer facility that manages adult/youth soccer leagues, and also rents space to several other organizations to run practices, leagues and events. She is now classified as an assistant manager, and am learning all the managerial duties of running a facility.
Next, I asked her about her thoughts on the sports industry. She stated that the sports industry is constantly changing, and that is still the case in regards to the facility management side. Things can change on a daily basis due to acquisitions, transfers, and other outside forces. Customers will always catch you off guard with their special requests, complaints, and comments. Things happen in the sports industry that you can't foresee; this is especially true when you manage a facility. You have to be prepared for anything with the customers from fights to injuries, but also need to be prepared for maintenance issues with the building.
I asked if there were any tips that she can give to any aspiring students. She replied by stating that the main difference in working in business and working with sports business is the uncontrollable forces that mold it. A lot that happens in the sports industry is unexpected and you have to learn on the fly. As a student it is very important to be able to think quick on your feet in this industry. Learning the ins and outs of marketing to specific target groups is also very important. As a student you need to learn to go with the flow, and take up any opportunity for hands on experience.
Next, I asked her about her thoughts on the sports industry. She stated that the sports industry is constantly changing, and that is still the case in regards to the facility management side. Things can change on a daily basis due to acquisitions, transfers, and other outside forces. Customers will always catch you off guard with their special requests, complaints, and comments. Things happen in the sports industry that you can't foresee; this is especially true when you manage a facility. You have to be prepared for anything with the customers from fights to injuries, but also need to be prepared for maintenance issues with the building.
I asked if there were any tips that she can give to any aspiring students. She replied by stating that the main difference in working in business and working with sports business is the uncontrollable forces that mold it. A lot that happens in the sports industry is unexpected and you have to learn on the fly. As a student it is very important to be able to think quick on your feet in this industry. Learning the ins and outs of marketing to specific target groups is also very important. As a student you need to learn to go with the flow, and take up any opportunity for hands on experience.