By Alicia Lawrence ('11)
Significant. The one word Kevin Van Rooy (’06) used to sum up his connection with Ohio University and OHIO Sports Administration. Originally from Appleton, Wisconsin, Van Rooy’s journey to OHIO was not an easy one, but it’s a path that has led him down a unique road to his current position as an External Development Officer for Indiana University Athletics.
Van Rooy completed his undergraduate studies at St. Norbert College in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He had no sports experience when planning his next steps, and one day discovered the OHIO Sports Ad website while researching various graduate programs. After applying on a whim, Kevin was selected to move on to the interview phase. Upon learning he was not accepted into the program, he sought out what he could do to develop professionally and apply again. Experience is what he lacked, and when a six-month internship in Public Relations with the Green Bay Packers presented itself, Van Rooy jumped at the opportunity. After completing the internship, he accepted a position in scouting with the Packers and applied again to OHIO. Van Rooy’s diligence paid off; he was accepted into the program as a dual degree candidate and made the move to Athens.
Landing on a Development path was a process of elimination of sorts, although he knew Intercollegiate Athletics was where his true passion was rooted. When his time at OU drew to an end, Van Rooy accepted a nine month internship at Michigan State under fellow alum Martin Jarmond (‘03). The internship turned into a full-time position as Coordinator of Donor Services, and during the summer of 2008 he accepted a position alongside fellow alumni, Jim Harris (’04) and Eric Neuburger (’04), at Indiana University. Van Rooy’s role at IU as an external Development Officer takes him on many face-to-face donor visits on a regular basis. He has the opportunity to meet new people, establish connections, and cultivate lasting relationships. Development is a capacity where Van Rooy’s skill sets and abilities can shine.
Van Rooy had much to say about Ohio University and the opportunities the program has afforded him both personally and professionally. “If it weren’t for Ohio, I wouldn’t have been at this point in my career, I wouldn’t have the incredible circle of friends that I do.” The memories made will be ones that live on and keep many of his classmates connected to this day. They will always be able to reminisce about experiences such as Copeland all nighters, Pizza Hut with Doc. Higgins, the North Carolina Trip, and Shelf Night. Those were chances to grow closer together as colleagues, classmates, and most importantly as friends. Those memories and opportunities are reassurances of what truly goal-oriented people can achieve.
A believer in making your own luck, Van Rooy still believes things fall into place in the end. Colleagues and career aside, Van Rooy also wouldn’t have met his bride if it weren’t for OHIO. Kevin met Marissa during his second year of the program, and they returned to Athens this past summer for their wedding July 11, 2009.
The most valuable aspect of having a role in the OHIO Sports Ad legacy is difficult for Van Rooy to articulate. One thing he knows for sure is the need to represent the brand every day, even beyond graduation. To Van Rooy, giving back is contributing more than money; it’s mentorship. That means making time to offer candid advice to those who seek it and continue to cultivate lasting relationships with those in the OHIO Sports Ad network.
To those trudging through the program now who are seeking advice, Van Rooy emphasizes that the more real life experience you can take on, the better prepared you become. Seek out mentors who can help you evaluate options at this critical point in your careers. Those choices we make now will have ripple effects throughout your career. Connect and establish those relationships with humble confidence and tireless work ethic. But, he cautions that there is another essential element- having fun. Enjoying this time in the program is critical because it’s an opportunity so few are fortunate enough to experience, it’s an experience that is unparalleled.
Family and Career… for Van Rooy, those are two of life’s most significant and fulfilling elements. “When an event in your life is significant enough to change the scope of where you are today, that’s significance… and I can look back at my two years at Ohio and say I found both.”
