WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Feb. 17, 2017 — Jarrett Moore is one college graduate who has found his niche.
Moore graduated from the West Liberty University’s Gary E. West College of Business last May with a degree in Sport Management. He is now working for Texas A&M Ventures, the official media rights holder for Texas A&M University.
“I always knew that I wanted to work in the sport industry and I can’t believe I’m getting to start at the Division I level. I really appreciate all the professors who helped me along the way and the companies and schools that made internships available. That experience is some of the best learning you can get. There is no substitute for on-the-job training,” Moore said.
Dr. Craig Crow, the faculty member in charge of the Sport Management major at WLU, said the major is designed for students interested in pursuing a career on the business side of sport organizations or for students who want to study the business of sport on their path to a business degree.
“It is one of ten majors offered in the College of Business. Recent alumni have found employment with Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, Louisville Sports Properties and the Pittsburgh Pirates, to name a few,” Crow said.
Immediately prior to graduation Moore earned an internship with Louisville Sports Properties, who is in charge of marketing for the University of Louisville and its nationally ranked athletic programs. Moore packed up soon after graduation and headed off to Kentucky for what was to be a three-month internship.
With the knowledge and experience acquired at Louisville, he then applied for a position with Texas A&M Ventures, the organization in charge of marketing for Texas A&M athletics. There were over 1,500 applicants for two positions and after several interviews, he was offered the position of Coordinator of Partnership Services. He was also told that he was needed in College Station, Texas in one week to prepare for the Aggies season opener against UCLA last September.
Moore finished his requirements at Louisville, packed and drove back to Weirton, his hometown. After two days at home he headed out a friend to drive cross-country to Texas after renting an apartment over the Internet for the second time in less than four months.
Kyle Field, where Moore’s office is located, holds over 100,000 fans and all seats were filled for the Aggies home opener and overtime victory over UCLA.
“It was just a little bit different than less than a year before when I was working a high school game in Pennsylvania while an intern with Scholastic Sports Marketing with less than 100 fans in the seats,” he quipped.
According to Professor Crow the sport industry is incredibly difficult to break into as a recent graduate. It is so competitive.
“It’s students like Jarrett who work hard to professionally develop themselves as undergraduates through extensive internship experiences, show a willingness to relocate and take the time to learn the industry that have the best chance at succeeding,” Crow said. Moore also was awarded the Sport Management Student of the Year last spring by WLU faculty.
Moore also credits his success to the leadership and assistance of Crow, who has been at WLU since 2009.
“Without Professor Crow’s instruction, guidance and support I would not have had the opportunity to go to Louisville, which lead to Texas A&M,” Moore explained. Both Crow and Moore also credit WLU business alumna and current Learfield Sports staffer Anne Edwards ’13 with helping Moore secure his internship in Louisville, describing her as instrumental to his success.
In addition to support for the football program at Texas A&M, which includes up to 13 hours on game day, Moore is responsible for women’s volleyball and women’s basketball. Despite the long hours, Moore loves his job and couldn’t be happier.
“When you do what you love it really isn’t work.”