Demar Amacker currently serves as an Inside Sales Consultant with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Demar leveraged his experiences in the Sport Administration program into an entry-level position. In addition to serving as an account executive for the Fort Wayne TinCaps in 2009 while enrolled in his sport sales course, he also interned with Pacers Sports & Entertainment in 2010 and completed his internship with IMG in New York City in 2011. Research was a big part of finding his sport marketing internship, and IMG was his first choice out of a few offers. “Success takes initiative… you have to put in the effort to get a good internship. This will set the tone for the type of career you [will] lead,” Demar said.

Demar’s passion for working in the sport industry and early experiences in the field lead him to choose Ball State’s Sport Administration program.

“I’ve always known I wanted to work in sport and a program like Ball State’s allows an individual to decide the areas they don’t really enjoy while providing key training in each aspect of sports from different levels to different disciplines as well.”

Demar noted that educate and support students in the program. “The professors in this program really care about the well being of their students and that is something that you don’t find everywhere on campus.”

Alison Cramer, a native of Logansport, Indiana, was recognized as the Female Major of the Year winner in 2012.

She became involved in sport early starting with her experiences at Logansport High School as a 3 sport athlete, as well as working at the local YMCA. Her interest in sport is what peaked her curiosity about the program here at Ball State.

“When I was in high school I wanted to major in business and knew that I needed to pick something within business to concentrate on,” Alison said. “Sports have always been in my life and this would be a career path in which I know I will be truly happy going to work. I thought about what I was most interested by looking at Ball State’s website and the sport ad program was on the list of majors, […] and I knew that was for me.”

Alison’s favorite experience thus far was her experience as tournament director of the Jimmy Fund Classic Tournament, which raised $5,000 for cancer research. “Being able to sit back on the day of the event and watch it happened was an amazing experience.“

Cramer also served as Event Operations Director for the Chase Charlie Races in SPTAD 402 Event Management in the fall of 2010. Under the supervision of Dr. Pierce, the event attracted a then-record 460 participants.

Working with Chase Charlie and the Jimmy Fund helped shaped Alison’s career aspirations in event management and human resource management. She also has entertained the idea of attending graduate school prior to entering the work force. She completed her internship with the Indiana Sports Corporation and worked closely with the Super Bowl Host Planning Committee on the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis.

Jordon Haitsma is a sophomore in the sport administration program from Elkhart, Indiana. Through his athletic experiences in high school, Jordon learned that good things come from good effort, which he has continued to use as his motto as a student in the sport administration program. He said he easily made the decision, “by researching the Sports Administration Program here at Ball State before I got onto campus, it emphasized helping students succeed in whatever direction that you want to go in the sport industry.”

The most beneficial class in Jordan’s first two years on campus has been the Sports Communication class, where students have the opportunity to create media guides for local high schools. Jordon described Dr. Bussell, who teaches this class, as “a great woman that is so passionate about her students. She has taught me that if you go the extra mile, good things will come your way.”

He continued that it is a great experience getting to know the professors and that, “the effort and enthusiasm they have for the field of sports makes me eager to come to class prepared and ready to work everyday.” He also partook in the Sport Administration Associations trip to New York City, a trip to network with classmates and people in the industry.

Jordon’s future aspirations post-grad include obtaining employment in collegiate athletics as a sports information director. He accepted an internship this summer with the University of Notre Dame with Notre Dame Youth Sports to further his experience in the field of collegiate athletics. This will be just another sport-related experience to add to Jordon’s resume. Jordon was active in his first semester of college volunteering his time with the Burris NASPE After-School running program organized by Dr. Pierce, and he has also served as manager of the men’s basketball team at Ball State.

Advice Jordon offered to incoming freshmen to the program is to always go that extra mile, and that, “your career in the sports field is up to you, so going that extra mile could lead you into opportunities that you have worked hard for. Always be prepared, focused, and enthusiastic in volunteering, coming to class, and other things relevant to the Sport Administration program.”