Q&A by Drew Fuemmeler '17
This alumni profile features a Q&A with Brent Reese (PMSA '13), recently named the 'Project Manager - Ticketing & Corporate Sponsorships' for the Frisco Independent School District in Frisco, Texas. In it, he discusses how he personally developed the new role, offers advice for others trying to blaze their own trail in the sports industry, and how the Ohio Sports Administration program impacted his career.
What was your role with Frisco ISD before the promotion, and how long were you pushing to create this new position with the department?
I spent 14 Years as a middle school teacher/coach (Campus Coordinator) with Frisco ISD before the change. I graduated from the PMSA program in 2013 and since then, I’ve been meeting; patiently going through the organizational structure of our district to meet and wait, meet and wait, until the right situation came along and that is the partnership of FISD and the Dallas Cowboys. My passion has always been to support students and showcase the great things that they do. The atmosphere of any sporting event is better when there are fans in attendance. The kids appreciate it too (Football players/coaches, drill team, cheer, marching band, etc.).
What will your day-to-day role as Project Manager for Ticketing & Corporate Sponsorships entail?
I will Coordinate Communications, Finance, Athletics, & Fine Art Departments to find relevant and unique partnerships within the community and designate appropriate follow-up with the correct entity. Additionally, I will focus on ticketing; which will include supervising training for updated system as well as Partnering with FC Dallas and the Veritix ticketing system.
How will your work differentiate Frisco ISD from other districts?
Our unique Public/Private partnerships with Sports teams (Dallas Cowboys, FC Dallas, Frisco Roughriders; Texas Rangers AA, and Texas Legends; D-League) create a partnership opportunity that benefit our students/parents/staff using sports and sport venues as vehicle to generate our own revenue. There are so many great opportunities that the business world can provide to our students; through donation for scholarships, work internships for students, grants for teachers and hopefully more.
What would you say is the biggest challenge you will face in your new role?
- There is a difference between the education world and the business world. I’m learning!
- Understanding the different entities within the district so that we are working together and not against each other. There are so many different moving parts and communication between the different departments with a new role is very challenging.
- Trying to keep the small school feel with one of the fastest growing school districts in the country.
What was the importance of the Ohio University Sports Administration program in your career and personal development?
It introduced me to the business side of sport, which is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT than interscholastic school district business. I learned the differences between sponsorship and advertising, & I got to work on real world projects; gaining valuable work experience that is more than just class based.
And that is not to mention the networking.
What is the best piece of advice you could offer to someone trying to make the same sort of career move you just did?
You have to be immersed in a school district and learn as much as you can - how things are done from local government to school finances. It's all different.
The Sports Ad program gives you current trends in the marketing world, an opportunity to create networking opportunities, and a great education to use.
Finally, be creative. Use your current resources and connect the dots in order to best serve your partners.
What is the coolest thing you've seen in your new role or your previous work with Frisco ISD?
In my previous role I helped create the middle school strength and conditioning camps in Frisco ISD in 2004, and I worked with others to incorporate CPR awareness curriculum in 6th grade Physical Education class in the district in 2012. Plus, seeing former athletes coming back to teach and coach in the same district is very rewarding.
In my new role, I was introduced to fellow OU alums Eric Sudol and Chad Estis at Valley Ranch on my first day in the new role. I also met with FC Dallas and got introduced to Veritix and FlashSeats tech. And I get to see the new Cowboy Headquarters being built from my office.
Do you have any recent or upcoming projects you could share with us?
Currently I'm working on piloting Veritix in the school district with eight high schools, and 2 sites (FISD Memorial Stadium, and Toyota Stadium - FC Dallas); eventually adding the Cowboys new facility The Star in 2016. Additionally we're coordinating an athletic website that will consolidate all sports from all high schools in one site, and establishing guidelines for sponsorship with our district.
It has been interesting times with our school district’s philosophy of maintaining small school feel in the fastest growing district, we are facing challenges that many districts do not face. Since my arrival in 2001; FISD had one High School and just opened a second middle school. Currently, we have 8 high schools, 15 middle schools, and over 40 Elementary schools….and we’re still growing! The Cowboys are bringing a world brand to our area and we’d like to capitalize in order to create student opportunity!
What makes this job so rewarding is that we are very intentional with our sponsorships because we are truly in the business of kids. It isn’t about the quantity of sponsorship, advertising, ticket sales; it’s about creating unique partnerships that will create unique experiences and opportunity for students.
It truly takes a village to mentor, guide, and direct our kids in hope that our kids experiences will give them an advantage when applying for college or pursuing their dreams.
Why Choose Ohio University Sports Administration?
1. The Curriculum: The MBA/MSA combination
The two-year MBA/MSA program prepares students for leadership positions by combining the business teaching of the Ohio University MBA program with sport-specific knowledge during the MSA program. This degree combination recognizes the growing complexity of the sports, facility and entertainment industries, and reinforces Ohio University's commitment to preparing students for the leadership challenges of the future. SportBusiness International recently ranked the program the #1 Overall Postgraduate Sports Course in the World.
The MBA phase of the program uses a problem-based learning style, immersing students in collaborative projects and working situations that are commonplace in the business world. Students learn basic business concepts in a real-life context, and develop skills in communication, collaboration and teamwork that are essential for success, while developing their ability to be creative, take initiative, and accept personal responsibility for their actions.
The MSA program combines classroom and practical experience to prepare individuals for leadership positions in the sport industry. An interdisciplinary approach gives students the freedom to choose courses of personal interest and build a foundation of knowledge in their desired career fields.
Click here to see more reasons to join our program!
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