Friday, February 9, 2018

The 2018 GNAC Working In Sports seminar will take place on Saturday, March 3, at the Alaska Airlines Center on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage. Now in its fourth year, the Working In Sports provides high school and college-aged students with an interest in a career in athletics a chance to hear from, and network with, professionals from all aspects of the athletics industry.

The seminar is limited to the first 100 registrants. To reserve your spot, visit GNACTickets.com.

This Working In Sports Spotlight profiles one of this year’s featured panelists.

Name: Brian Scott
Current Position: Head Volleyball Coach University of Alaska Fairbanks
Years In Current Position: 3

Colleges Attended & Degrees: Weber State University (Undergraduate, Health and Human Performance)

Primary Job Responsibilities: Building life skills and helping student-athletes successfully complete an education through the sport of volleyball.

Things You Enjoy Most About My Job: I love to compete and I am passionate about my sport. I enjoy trying to instill that same passion and excitement with my student-athletes. Every morning I wake up anxious to work with talented athletes and coaches that love the same sport I do.

Why You Pursued A Professional Career In The Athletics Industry: I love my sport. I love to compete. I love the growth and development that takes place during the struggle of competition. I wanted to be around an environment where you constantly push yourself and see others pushing themselves to become better.

First Job In The Sports Industry: I was an assistant volleyball coach at Davis High School the year after I graduated from high school.

A Key Mentor Who Helped You On Your Career Path: Jamie Fox. She was the high school coach that convinced me to help her out the year after I graduated. She was always very passionate about what she did. I learned to love coaching that first year and have done it in some capacity ever since.

Most Influential Person In Your Early Professional Development (And Why): Grayson Dubose and Tom Peterson were the head coach and assistant coach at Utah State University and opened the door for my career at the collegiate level. I learned more from those two in my first year than I had ever known about the sport before. They have become good friends and I still visit with and learn from them on a regular basis.

Biggest Hurdle You Overcame Breaking Into The Sports Industry: I got started on my collegiate coaching career a little later than most people. It took some sacrifice to get in the door. I had an established job working at a local sports facility. I sold my home, quit my job and moved my family to volunteer at Utah State and get my foot in the door.

Key Attributes That Have Helped You To Be Successful: I am willing to take some risks and make some sacrifices. Things don't always fall into place perfectly and you have to make a leap of faith or give up a little to reach some goals. Additionally, I try to be a good learner. I search out any way to become a better coach and look to many different sources to become educated in my field.

Looking Back, What Is One Thing You Would Do In College Or Early On To Help You Along Your Career Path: I would have jumped in sooner. I hesitated. I could have done what I loved for an extra eight years.

Best Advice You Would Give To A Young Adult Wanting To Work In Sports: Find someone within your field that you respect and go learn from them. Volunteer, go to lectures or classes, read books, however you can learn from them and then go do it.

Favorite Sports Team: Utah Jazz and San Francisco 49ers

Favorite Athlete: Too many to list. Any athlete that gives it their all!

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: WAC Championship at Utah State. We beat No. 13 ranked Hawaii to win the WAC and go on to the NCAA Tournament.