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James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
JMU Athletics Hosts Sixth Annual Career Day
11/6/2019 10:00:00 AM | Civic Engagement, Student-Athlete Development
On October 31, 2019, James Madison Athletics held its sixth annual athletics career day for high school students. Students from 17 high schools within the area had the opportunity to tour Bridgeforth Stadium and hear from three different career panels.
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The 267 students began their day at 9:30 a.m. by participating in small group tours throughout the football stadium. The tour showcased the video production room, club level, president's suite, press box, field and the Plecker Athletics Performance Center. The tour exposed the students to a multitude of professions they were originally unaware of.
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Mallory Cromer, a business and marketing educator for Broadway High School, said her students, "Were excited to hear about the suites and all of the food that Aramark does and all of the different careers that you don't think about, that go into putting on an event."
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Cromer was part of the original group that attended the very first athletic career day here at James Madison.
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"I continue to bring my students because it is an invaluable experience for them to be able to see a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium, everything that goes into a game day, and all of the different careers that are involved with it," Cromer said.
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Once the tour completed, students walked to Grafton-Stovall Theatre, where they listened to three panels: the first – communications, social media and sports broadcasting; the second – coaching and the student-athlete experience; and the third – sports medicine. athletic training and student-athlete health. The panelists shared their experiences in their respective fields, what a typical day looks like and what advice they would give to high school students.
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Curt Dudley, the Director of Broadcast Services, spoke on the importance of "seizing the opportunity," a sentiment that was echoed by the rest. Many of them shared stories about their early involvement in the different fields and the value those early experiences had.Â
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Lauren Comegys, a senior on the women's golf team, advised the students to, "get comfortable with being uncomfortable," words that resonated with Luke Garber.
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Garber, a sophomore at Broadway High School, who has dreams of pursuing a collegiate basketball career, said, "My favorite piece of advice was from the golfer. If something isn't in your comfort zone just go out and do it because you can and just get the experience."
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Another piece of advice the panelists placed emphasis on was doing each task to the best of your ability. Regardless of how small the task may seem, the importance it plays in the bigger picture of said organization is vital, in addition to the lessons it can teach someone.Â
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Garber reflected on his biggest takeaway of the day stating, "Hard work is the most important thing you can do in anything. Dedicating yourself to one thing or more than one thing, just dedicating yourself to anything is what gets you to something."
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Paul Zazenski, head coach of the men's soccer team, consolidated the information from the day by saying, "Go after it and pursue it, take a hands on approach. If you want something in life, sports specifically, you have to put in the time, effort and focus to make it happen."
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The 267 students began their day at 9:30 a.m. by participating in small group tours throughout the football stadium. The tour showcased the video production room, club level, president's suite, press box, field and the Plecker Athletics Performance Center. The tour exposed the students to a multitude of professions they were originally unaware of.
Â
Mallory Cromer, a business and marketing educator for Broadway High School, said her students, "Were excited to hear about the suites and all of the food that Aramark does and all of the different careers that you don't think about, that go into putting on an event."
Â
Cromer was part of the original group that attended the very first athletic career day here at James Madison.
Â
"I continue to bring my students because it is an invaluable experience for them to be able to see a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium, everything that goes into a game day, and all of the different careers that are involved with it," Cromer said.
Â
Once the tour completed, students walked to Grafton-Stovall Theatre, where they listened to three panels: the first – communications, social media and sports broadcasting; the second – coaching and the student-athlete experience; and the third – sports medicine. athletic training and student-athlete health. The panelists shared their experiences in their respective fields, what a typical day looks like and what advice they would give to high school students.
Â
Curt Dudley, the Director of Broadcast Services, spoke on the importance of "seizing the opportunity," a sentiment that was echoed by the rest. Many of them shared stories about their early involvement in the different fields and the value those early experiences had.Â
Â
Lauren Comegys, a senior on the women's golf team, advised the students to, "get comfortable with being uncomfortable," words that resonated with Luke Garber.
Â
Garber, a sophomore at Broadway High School, who has dreams of pursuing a collegiate basketball career, said, "My favorite piece of advice was from the golfer. If something isn't in your comfort zone just go out and do it because you can and just get the experience."
Â
Another piece of advice the panelists placed emphasis on was doing each task to the best of your ability. Regardless of how small the task may seem, the importance it plays in the bigger picture of said organization is vital, in addition to the lessons it can teach someone.Â
Â
Garber reflected on his biggest takeaway of the day stating, "Hard work is the most important thing you can do in anything. Dedicating yourself to one thing or more than one thing, just dedicating yourself to anything is what gets you to something."
Â
Paul Zazenski, head coach of the men's soccer team, consolidated the information from the day by saying, "Go after it and pursue it, take a hands on approach. If you want something in life, sports specifically, you have to put in the time, effort and focus to make it happen."
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JMU Women's Soccer | Dukes Draw with Coastal Carolina
Tuesday, September 16
JMU Football | Win this game.
Thursday, September 04
JMU Football | All Eyes Back on Bridgeforth
Monday, September 01
JMU Football | Enough talk, let's ball.
Friday, August 29
