Lessons We Can Learn from the Dallas Cowboys

by Michelle Hill | August 31st, 2010 | View Comments

On August 26th, I drove over two hours in my 14-year old car with over 240,000 miles on it (yes, it’s a Honda) on my almost-yearly trek, to attend my beloved Dallas Cowboys training camp at River Ridge Field in Oxnard, CA. Except for the fans who stay at the Marriott Residence Inn next door, the rest of us park in a half dirt/half mud parking lot that really should only allow dune buggies and 4-wheelers.

We all pay $10.00 for a parking space and while we’re watching our Cowboys train, a big truck maneuvers through the “parking lot,” row by row, to water down the dirt and mud which sprays that same dirt and mud all over the cars and trucks. The water truck does not just give a mere sprinkling; it’s like the force escaping from a fire hydrant. But, it’s all part of the fan experience.

Anyway, for 9:15 a.m. practice, I stood at the 50-yard line, behind the fence that surrounds the entire field. Official-looking city volunteers with official-looking badges manage the crowd and exchange friendly banter. I was amidst hundreds of other fans, some highly annoying in their fan-like behavior. One fan screams over and over at the top of her lungs, “Miles, I love you Miles.” I overheard comments from those around her to the effect of, “maybe she’ll lose her voice…” Oh well, every fan exhibits their affection in their own personal style – she provided some laughs and entertainment along the way. For the most part, Cowboys fans are good-natured, friendly, non-violent fans.

As I watched the 3:15 p.m. practice drills from the end zone, I observed a few lessons we can all take to heart:

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How to Become General Manager of a Major League Baseball Team

by Lewis Howes | August 24th, 2010 | View Comments

I connected with Mark Shapiro two years ago at the Princeton Sports Symposium, and had a great time getting to know more about his professional career in Major League Baseball. He came from humble upbringings, but through his hard work and perseverance, he worked his way up to become the Vice President and General Manager of the Cleveland Indians and was recently promoted to become team president for the club next season. Mark’s journey has been an inspiring one and his zero-to-hero story has something that we can all take away in our own journey to success in the sports world.

In the following video, he explains the steps he took and what got him to where he is today:

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Interception

by Michelle Hill | August 23rd, 2010 | View Comments

According to Wikipedia, “an interception is a very specialized move that occurs when a quarterback’s pass is caught by a player on the opposing team.

This leads to an immediate change of possession during the play: the defender who caught the ball immediately assumes the role of the offense and attempts to move the ball as far towards the opposing goal as possible. Following the stoppage of play, if the interceptor retained possession of the ball, their team takes over possession at the spot where he was downed.”

That’s the long version. However, according to the player who got intercepted, it’s simply a pick. We’ve all seen how an interception can change the course and momentum of a game. When it happens, the main goal of the team who lost the ball to get it back as fast as they can before the opposing team capitalizes on the pick.

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4th and Long

by Michelle Hill | August 9th, 2010 | View Comments

A football team in a 4th and long position is poised to make something out of nothing. To attempt a play in a 4th and long position is a long shot…a slim chance. Sometimes a team will go for it when there’s no other choice – time is running out and this is their last chance to score.

Sometimes coaches will go for it on a 4th and long early in the game because they either see a big opportunity right now or they think they’ll have sufficient time to recover if it doesn’t go well. No matter what, it’s usually a very risky proposition to go for it on a fourth down.

How often do you as a freelancer or business person have the chance at a 4th and long? You know; the chances that don’t come along everyday: the big client you thought was a long shot to get, an opportunity to drastically expand your social media efforts, the network event where you’re poised to meet the right person who can help give you your big break, or maybe the chance to acquire funding that will secure needed equipment or pay off a business debt.

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Protecting the Dream by any Means Necessary

by Michelle Hill | August 2nd, 2010 | View Comments

In the old days of football, receivers used a substance called Stick-Em, a sappy concoction that would make the ball stick to their hands, allowing them to make one-handed catches easily. These days, possession receivers will sometimes wear gloves that have sticky palms so when a leather ball on a dry day hits them, the ball sticks on the glove, making it easier to catch.

Coaches are always admonishing players to protect the ball by any means necessary. We’ve all seen the horrifying plays when a great pass is intercepted by the opposing team. Or maybe when a running back is not protecting the ball well and it’s stripped away from him in an instant.

It’s the same thing with your dreams. The ball represents your dreams and when you watch a football game, it should remind you to protect your dreams by any means necessary because you see what can happen when you lose the ball.

Let’s face it. It’s exciting to birth a new vision or dream and by nurturing it and feeding it, we watch it grow and develop, just as we would a child. It’s ours and it’s special.

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Landing a Job in Sports: Job Application Advice

by Lewis Howes | July 21st, 2010 | View Comments

Last week we posted a job description looking for a new community manager for our sites. The response was overwhelming and we received many amazing resumes and applications. The top 10 were invited to participate in the next stage of the search by submitting video posts explaining why they wanted the job. The videos showed clearly why these candidates made the top 10 cut to begin with. They are dedicated and passionate, something we value a lot for our company.

Some candidates really stood out and impressed us. They did crazy things like submit their application an hour after we requested it, created a website, sent multiple video posts and recorded themselves from a Sonic Drive-Through to illustrate their 24/7 hustle.

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We’re Hiring a Community Manager!

by Lewis Howes | July 7th, 2010 | View Comments

UPDATE: We are no longer accepting new applications for this position.

Sports Networker and the Sports Executives Association (SEA) are seeking a dedicated community manager to start immediately for this part time position. You should definitely be active online, passionate about people and willing to learn quickly in this challenging role.

Job Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to):

SportsNetworker.com

• Working with site authors to publish articles and create the editorial calendar
• Responding to press inquires and setting up interviews
• Recruiting new writers and working with guest authors
• Handle ad requests and see new advertisers that would be a good fit for the site
• Promote and share articles via social networks and manage those accounts
• Look for new ways to grow the SpotsNetworker brand
• Manage the internship database and respond to student/employer requests
• Write articles related to spots business, social media and marketing

Sports Executives Association (SEA)

• Handle all support requests from members
• Help create, edit and upload new content on a monthly basis
• Communicate updates and changes to members
• Manage and direct forum activity
• Learn or have experience working in WordPress, aMember, vBulletin and EZS3
Other responsibilities include
• Help promote and publicize live networking events
• Working with graphic designer and web developer to complete projects

The successful candidate will have experience using online social networks or past community manger experience. The role requires 20 hours a week with the opportunity to increase those hours in the future. Pay is hourly and negotiable based on experience. Please fill out the following form and we will contact you if you’re the right fit for this role.

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Deceptions about Working in the Sports Industry

by Matt Clark | June 25th, 2010 | View Comments

Those who originally wanted to get involved with the businesses side of sports normally did so because of the simple fact that that they love the game. The majority of the people in the industry were at one time athletes themselves but quickly found out that there was a slim chance that they could make a living out of hitting a baseball or shooting a basketball. So now what were these individuals suppose to do whose lives constantly revolved around sports? Well I guess for them there was only one other option; it was time to join the business side of the industry.

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How to Land a Sports Internship

by Matt Clark | June 22nd, 2010 | View Comments

The year is 2010 and the economy is not only a burden for those searching for jobs but also those searching for internships. The process of finding an internship has never been considered easy, but currently it is unbelievable the amount of people fighting for work experience and those normally of which go unpaid.

Over the past 10 years the target audience of prospective interns has seen a dramatic shift. Interns used to predominantly consist of college students, normally juniors or seniors, who either through the design of their college program or through there own good will, were looking to gain experience in their field before taking off for the work force. Surely that same concept still holds true with collegiate students, but now not only are they competing against one another, but it is not uncommon for a slightly older generation to be competing against them as well. With the unemployment rate in the United States currently at staggering heights, whether a college student or a college student’s parents, everyone is looking for a way to get his or her foot in the door.

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Funny Sports Video: How to Get a Job In Sports

by Lewis Howes | June 4th, 2010 | View Comments

Our friends over at WorkInSports.com have a funny new video about how to get a job in sports. If you know about the famous SNL routine by Justin Timberlake then you will appreciate the similarities between the two videos.

All jokes aside, the best way to find the sports job you are looking for is to sign up at for WorkInSports and start using their job board. I have yet to find another alternative that can bring you the results you are looking for.

What did you think of the video? Funny, or not? Love to hear your opinion in the comments below.

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