Success Is Never Easy

The Beginning

There was really never a time, until my mid 20’s, where I said to myself that I wanted a career in Sport Administration. I actually wanted to own my own business, and after high school, I completed 2 year programs in both Business Management and Marketing Management. After a few years of waiting tables, working as an Advertising Sales Representative, and spending a short time as an Account Executive with the Indiana Firebirds (former AFL franchise), I realized that I was not happy with my job situation. In 2001, after a great deal of thought and soul searching, I decided to go back to school and work on my Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management.

Long road ahead

Sports had always been a great interest of mine, and I knew that my passion for sports and strong business acumen would make for a fantastic career, so that is what I did. While taking classes, I was also working 30+ hours a week, and served as the President/Co-Founder of the ISU Sport Management Club. I also spent a great deal of my free time in various volunteer and leadership roles around school and throughout the community. I had several enjoyable volunteer experiences, including the Corporate Challenge, the NCAA X-Country National Championships and the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments.

Another thing I did was to enhance my educational development by attending numerous job/career fairs, professional conferences and various front office seminars. These forums were great opportunities to network with industry professionals, and to gain a better appreciation and understanding for the “behind the scenes” aspects of the business. About mid-way through my senior year, my hard work and extra efforts were finally starting to pay off. I was receiving internship interview requests from several local/area sports organizations. I was also fortunate enough to meet the National Director and The Assistant Director of Operations with Scout Camp Pro Football Combines when they spoke in my Sport Management Internship Seminar class in October of 2005. I went up and talked to the gentlemen after class, and presented them with my resume and a business card that I made online. Later that day I received an e-mail asking me to contact them regarding an internship position. We scheduled an interview for the following Wednesday, and the following Friday, I was formally offered an administrative internship during the summer of 2006. During my time with Scout Camp, I learned a great deal, and was able to make a positive impact on the organization. Upon the completion of my internship, and after some organizational restructuring, I was named the new Director of Operations.

Hard work as paid off

Scout Camp Football Services is the premiere combine service in the country and offers NFL draft eligible college seniors, pro football veterans and qualified free agents the opportunity to attend several combines and have their skills showcased and their talents timed and evaluated. Scout Camp provides comprehensive print and online reports (data and video) and distributes those findings to NFL, NFL Europe, CFL, AFL, and af2 team in professional football. The Scout Camp Online Player Database (OPD) is used by pro personnel all throughout the year, and provides them with statistics on the most talented football players available. Scout Camp is the only authorized service to be attended by all the professional leagues. As Director of Operations, I am responsible for assisting Scout Camp’s Executive Director with all aspects of combine preparation, as well as all necessary data entry and overseeing our internship program.

You control your own future

A career in sports can be an exciting and wonderful experience for you if you are willing to prepare, work hard, and make sacrifices along the way. You are now approaching one of the most important decisions in your academic/professional life. When choosing an internship and/or an entry level position in this highly competitive industry you have to be able to work hard and find the job that is right for you. You may have to do more than one internship, continue to network, and utilize all of your resources. Success does not happen overnight!

As you prepare to take this next step in your life I wish everybody nothing but success. Your hard work, determination and knowledge will pay off in the end. The job is not going to find you; you have to be willing to go take it. I challenge each of you to go out and find your first job in sports!

About the Author

Aaron Hardesty is the Director of Operations for Scout Camp Football Services. He is responsible for all aspects of combine preparations as well as results data entry and video editing. He also oversees the Scout Camp’s intern program. Aaron received a bachelors degree in Recreation and Sport Management from Indiana State University and associates degrees in Business Management and Marketing Management .