Success in Action: Athletic Administration Jobs Journey - Ticket Sales to Management
Brett Purcell is a graduate of OHIO鈥檚 Master of Science in Athletic Administration (MAA) program and now serves as athletic director for Kenton City Schools in Ohio. We asked him about his experience as a master鈥檚 student and how the MAA curriculum helped him advance his job in sports management.
What is鈥痽our academic and professional background, including any certifications that you鈥檝e earned?
Purcell: I have a bachelor鈥檚 degree in sports management and a master鈥檚 degree in athletic administration, both from 51社区. After completing my undergraduate degree, I started my job in sports management working in ticket sales and client services for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Tampa Bay Rays and the Cincinnati Reds.
In 2011, I was hired as the athletic director for Waynesfield-Goshen Local Schools in Ohio. I served in that position for 8 years, prior to becoming the athletic director at my alma mater, Kenton City Schools, in 2019. I am a Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA), serve as the Northwest District Rep on the Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (OIAAA) Executive Board, and chair of the OIAAA State Conference.鈥
Why did you choose the MAA at 51社区?
Purcell: I had a positive experience in my undergraduate work in the sports management program. I loved my time in Athens, so there was really only one choice for me when I decided to get my master鈥檚. 51社区 is extremely well-regarded in the sports industry. I knew that a master鈥檚 from OHIO was going to carry weight for athletic administration jobs.鈥
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How did the MAA program help you along your academic and professional journeys?
Purcell: I knew that if I wanted to advance in my career, I would need to obtain a master鈥檚 degree. To land athletic administration jobs in larger districts, this would be a requirement. What I appreciated most about 51社区鈥檚 MAA program is how relative the course work was. I was fortunate to be in an athletic director position while completing the program, so for me, the coursework reinforced and validated what I was doing daily.
The cohort approach allowed me to work with individuals from all over the country. I had only ever had experience with interscholastic athletics in Ohio. It was beneficial to learn how different states operate and about new ideas that I could incorporate into my position.
What are some of your primary challenges as an athletic director? How does the knowledge gained during the MAA program help you address them?
Purcell: In athletic administration jobs like athletic director, you are basically the CEO of the athletic department. There are so many different areas that the AD is responsible for. Some of these would include scheduling, budgeting, fundraising, human resources, facility management, public relations and event management. A lot of organizations have individuals that are responsible for just one of these areas. As an AD, you must be able to cover all of them. The MAA program does a great job of covering each of these areas, along with others. There are specific courses that take a deep dive into all of the different aspects of the AD position, which better prepares you for managing them all each day.鈥
What makes your job rewarding, and what do you look forward to each season/year?
Purcell: One rewarding aspect of jobs in athletic administration is the opportunity to provide quality competitive opportunities for my students and seeing their growth throughout their high school careers. I love sports and sporting events. I take pride in providing the best possible opportunities for the students of Kenton. I also have a vested interest in the success of the athletic program as it was the program I competed for during my time in high school. I鈥檓 able to have this shared experience with my students and help them gain the skills and abilities necessary to go on from Kenton High School and be successful.
Another rewarding aspect is the bond that athletic directors have with each other. In many schools, you are a department of one. This is unlike most other positions in a school district. I have found that being involved with the OIAAA at the state and local levels has allowed me to build a network of athletic directors to lean on during difficult times, bounce ideas off and help me grow as an athletic director.
If you're interested in pursuing your MAA degree at OHIO,鈥reach out to discover more.鈥疧ur online MAA program is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA) and features a partnership with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) so you receive the industry-focused education you need to enter the next phase of your career. Our five decades of experience in sports education and industry-connected faculty ensure you graduate ready to make an impact as an athletic director in any K鈥12 institution.
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