Sports Careers Not Just for Athletes - career in sports

Career World, Jan, 2001 by Mark Rowh

There are more ways to hit a homer in your career than playing sports.

It's one of the most dramatic moments in the world of sport: With seconds left on the clock, a player bursts into action and leaps from somewhere near the free-throw line. The ball glides through the air and makes a spectacular swoosh through the hoop. And the crowd goes wild.

Would you like to be the player in this scene? Who wouldn't want to be adored by millions of fans the way former NBA superstar Michael Jordan is? Or maybe you'd like a career as a baseball slugger, tennis star, or pro quarterback?

It's great work--if you can get it. But there are only a few thousand slots available for professional athletes. Of these slots, only a few are for stars who become household names. In a country of more than 260 million people, those aren't very good odds.

If you're a gifted athlete with dreams of making it to the pros, good luck. If not, does that mean a sports career is outside the realm of possibility? The answer, fortunately, is no.

Many people who aren't professional athletes pursue sports careers. They work in a variety of challenging fields ranging from coaching to sports journalism. Other expanding job areas are managing sports teams, promoting athletic events, and supporting the needs of athletes. All in all, approximately 4.4 million people work in sports and sports-related careers, according to the Women's Sports Foundation. As the popularity of all kinds of sports continues to grow, opportunities to work in sports-related jobs are actually increasing.

Promising Career Stats

"Since there are more and more school, college, and professional teams, getting a sports-related career is more probable than it has ever been," says Russ Blunck, sports information director at Western Oregon University. "It is a fun and rewarding career and lifestyle. For the most part, athletes and coaches are fascinating, motivated, and special people. It's a pleasure to spend your days working with them."

Fortunately, Americans just can't seem to get enough sports. In recent years, pro sports leagues have expanded and then expanded again. Colleges have expanded athletic programs to include women's teams. Sports such as soccer, wrestling, and auto racing are becoming even more popular.

"The world of sports continues to grow across the nation as well as internationally," says Julie Powell, a sports management professor at Union University in Tennessee. Powell believes that the need for employees will grow in high schools as well as colleges. "I personally feel that we are heading toward an increase in athletic training personnel on the high school level. Before long, schools will need their own athletic trainer instead of using hospitals' personnel."

Fields of Dreams

Here is a brief overview of just some of the career areas that focus on sports:

* Coaches work at all levels including high school, college, and professional sports. In addition to highly visible head coaches, the field also includes large numbers of assistant coaches.

* Athletic directors and other managers provide leadership for high school or college athletic programs. General managers and other administrative personnel plan and oversee the activities of sports leagues (or conferences), professional sports teams, and other organizations.

* Sports journalists and public relations specialists develop communications about sports. Some write for newspapers, magazines, or broadcast radio. Some write for television programs. Others work for college or university athletic departments.

* Athletic trainers work with athletes to promote their physical conditioning. Trainers help them overcome injuries and keep them at their peak.

* Sports agents represent professional athletes. They negotiate contracts for them. They help those breaking into professional sports, as well as experienced professional athletes.

* Other career specialties include executive directors of sports associations, marketing directors, event coordinators, administrative assistants, and sports scouts.

With so many opportunities, chances are good that you'll find a match with your own interests and abilities. Of course, the job market can be highly competitive. But those who succeed have the opportunity to perform truly enjoyable work.

"If your strength is communication, a job as a sports information director might be right for you," Powell says. "If you are a great teacher and want to have an influence on kids, you may consider coaching. The possibilities are endless."

For Powell, a major plus is the opportunity to work with student athletes. "I currently work at a small liberal arts college. And I'm able to have a personal relationship with many of our athletes," she says. "To watch them grow and learn is an amazing experience." Interacting directly with athletes might involve coaching eighth-grade basketball players or a high school football team. Or it could involve assisting a college volleyball team.

A good Workout

Most sports-related jobs involve plenty of hard work and require a high energy level. Here is sports information director Blunck's description of just one day on the job: