The Winter 2003 Quarterly profiles Alpha Phis in sports careers. Click here for the article.

When Christine Bannister (ΓΠ-Arizona State) signed on as a fulltime employee of Brener Zwikel & Associates, she was surprised to be assigned to the professional boxing circuit in the bright lights of Vegas. "With clients such as Tiger Woods, the PGA, NFL and Speedo®, I expected my experience to be eventful as well as educational," she says. Christine got what she expected, only in a sport she never imagined she'd be in.

After interning with the small sports public relations and marketing firm in 2000, she began full-time work the following year. Christine works as an account executive with top cable networks, in charge of all event credentialing and media and floor logistics for professional boxing matches at Vegas' most famous casinos. "I am lucky enough to be mixed in with the world of sports, entertainment, television and corporate business," she says.

"Though the sports world has made great strides in integrating females into the system, both on television and behind the scenes," says Christine, "the fact that it is still very much a male-dominated industry may discourage some women. But there are many ways to use it to your advantage."

Michelle, who worked as an assistant at The College of William and Mary for nine years, joined CNU in 2001 when the university added football to its athletic program. She was recruited by William and Mary's assistant head coach after he was named head football coach at CNU.

CNU became the first NCAA team to advance to post-season play in its first year of existence. "For the second year in a row, the team finished a season as the Dixie Conference champions and advanced to the NCAA playoffs," says Michelle.

She continues, "I feel like the team's success is also my success. I have been with them for every practice, workout, game, meeting and rehabilitation session."

"Communication is one of the cornerstones of our football/athletic training program," Michelle says, referring to her interaction with players, the head football coach, opponents' athletic trainers and her staff. She coordinates and supervises two team physicians, one physician's assistant, one physical therapist, two graduate assistant athletic trainers and two undergraduate student athletic trainers. She also coordinates emergency planning with a private emergency medical services company and the city's fire department.

"This is one of the best jobs anywhere. I was able to start a program from its inception - setting my own precedents, managing personnel and coordinating emergency logistics - and build everything from the ground up."

Katie Longworth (BE-Arizona) is media relations director for Major League Baseball (MLB), running the media department for the Arizona Fall League (AFL).

The AFL is known as the "graduate school" in baseball for the top Minor League prospects. Each MLB team sends six top prospects to the AFL, 180 players total. The two-month experience sharpens skills and gets players ready to participate in the big leagues.

"The AFL is unique because it is the only fall/winter league with this caliber of talent that exists in the U.S.," Katie says. Other winter leagues are played out of the country.

In her position, Katie attends between one and three of the three games played each day to write recaps and distribute player and league interest sheets to local mediums. She serves as liaison between media and players and coordinates and conducts interviews with coaches and players.

Although fall is the main season for her Arizona position, Katie's job also has taken her to Indiana and Wisconsin as advertising assistant to the Milwaukee Brewers and Indianapolis Indians Triple-A teams.

"In the sports industry, the name of the game is working your way up," says Katie. "In baseball, you might spend time with one team for spring training, go to another for the main season, then work a winter league elsewhere. It can be a lot of moving around, but putting in time and effort moves you up the ranks. Getting paid to watch a couple of baseball games every day isn't bad either!"

Katie credits Alpha Phis with her start in the industry: "When I was trying to battle my way into this profession during college, the support and encouragement of my sisters definitely kept me reaching for the stars."

Kim Miller (BA-Illinois) 

Kim Miller (BA-Illinois) is program director for USA Team Handball (USATH), the national governing body for the Olympic sport of handball in the U.S.

Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., she serves as administrator for USATH women's programs including the women's national team, merchandising and grassroots development.

Kim began working for USA Team Handball in January 2002 after completing an internship with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).

"As a recruiter, the first thing I look for on a résumé is experience in the field: tournaments, leagues, recreational programs, etc. Secondly, I look at other activities and overall GPA. If you are a well-rounded student, it tells me you learned time management and diversification in addition to multi-tasking."

Kim offers advice to those interested in pursuing a career in sports: "Be aggressive. Go out and do things above what you are asked to do. Network, and always take credit for your accomplishments."

She also recommends broadening your search. "Too often, I hear people say they want to work in professional sports," Kim says. "However, there are multitudes of sports organizations in addition to professional: USOC, recreational organizations such as parks and recreation centers, school-based programs, military or corporate programs, resort-based programs, foundations or special events."

Portia Pollock (ΗΣ-Lafayette) 

Since sophomore year in high school, she has coached summer basketball camps and leagues, and says, "I hope to someday run my own basketball camp."

A college soccer and basketball player, Portia was recently recognized by her high school in Cinnaminson, N.J., for soccer, basketball and softball achievements with an induction into the school's athletic hall of fame.

"I believe in healthy competition," says Portia. "It is extremely important for young female athletes to have female coaches as positive role models."

"It is very important to let women know there are many opportunities for them in the extremely male-dominated sports field," Leila says. "Not everyone in sports is an athlete, coach or trainer. Professional jobs within the industry are a wonderful niche for women, simply because not many females consider working in athletics as an option."

Mollie Quinn (BΔ-UCLA) 

Involved in the spirit program since September 1999, Mollie's position is dedicated completely to the spirit squad and typically requires 60-70 hours per week, pending the season.

"As an athlete in high school and at Linfield, I know from first hand experience that the athletic trainer is a vital piece in any athletic team," says Dana.

"While at Linfield, I had the privilege of working with the women's swim team and sister Aven Pendleton and the women's softball team including sisters Katie Paulin, Kelly Johnson and Alisa Galego," says Dana.