Not knowing what exactly I was going to do after school as a career which meant I didn't know what major I would take while in college along came for the first time a major named Sport Management. I quickly went from undecided to signing up for Sport Management as my decided major and went about getting through all the required course work. I was already an avid athlete and sports over and competed in running events such as Cross Country and Track and Field and used the knowledge gained as a Sport Management Major to better understand how the body of an athlete works and better understood how to make myself a better runner and overall athlete. I qualified and competed in the National Cross Country Championship while at Slippery Rock University and later went on to compete worldwide with three Marathon wins and victories at many other distances as well. I was also able to use my knowledge to train others with extreme success and undefeated seasons as a Track and Field coach.

    My first job out of college was that of Director of the Warren County YMCA were I sent about to start for the first time personalized fitness training as well as run many camps, schools, leagues and competitions in many various sports and activities. I loved my job and all the things I got to do and it was all because of my Sport Management Major and the knowledge and education it gave me. I later went on to each myself the game of golf and after just three years of playing the game I was able to pass the PGA player's ability test which allowed me to work as assistant and head golf professional at four different golf courses. Once again I know it was all because of the things I learned at Slippery Rock University in their Sport Management program. The Sport Management Degree from Slippery Rock University has given me everything I needed to go forward and become successful in any of the many job positions I have wanted to do and I have found that the degree has opened a lot of doors to me that I couldn't have gotten through without the degree. I am and always will be thankful for the Sport Management Degree from Slippery Rock University and plan on continuing to succeed in the future in business especially my own company Sport and Fitness Propulsion.

    I was glad to see that there was going to be an award given for Sport Management personnel who have found success in the workplace and was extremely honored to have been the first to receive the reward. The MVP award shows me that my hard work and dedication in the field of Sport Management has be recognized and not resting on my laurels I plan on continuing to work hard and enjoy the things I do in the work place and continue to succeed both professionally and as an individual helping as many others as I can along the way.

-James Garrett