Name: Kelsey Sphar
Current Position: Finishing last month as Graduate Assistant for Marketing & Promotions at Northern Kentucky University. Next month I’ll be starting as the Assistant Marketing Director at the University of North Florida.
Number of Years in Current Position: 2
Conference: Horizon League/ASUN
Alma Mater(s): Morehead State University
Twitter Handle: @kelsphar
LinkedIn Address: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-sphar-2b5638a9/
When/why did you decide to pursue a career in college athletics?
Growing up my life revolved around cheerleading and gameday. Once I cheered my first college football and basketball games I discovered my love for the gameday atmosphere that athletics creates. I wanted to stay close to gameday and fan experience, that is what led me to athletics marketing and promotions. I completed my first internship and fell in love with the aspects of the career that I had chosen.
What is one thing that has surprised you about working in this profession?
It surprises me how much my co-workers and supervisors truly respect my opinion and ideas even as a graduate assistant. The culture centered around college athletics is such an inviting community with family-like values. Athletics consumes most of our time so it is reassuring that the people I get to spend my time with understand the importance of the bonds and relationships that can arise from it.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Talk to anyone and everyone. I was once told that it is more than worth it to walk up to someone in another department and ask them questions. Talk to them about their day, about their duties and responsibilities, and pick their brains about their portion of this industry. It’s beyond important to look at things from a different perspective every once and a while. Plus, it never hurts to make new friends and connections.
Who is your role model in this industry and why?
Brandon Hays, my current supervisor. He gave me my first internship on a whim and really invested his time with me to teach me about the fundamentals of this industry. After my internship, he pushed me to apply for graduate assistantships and to continue school and receive my masters. Throughout my time with Brandon I have learned some really valuable lessons not only about this industry, but about myself as well. I truly thank him for taking me under his wing and helping me get to where I am today.
What are your career aspirations?
I truly believe in climbing the ladder and learning what goes into every position to be successful. I am hoping to gain more insight, knowledge, and experience with external affairs through my career. Eventually I want to control and oversee all aspects of external affairs and communication.
What has been your most memorable moment on the job?
This previous fall I oversaw marketing for women’s volleyball for the second year in a row, I exceeded my attendance goal and more than doubled my revenue from the year before. This was my first sport that I had worked two years in a row and it was truly rewarding to see my hard work from the first year pay off.
Share one funny moment or story from game day.
My first time ever on the mic as PA was mortifying. I had to fill in while our PA was late getting back to the second game of the doubleheader. I went to announce the visiting team, Valparaiso Crusaders. But I announced them as Valparaiso Cruzers. I also didn’t catch it right away, I believe my cheeks were as red as a tomato and I vowed I wouldn’t be doing PA again.
If you weren’t working in college athletics, what would you be doing?
I would have most likely continued working for the Universal Cheerleaders Association, in their corporate office based out of Memphis, Tennessee. My focus would’ve been on social media communication and marketing. I often look back and miss my cheerleading days and my time with UCA while I was in college. I had a few opportunities to travel internationally that I had to turn down due to school, if I wasn’t in college athletics I would’ve taken advantage of that.