Goals of an eighteen-year-old aspiring to sports management and entertainment law

¶ … achievements in the history of mankind have been made by those following their true calling in life and doing that which they loved to do. Artists of the mind, theater, and performance have gone against the grain of mundane society to be complete in their vision. Socrates did not give in to public pressure and died to stay true to his philosophy. Oscar Wilde, even in the face of overwhelming public pressure, insisted on making his life beautiful and artistic. Boy George spearheaded an innovative new style of music and fashion by refusing to compromise his work. Among these great artists one also finds those in the sports industry, such as Dennis Rodman who has proved that a sports hero can make an impact in other fields as well. I have been intrigued by the sports industry as a form of entertainment and expression my entire life, and my experience as an all-league defensive football player has given me the opportunity to be a part of this great subculture. It is through sports that I have found my inspiration to achieve in other areas as well, including academics. With graduation only one touchdown away, my focus is on the bright green turf of the future. I envision for myself in that moment of end zone glory a career in sports management or sports/entertainment law, so that I can combine my intellectual ability with my passion and natural affinity for sports in order to make a lasting impression on the industry and society as a whole.

I have been fortunate in my career as a varsity football player. My appreciation for the strategy and artistic design of the game was paired marvelously with physical ability and mental determination, giving me a unique opportunity to actively pursue this sport. Throughout my childhood, I was able to form bonds of friendship with both caring adults and stimulating peers through my involvement with football. I learned important lessons of sportsmanship, "pack" bonding, and teamwork that would stick with me through all of my years. During the consecutive two years that I have had the honor to be a part of our champion varsity football team, I have learned even more about the importance of being able to both give and take and to make every moment in life enjoyable and enriching for myself and those around me. These values about friendship, family, and community are ones that will guide me through my career in sports management or sports/entertainment law, allowing me to be a positive force behind an industry with the potential to do so much good.

Academically, I have been highly successful because of football. For some students, sports can be a distraction, but for me it has always helped me to focus on my priorities. I excelled at reading early on so that I could stay up-to-date on the articles in Sports Illustrated and read the biographies of my football heroes. Football advanced my cognitive processing skills as I completely absorbed the strategic and logistical elements of the game. In school, I knew that every class lesson could be applied to improving my understanding of football in some way, and every subject from math, to biology, to physics, to English gave me greater insight into the art form of sports. I also knew that in order to remain active in extracurricular sports I had to prove myself in school first, and I have maintained a 3.5 GPA.