The Rice University Sport Management faculty hosted a seminar for the Houston Dynamo players on March 10 in order to teach them the basics about the sport industry.
Each faculty member was able to draw from their expertise both as a professor and from their previous careers. Dr. Clark Haptonstall led a session on branding and also working with the media. Tom Stallings discussed the importance of networking and making the most out of public appearances. Dr. Jason Sosa talked about all of the different working opportunities that are available in the sport industy.
"Admirably, the Dynamo's front office wants to help its players transition into a another career once their playing days are over," Haptonstall said. "While surveying the players, they found that the majority of them want to work in the sport industry when they are finished playing. Rocky Harris (the vice president of the Dynamo) gave me a call and asked if we would be willing to help. I told him we'd be glad to."
Additional links:
Houston Dynamo website (video)