Cheryl Descent is the coordinator of intramural sports at a university.
She knew she wanted to be involved in a sports career when she was still in
high school.
"I was one of the first of the 'young professionals' who wanted to see
more sport opportunities for young girls and women. As I was leaving high
school, my goal was to become a high school teacher and coach high school
varsity sports," she says.
Things did not go as planned for Descent, however. "There were few jobs
available in the high schools, and I ended up teaching K-to-4 physical education
with no viable opportunity for coaching. I made the best of my situation and
learned as much about teaching as I could. After two years, a high school
teaching and coaching opportunity presented itself to me."
Descent decided to follow her dream. Unfortunately, one month before the
school year ended in her new position, funding was cut and Descent was dropped
to part time. She returned to university to receive her master's degree and
eventually landed her current position.
"I have a paid student staff. My favorite aspect of the job is getting
to know these young people and seeing them mature over their years here,"
she says.
Of course, the career path allowed her opportunities that she had only
dreamed of in the past. "I had the great fortune to spend 14 years as a sports
information specialist. That offered me the opportunity to work at two World
University Games."
The skills Descent gained as a sports information specialist landed her
in her current position. "Four years ago, there was a philosophical change.
The area of sports information was downgraded to a part-time status. With
my background in physical education and several years of teaching and coaching,
it was determined I had transferable skills, and I was reassigned to oversee
the intramural program," she says.
"My life has changed my career in many ways. I have learned that throughout
life, many doors of opportunity open for us. It is our choice to evaluate
each opportunity in light of where we are as individuals, partners, parents
and children," says Descent.
Reginald Terry, on the other hand, believes you make your own opportunities.
He is the director of football operations for Syracuse University in Syracuse,
New York. "You have to get involved at the semi-pro or university level to
start to understand what it entails to be an administrator," he says.
"Practical experience and educational experience are necessary. Do something
within the realm of athletics that helps you to understand the industry. And
to understand how athletic culture plays into bringing it all together."
That's exactly what Terry does. He brings the program together. "It's all
exciting, and it's all unusual. I might have to move from one thing to another
to another all within minutes. I stay busy all the time, but that comes along
with the job. It's pretty fragmented because there are so many different issues
I have to address."
Terry means that he does many more jobs in a day's time than one might
expect. "There are so many issues to handle: scheduling, practice issues,
staff meetings, communication with hotels, campus affairs, budgeting, planning
and coordinating staff and players' schedules and training."
Terry knew he would be busy in this job. "I was a football player when
I was an undergraduate. From the day-to-day access to the sport, I learned
a little about what it takes. Then as I went back to graduate school, I took
on an internship with Syracuse University," he says.
"When the position came open, the coach asked me if I wanted it. I enjoy
the interaction with the players and the coaches, and I enjoy coordinating
and being part of a successful season. When I am finished with graduate school,
I'll have a master's and a PhD." But Terry says he'll stay where he is for
a while.
Beyond all else, Terry loves what he does. "Believe in what you do and
why you do it," he advises. "You'll do things that go unnoticed, but if you
don't do them... everyone will notice."