Well, I just finished my first week of classes! Needless to say, I already feel slightly overwhelmed. As I mentioned in my previous blog, I am taking six classes for a total of 18 credits. In each of my classes, I have been assigned a “major paper.� For instance, in three of my classes, I have to write a 10-12 page paper on a particular subject that relates to the class. In my other three classes, I have to write a 5-6 page paper. Thankfully, the major papers are not due until mid November or early December.

On Thursday, my professors mentioned to my class that the name of my major has changed. It is now called “Sport Business� instead of “Sport Management.� The change was made to accommodate the fact that our program is in the School of Business. Students that chose to major in Sport Business not only need to take sport classes, but business classes as well, including accounting, management, marketing, economics, and finance.

I have already begun the process of looking for spring internships. I would love to have the opportunity to intern with a Major League Baseball team. I would love to intern in an organization’s Baseball Operations Department, which includes Scouting and Player Development, Media Relations, or Community Relations Departments. The instructor for my Professional Development Seminar class has told us that we have to decide on an internship by November 6th, which is about 10 weeks away. Ten weeks sounds like it is a while away, but before I apply for any internships; I would like to redesign and update my resume. I would also like to contact possible organizations that may be looking for interns. As my instructor advised us, searching and applying for internships is like a full time job, we better start now!

The campus has really changed since May. There is a lot of construction that is occurring right now. There will soon be a round-a-bout in the main entrance of the campus which will allow people to travel to the east and west sides of campus. Our new student center is about a couple months away from being completed also. It has really come along since I left campus three months ago! I also noticed the mail room, where we normally pick up any incoming mail that may come in, has been moved from DeChantal Hall to the old SAC shop. The SAC shop was where students and faculty could purchase subway sandwiches, cold beverages, and other snacks. In a way, the shop was similar to café, but it was open longer. The shop benefited the students because it allowed us to have a late night snack! Until the new student center opens, the SAC shop will be where the cafeteria is, which is in the first floor of Apartment 4.

Our New Clock Tower and the New Student Center (left)

In my next blog, I will give you an update on how my first month of school went, the new community center, and how my internship search is shaping up.

In my first month of school, I have had two papers, three quizzes, and a group presentation. I have two exams, another paper, and another presentation to look forward to in the next few weeks! As you can see, school is already in full swing!

Since the beginning of the semester, the Sport Business Department has had a new faculty member. His background is in facility management and tickets. He currently teaches two of my classes, Sport Marketing and Sociology of Sport. I think I am going to enjoy both of his classes. He is the type of instructor that believes his students learn the best when they are put into groups. For instance, in Sociology of Sport, we may role play in one class about a certain issue that has occurred recently. In my Sport Marketing class, we may divide into groups to talk about how we may market a sports team’s success or failures.

My Professional Development Seminar class is going well. I have had the opportunity to re-design and update my resume and create my own business cards. I have also spoken to the instructor on a personal level on the best way to handle my internship search. I have applied to five organizations, made countless calls, and searched web sites to see if organizations offer internships. In the next week, I am scheduled to have a group interview where two of my classmates, my instructor, and a guest instructor will ask questions about a particular job that was given to me. This kind of mock interview is great because it will prepare me for when I interview for an internship or position in the next few weeks or months.

As I mentioned in my second blog, before school adjourned in the spring, I was fortunate enough to earn a job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a Luxury Suite Assistant. I was given the opportunity to work for the Bucs through networking. This made me realize that networking is a huge part of any industry, but especially the sport industry. In the past month, I have worked two Bucs games and three University of South Florida football games. I really enjoy the work. I am able to interact with fans and work in an environment that is extremely fun. It is enjoyable for me to work at a stadium where everyone is wearing red for the Bucs or green for USF. It is even more enjoyable when the stadium is sold out because everyone is so passionate about the game.

The student activity center is almost completed! In fact, there are only two weeks of construction left! In a few weeks, some of the departments will be moving into the center, along with the bookstore, café, and new SAC shop. I can only imagine how nice the center is going to be when it is finished. The café is expected to be open by the second week of October, which will be right around “Parents Weekend.� Since the center will be open by the middle of October, I am happy that I will be able to use it for a few months. I think it has the capability to make the campus even more appealing to current and future students. So if any prospective students read this blog, make sure you visit the campus to check it out!

View of New Round-A-Bout and New Student Center from Main Entrance

Yesterday, I came back from Chicago after spending Thanksgiving break at home with my family. As always, it is great to be home! I had wonderful home cooked meals, I was able to sleep in my own bed, drive my own car, and I was able to see a few friends. I spent most of my break chiseling away on my school work I have due this week. I developed a Power Point presentation for my Professional Development Seminar class on Competitive Balance in Major League Baseball, wrote a paper on The Rookie for my Sociology of Sport class, and wrote an 11 page paper on Pat-Downs in the National Football League. I was busy!

The day before I flew out of Tampa, I worked the University of South Florida football game. The game started at 8 p.m. and did not end until about 11:30. The staff, including myself, left Raymond James Stadium at about 12:30 a.m. I was scheduled to depart later that morning at 8 a.m. Since the airport is so close to the stadium, I decided to spend the night at the airport. I was hoping to find a nice comfy seat in an area with dim lights to take a nap, but unfortunately, I never found my spot. Let me tell you, it was a long night! Thankfully, the Tampa airport has free wireless internet or I would have gone crazy! I finally fell asleep around 5:30 a.m. I probably slept for an hour. By the time I woke up, I could not wait to get on the plane and get home! That is an experience I will never forget!

I live in the southwest suburbs of Chicago in a town called, Bolingbrook. Recently, my town completed construction on a beautiful outdoor mall. I know, an outdoor mall in a climate like Chicago?! Believe me, I would not have dreamed of it either! The night I got into town, the mall debuted a lights festival that was developed by Carson Williams. Williams was the gentlemen that developed the synchronization with Christmas lights and a song by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. If you do not remember what I am describing, here is a link of one of his projects:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRvzcs3gQYk

The festival was very neat to see. Since it was opening night, the place was PACKED! The mall utilized a huge tree decorated with lights and different Christmas props to correspond with “Wizards in Winter� by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. For Thanksgiving, my grandparents came up from St. Louis. It was great to see them. I am definitely looking forward to going home in a few weeks for Christmas break.

Christmas Decorations from Home

Since my last blog, a lot has been going on campus. The new student center is finally open! The lounge area of the student center will be a great place for students to meet during their free time. The cafeteria is very nice. There are two HD TV’s, and even booths to sit! As of right now, there is a pasta bar, salad bar, grill area, pizza, and sandwich area to name a few.

The student center opened during Fall Family Festival, which is a weekend where families and friends of students come to visit. This year, the school hired a hypnotist. I could not believe how much influence the hypnotist had on his volunteers. It was very funny. The school also had a talent show where students sang, acted, and rapped. The following day, the school held their Fall Family Festival. Fraternities, sororities, and other student associations/groups were in attendance. There was also a climbing wall, belly dancers, a camel, and a joust area where people could battle each other on an inflatable.

Belly Dancer Performing at Fall Family Festival

The next day, San Antonio, a neighboring city, held their “Rattlesnake Festival" which offered entertainment, crafts, a reptile and snake show, food, and gopher races.

Sleeping Tiger from Rattlesnake Festival

I am still searching for an internship for the spring semester! I have applied to a number of different organizations. I am proud to say, I did have an in-person interview with three departments of a Major League Baseball team. Everyone I spoke to was very nice and personable. Even if I do not get any of the positions, I still feel as if I learned a great deal from the process. All I can do right now is keep on plugging!

In the next few weeks, I have four presentations and six papers to complete. Finals will be here in no time!

Yesterday, I completed my last final at Saint Leo. As I look back on this semester, I can not believe how quickly it has gone! It seems as if my last two weeks have been a total blur. I had four presentations and six papers due. Needless to say, I finished everything on time and to the best of my abilities. Saint Leo uses a computer program named, “E-Lion� which contains information regarding one’s tuition, financial aid, registration, transcripts, and grades. As of right now, all of my grades from this semester have already been uploaded into the system. I am very satisfied with what I earned which is always good.

You may be thinking since I just took my last final, I am graduating in the next few days, right? Well, I will be graduating soon, but not yet. As I mentioned in one of my previous blogs, before Sport Business majors can graduate, everyone is required to complete an internship in the sport industry. The internship must run at least 12 weeks, and the intern must work 40 hours a week. Within the past two weeks, I have received three offers to intern for three separate Minor League Baseball teams. The teams were located in Southern California, Tennessee, and Florida. I have decided accept a Media Relations internship with a local minor league team. The internship includes a monthly stipend, food, and housing. Normally, it is very difficult to find an internship that offers all three. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity that has been given to me. I will begin interning on January 7th and work up until the end of the Florida State League season. One of the many things I am looking forward to is spring training. Baseball, thankfully, is right around the corner!

A few weeks ago, the school sponsored a winter formal at an off-campus location. I attended the formal with my girlfriend and a couple of our friends. The tickets were very reasonable and the price also included food. She and I had a really good time.

Saint Leo University's 2007 Winter Formal

One week ago, my peers from my Professional Development Seminar class and I attended the annual business etiquette dinner. This experience gave us the opportunity to intellectually interact with faculty outside of school. It also allowed us to improve our table manners and social skills to better prepare ourselves for possible future business meals. Before we attended the dinner, we were given a guide as to how to properly dress, introduce ourselves, use the silverware, and eat. I would have never dreamed that after using a knife, it is proper to place the knife on the plate so the blade faces you. Overall, it was a good experience. I definitely learned more than I had known prior to the dinner.

In two days, I will be traveling to Chicago for winter break. I am looking forward to going home for two weeks. It is a family tradition for my family and me to travel to St. Louis for the holiday. I was born in St. Louis so it is always nice to go back to my first home. While I am in Chicago, I am hoping to catch a Chicago Bulls game, and then while we are in St. Louis, tour the new Busch Stadium and eat at Albert Pujols’ new restaurant.

Since I will no longer be living on campus next semester, my blogs will begin to describe my internship experience. You will be able to read first hand the differences in what it is like to work everyday, as opposed to going to class and participating in some of the activities the school offers. I am anxious for my internship to begin; however, my year and a half at Saint Leo has truly flown by. Part of me does not want to leave yet. College life has been good to me, and I have made the best of my opportunities here. But I know part of life is about growing up. This past summer, I was glad I was not entering the real world just yet. Now I feel as if I am ready. Have a great holiday and a fantastic new year! I will see you next year!