Name: Sam Armstrong
Current Position: Marketing Coordinator
Number of Years in Current Position: 1
Conference: Horizon League
Alma Mater(s): Kent State
Twitter Handle: @Sam_Arms
LinkedIn Address: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-armstrong-4a596334
When/why did you decide to pursue a career in college athletics?
I have always had a passion for sports, whether that was being a diehard Cleveland fan or playing them in high school or recreationally. And no, I did not spell bandwagon wrong haha. It is something that my family and I have always bonded over. I knew going to college that I wanted to engulf myself in the world of sports. And since being a professional golfer won’t work out… I’ll stick to working in sports. Coming up into my third year of undergrad, I wasn’t sure what field I wanted to be in until I took the class, PR and Promotions in Sport. A brainstorming session in class made me realize that I am great at coming up with ridiculous ideas. That next day, I walked over to the Kent State marketing department and asked if they needed interns for the upcoming semester and the rest is history.
What is one thing that has surprised you about working in this profession?
I think the most surprising aspect of this profession is even with the amount of people in the profession, it seems like everyone knows everyone. It just goes to show that the connections you make are extremely important because they last your whole career.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Approach every day with a curious mind.” from Ryan Hawk, VP of Sales at Elsevier Clinical Solutions, during an all staff retreat. If you approach every day with a curious mind, you will always learn and always grow.
Who is your role model in this industry and why?
I have had two great mentors so far who have really helped develop me. Jessica Henderson, who is no longer in sports, made my time interning at Kent State extremely beneficial and I learned so much of the basics of running a game day, on campus marketing tactics, and so much more that I still use to this day. Another is my current supervisor, David Wynkoop. Working with him, I am constantly growing, learning, and becoming better. The knowledge he shares just enhances my experience here at Wright State. Whenever I am about to do something, I always hear both of their voices in my head and for that I am forever grateful!
What are your career aspirations?
My goal for now is to make Associate Athletic Director and then make the jump to Athletic Director someday.
What has been your most memorable moment on the job?
I definitely have two that I will never forget. The first time I got to run on-court emcee for a Kent State Basketball game vs Akron in front of nearly sold out crowd. It was an unbelievable feeling getting so many people cheering, up on their feet and feeding off their energy for the promotions. To make things even better, Kent State won on a buzzer beater! Another was during this past NCAA Baseball Regionals in Louisville. In case you didn’t know, our baseball team picked up an unusual mascot after their bus struck a deer on a road trip. They bought a different deer head, named it Gary Croswell, and hung it up in their dugout for every game. During Regionals, ESPNU picked up the story of Gary. Until this point, we had not done much with it. That day we made a twitter account and within that regional, Gary Croswell was up 1,500 followers and all over multiple websites and twitter pages. I had such a fun time with it and making so many ridiculous deer puns! You can give him a follow, @GaryCroswell is still up and running. Well… just the account anyway.
Share one funny moment or story from game day.
This happened while setting up for a football game at Kent State and I will never forget this! Prior to gates opening, the visiting team on the field warming up and the K-9 Unit is doing the rounds in the stadium. Bella, a German Sheppard, was sniffing around the bleachers and caught a glimpse of them throwing a ball and she decides she wants to play fetch. Bella takes off after this football towards the player who just caught the ball all the while the police officer is screaming “NEIN BELLA, NEIN!” Come to find out, the football player is their 2nd String QB and not a fan of dogs. He starts scrambling, weaving in and out of teammates like he is getting blitzed in the pocket until he finally drops the ball and let’s Bella have it. Luckily, no one was bitten and the players were in good spirits about it. Safe to say, he got his warm up for the game.
If you weren’t working in college athletics, what would you be doing?
I think I would have tried and became a Math or History teacher.