Athletics: Jobs Landed

I originally came to America in 2007 when I was offered a job coaching soccer in Long Island, NY.  I was there on a short term contract (6months) and once that came to an end I returned back to England.  It was at that time that I was offered a job in Michigan through an associate back in Engalnd. My role at the Dexter Soccer Club has developed over the past 4 years from that of a Part Time Club Trainer / Coach into that of a Full Time Director of Youth Development and I am now responsible for the  following:

- Individual development of all players within the program from the youngest (3 years old) to the oldest (18 years old).
- Manage and implement age-specific, educational, soccer curriculum for ALL players
- Manage and implement Academy structure for U5 - U7 players
- Ensure smooth transition for families and players making the step from U7 Academy to U8/U9 Travel and Competitive Soccer
- Serve as a Head Coach of a number of the clubs team
- Hire, train and coordinate staff coaches to deliver a consistent program throughout the club.
- Evaluate coaches and players to ensure continued development

I am also the State Director for Michigan for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), have experience as a Staff Coach for the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) and its Olympic Development Program (ODP) and I am a Staff Coach within the Michigan Coerver Performance Academy (Head Coach for U10 Boys).

I cover the University of Michigan football and hockey teams, writing game stories, player and team features, notes and columns for our monthly magazine (The Wolverine) and our daily Web site (TheWolverine.com).
 
I love my job. I discovered writing at an early age, and continued to pursue it through high school and college. When I reached the second semester of my senior year, I realized the two things I was most passionate about were sports and writing so I went all out to get a job in that field, and succeeded in that endeavor.
 
I spent three months in Hillsdale, Mich., writing for the daily newspaper there and was lucky enough to find the current job I’m in shortly into my tenure in Hillsdale. I’ve been with it ever since, and really appreciate being part of the Ann Arbor community (as an adult this time!).
 
I look forward to going to work every day because if I wasn’t in the position I was in, I would likely spend hours on end talking sports with my friends or visiting the site I currently help produce. The only downside to this job, and one all journalists can relate to, are the hours. They’re long and can consume a weekend, but 10 years later,  I’ve found a way to make it work without sacrificing all the great adventures I want to experience.

I am the media relations contact for the U-M ice hockey and field hockey teams. Internally, I'm in charge of everything that goes on the official team websites on MGoBlue.com, which involves event recaps, feature stories, blogs, video, audio, statistics, coach and athlete biographies. Externally, I am the main contact person for all media requests about the team before, during and after events. The ice hockey team is well-covered by local newspapers, websites, radio and TV entities. Weekend work and travel is extensive from October through March each year. I also help with U-M's other varsity sports as time allows, like football, baseball and softball.

The Challenge Program (CP) is an interactive, activity based team-building program.  My role at the CP is that I serve as one of two full-time staff and the leadership for over 50 part-time employees.  Specifically, I coordinate the logistics and learning outcomes for the variety of groups (University groups, area High Schools, corporate groups, community groups) that come out to our site to custom design a program that meets their specific goals and objectives.  Groups come to the CP for an array of reasons; jump start a new year, get to know each other better, work on communication or other organizational development topics, annual retreats or just to have FUN!  My decision to accept this job and move to Michigan has been absolutely rewarding for me.  I have had the opportunity to create and expand professional network within the campus community which led me to a recent decision to pursue a graduate degree at Eastern Michigan University in Educational Leadership in Higher Education. 

As a certified personal trainer for CoachMe Fit, I design and implement individualized resistance training programs for clientele.

Walk into any CoachMeFit and you can see why it can change people's lives. It's the welcoming environment, the positive energy, the way trainers and clients interact. Our focus is on delivering customized personal training to clients of all ages and levels of fitness. As a personal trainer, I encourage and guide our clients to see results whether their goal is to lose weight, build muscle, heighten sports performance, or improve balance.

Being a coach at the University of Michigan is a 7 days a week, 24 hour job.  I coach and recruit the highest level gymnasts in the country to compete for the University of Michigan.  Coaching involves setting goals, providing motivation and leadership and developing college student-athletes not only as gymnasts, but also making sure they are prepared as individuals when they graduate.