I have been publishing this blog for a little over a year now; I must admit I am surprised by the variety it contains. Each article addresses issues, people, events and information I consider pertinent to sport management professionals, business leaders, athletes, sport enthusiasts, high school/college students and their parents. Some are inspired by events in my personal life (especially my two daughters), by my interactions with students/alumni/colleagues (I am a sport management professor) and by the events and circumstances of everyday life. My goal is to provide content that helps readers look at things from a different perspective and enables individuals to learn while being entertained.

For this week’s blog I’d like to get your input.

• What types of topics do you enjoy the most?
• What issues would you like to see covered in upcoming posts?
• Do you have any questions about sport management at the college level or in the “real world” of business?
• Is there an area I have not yet covered that you feel should be examined and discussed?

This is your specific invitation to let me know what you want to see from me on this site. Please remember that I am always open to suggestions or comments—I am just taking this week to especially focus upon your thoughts and ideas. To make things easier and to serve as an overview (especially for those relatively new to the blog), I have organized past postings into categories. I am sure there is a better way to do this (feel free to share suggestions) but here goes anyway.

Listed below are the topics from the past year and the month in which you can find the original post within the archives. Please respond with your thoughts, ideas and suggestions for the future…I’m serious…let me know what you think and what you want in the future and I will do what I can to accommodate your wishes. In the meantime, thanks for reading and joining in on the conversation!

For All Readers
1st Time for Everything (March 2009)
A Different Perspective (April 2009)
I am _____? (January 2010)
Make a Positive Lasting Impression (October 2009)
Motivation (June 2009)
Peopling (September 2009)
Planning for Success (February 2009)
Preparation, Reaction, Change (March 2009)
Success (December 2009)
Taking Responsibility (July 2009)
Tips for Landing a Job (May 2009)
What do you read? (February 2010)

Networking and Social Media
10 Tips for Twitter Networking (August 2009)
Basic Networking Tips (January 2009)
How can Twitter help me? (April 2009)
Networking and Fantasy Football (September 2009)

Issues for College Students
Easing the Transition between High School and College (June 2009)
Get Involved (August 2009)
How do you study? (May 2009)
Student-Athletes (February 2009)

Sport Management Majors (Information and Conferences)
Advice for Sport Management Students (December 2009)
Choosing a Sport Management Program (July 2009)
CSRI Conference in Chapel Hill: Day One/Day Two (April 2009)
Health Care Reform and the Sport Industry (July 2009)
Make the Most of the New Year (January 2010)
Princeton Sports Symposium (December 2009)
Sport Management Faculty (February 2009)
Sport Management Projects (May 2009)
Students Host Professional Panel and Charity Event (October 2009)
YCP Alumni on the Web (May 2009)

Highlights of Sport Professionals
Bob Ancharski/Hershey Bears Hockey Club (April 2009)
Lewis Howes/Sports Networker (September 2009)
Steve Masterson/Game Face, Inc. (March 2009)
Packy Moran/University of Ohio (March 2009)
Becky Norris/Oklahoma City Thunder (March 2009)
Jeana Olchowy/National Pro Fastpitch (June 2009)
Dr. Ramlan/Director General of the National Sports Institute of Malaysia (November 2009)
Dave Salter/Author (October 2009)

Miscellaneous Topics
Brest Cancer Awareness Month (October 2009)
Fix It (February 2009)
Random Thoughts (November 2009)
Rush Limbaugh (October 2009)
Summer Job (June 2009)
Trip to Malaysia (November 2009)

If you know someone who has been affected by breast cancer you should watch this interview.  Dave has authored books on girls/womens athletics in the past.  This book will not only help fill the leadership void it also gives money back to help find a cure for breast cancer.

This week’s entry is a profile of York College Alum, Bob Ancharski (’04), and is based upon conversations with current student, Jason Yonkovitch.

What is your current job title and position? What does it involve?

As a season ticket sales manager for the Hershey Bears Hockey Club, I service and actively sell over 4,200 tickets (ranging anywhere from a 10-game flex plan to a full season plan). I also handle various other American Hockey League duties related to sales.

What job has been the most helpful in terms of you reaching your current position? How did the York College Sport Management Program assist you in your career?

I was actually really lucky. I had my “Dream Job” before I even graduated from YCP. I volunteer-interned with the BEARS for two years and went above and beyond the call of duty. Most of the jobs were not fun, but they got me to where I am today. I would have to say that interning is THE MOST important piece of the puzzle for young sport management professionals. I think the Program does an awesome job of getting your ready for the real world. I use my education on a daily basis and have had discussions with faculty members about a sales class that would really help the students.

What was the biggest impact that your experience at York College had on your life/career?

I learned how to push through the tough times. I was never the best student in terms of grades but I always had my goals in front of me, and having a passion for something is a key in getting through the tough times. I also played baseball at York. I learned many life lessons from Paul Saikia and Mike Scappa that I still use today. After the long grind of a college baseball season, a long day at the rink doesn’t seem so bad!

If there was one thing that you could “re-do” throughout your college career, what would it be?

I would have taken my first two years of college a little more seriously. I was very good in the Sport Management curriculum, but my general studies fell behind. I try not to have regrets, but that would be one!

What aspect of the Sport Management Program helped you the most?

All of the professors on staff never let my work be average. I think they really brought out the best in me throughout my time at York. I was pushed, yet encouraged at the same time. They supported my internship and actually encouraged me to take on another year. I am thankful for that advice!

What were you involved in throughout college? What was your biggest accomplishment?

I was a 3-year starter for the York College Baseball team. I set many offensive records while at York; they may still stand today, I’m not sure because I haven’t looked in a while. In addition, I met my wife at York (even though she did not attend the college). We are going to be welcoming our first child into the world next month. I have nothing but great things to say about the school.

What is the best advice you could give to the students currently enrolled in the Sport Management Program as they are beginning their careers and respective futures?

Intern, intern, intern…because interning leads to networking and networking leads to jobs. It is really pretty simple. I’m sure everyone has a home town team, take the time to phone them. Ask if you can shadow for a day, ask if you can be the mascot, do SOMETHING to set yourself apart from others. Honestly, it is tough getting a job in this industry, take it seriously!

Just for fun…what was your favorite class and what was your crisis situation for Sport PR?

My favorite class was Sport PR. I really learned a lot about writing and that class was by far the most hands-on and realistic class the major offers. The baseball team was actually on a long road trip when our crisis situation hit, I was fortunate enough to kind of slip in at the very end and act like I save the day! I think I owe my group big time for covering for me! I owe them a drink!