Hometown: Carolina, Puerto Rico

Degree and Class: MS, Sport Administration, 2018

How did you learn about/end up attending MSU?

I ended up at MSU after searching for open graduate assistantship opportunities available around the country. My situation was a bit different and I actually took the Student Affairs route in obtaining my assistantship. Thankfully, they were fully supportive of my desire to obtain my MS in Sport Administration and allowed me to take part in the amazing Sport Administration program at State.

What are the responsibilities of your current position?

In my current position, I oversee our Major League Video tasks as well as assist in Advance Scouting. In the video aspect, our video coaching is used by our players daily and our on-field staff to make in game adjustments and improvements throughout the entire season. This can vary from charting live games in the clubhouse, to uploading tons of video and data to our Dugout iPads for our players to use in game, to creating a playlist of our upcoming opponents on iPads so we can get a head start on scouting our next series. On the Advance Scouting side, I am tasked with creating reports (Game planning) on our opponents’ runners and defense (OF, INF, C), so that the team can determine how to gain a competitive edge on our opponents’ by identifying their strengths and weaknesses, so as to help us win more games.

What is your favorite part of the position?

My favorite part of the position has to be the fact that we’re able to be part of a team and have the ability to make an impact on the game from behind the scenes. We may be behind the scenes, but some decision that are made on field are because of what we’ve written in our reports beforehand and have gone over with the coaches and players pregame.

How did your education at MSU help prepare you for your field?

My Master’s degree at State helped me prepare in my field because of how real and hands-on the lessons are. Whether it was learning the proper ethics in life, or researching (which actually coincides with my advance scouting, we have to research a lot of what other teams do and don’t do well), or Funding of Sport, to name a few, they’ve all played small roles in helping me better understand and execute different aspects of the job. Even though it may not look like I’m doing “Administration of Sport” I am actually using it way more than you might think. We still have budgets, we still are involved in sports, we are still tasked with creating projects that cost money, etc… Being in the MSU Sport Administration Master’s program allowed me to prosper and blossom in the role with the Washington Nationals that I currently have. Without the support, motivation, guidance, and push from the professors at Mississippi State, I wouldn’t be in the role I am in now.

What advice would you give current students looking for internships or jobs in your field?

Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way and do it with the best of your ability. Sometimes you’re going to question why you’re doing what you’re doing, but down the road you will be thanking yourself for doing what you’re asked to do, taking that risk and giving it your all. I went from doing tons of manual labor in the Minor League for free as unpaid Intern working 60-65 hrs/wk, to driving vans to/from airports all across South Florida when I was a Player Development Intern, to winning a World Series in my current role now. It was a tough road, but believing in yourself and always being open to helping others and not complaining, will allow you to get to where you want to be in the end. Never take any opportunity for granted and give it your best in and out of the classroom. Never limit yourself to just one thing. I knew I wanted to be in sports and took an unconventional assistantship route to get to where I am. Many asked why I was in housing as a Residence Director (RD) if I wanted to be in sports? My answer was simple: The assistantship paid for my schooling and working as a Residence Director still developed vital skills necessary for work in sports. As an RD I had the opportunity to impact lots of students, lead a team, and gain valuable interpersonal skills that I use today in my current role.

What advice would give to incoming graduate students at MSU?

Never give up when things get tough. You will feel frustrated, overwhelmed, and ready to throw in the towel sometimes, but you’ll feel such pride when it’s all done and you’re walking across that stage knowing you worked so hard for the degree. Between juggling what seems like a full-time job in your assistantship, to night classes, to having to do lots of school work on top of it all, means you can get overwhelmed. Yet, as long as you establish a good support system, remain organized, and take care of your responsibilities, you will prosper. Always have an open mind and interact with your professors. MSU is blessed with some of the best professors I’ve ever had and they will become one of your best resources down the road.  So make sure you give them your best and they will give you theirs.