Good mentoring grows good leaders. This is why the University of Oregon's Sports Product Management (UO SPM) program sets up its master's degree students for long-term success by pairing each one with an experienced professional in the sports product industry.
For students in the program, the benefits are obvious: They can chart their career trajectories with the guidance of those who are already leading in the students" top areas of interest. For their part, mentors gain the satisfaction of engaging deeply with the industry's up-and-coming talent.
“I've been obsessed with sports and sports products my entire life," said SPM student Leroy White.
Growing up, White played “pretty much every sport there is" and went to college on a football scholarship, graduating from Morehouse College.
After several years working as a product lead and merchandiser for such organizations as Nike, DICK's Sporting Goods, and Footlocker, Inc., White realized it was time to take his passions for leadership, communication, and athletic gear—particularly sneakers—to the next level. In August 2016, White moved from Atlanta, Georgia, to Portland, Oregon, to enroll in the UO SPM master's program. His career goal is to become a vice president of brand communications at a sports product company and later move into a chief marketing officer role.
White's mentor is Kevin Carroll, the well-known speaker, creative catalyst, and author of Rules of the Red Rubber Ball. Carroll previously worked for Nike where he was he was instrumental in helping the company develop a deeper understanding of athletic product performance, team dynamics, and interpersonal communication. He left Nike in 2004 to create his own company, Kevin Carroll Katalyst/LLC, committed to elevating the power of sport and play around the world.
Busy as both their schedules are, White and Carroll find time to talk several times each month. (UO SPM asks all Industry Mentors to commit to at least 30 minutes per month with their mentees.)
“It's very casual. I meet Kevin at his office or at a local coffee shop," said White.
Their talks are wide-ranging, with Carroll providing key insights on the sports product industry in general, along with specific advice on how White can use his time at SPM to shape his future career.
“Kevin has shown me how to identify the things I want to accomplish in the industry, how to plan to get them, and what to do next after those things are obtained," said White.
But career advice is just one part of the picture for White and Carroll.
“Kevin has helped me define not only what I want for my career, but also what I want out of life as a person," said White.
Are you a sports product industry leader who is interested in mentoring a student in the SPM master's degree program?