At the end of October, Michael Sam Jr. ‘15 gave a speech at the 5th Annual Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Houston Scholarship & Awards Banquet. Sam, a previous winner of the PCA Triple-Impact Competitor award, addressed a sizable audience to relate his story and belief in the organization.
Sam, a senior Sport Management major at Rice University, previously completed an unpaid internship with PCA. Part of his internship included creating a proposal that he presented to potential grant providers, which ultimately helped bring in $30,000 for low income HISD schools. With this internship as well as the PCA award under his belt, Sam was the ideal person to speak to donors at the banquet.
Dr. James Disch, associate professor of the Department of Sport Management, attended the event and sang high praise of Sam’s speech.
“It was the first time for PCA to have a former athlete and worker give a speech,” Disch said. “Michael was the perfect person with the perfect pitch. His speech was honest, heartfelt, and incredibly well received.”
The event was successful in raising $12,500 in donations, thanks in part to Sam’s sincere words. Click here to listen to his speech.
When asked about a course of action after graduating from Rice, Sam said his plans are pending, but that he has been accepted to the Master of Divinity program at George W. Truett Seminary. There, he would pursue a Masters of Divinity with a concentration in Sport Ministry/Chaplaincy. He has also been accepted to intern with Athletes in Action as a campus minister with the call to reach college and professional athletes around the world with the Gospel.
Olivia Williams, a senior from Nevada, TX, is majoring in Sport Management and minoring in Business.