Friday, February 23, 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 seminar 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: T.J. Garlatz
Current Position: Associate Head Coach - Cross Country and Track & Compliance Assistant, University of Alaska Anchorage
Years In Current Position: 11th year at UAA

Colleges Attended & Degrees: University of Washington (Undergraduate, Mathematics), Western Washington University (Graduate, Human Movement, and Performance)

Primary Job Responsibilities: Specific to coaching: Assisting the head coach with most coaching tasks - recruiting, writing training plans, scheduling, presiding over workouts, coaching at competitions, meeting with athletes and advising athletes. Specific for compliance: Assisting the director of compliance with most day-to-day compliance tasks and end of year projects.

Things You Enjoy Most About Your Job: Being able to work with motivated student-athletes and to help mentor them to reach their goals.

Why You Pursued A Professional Career In The Athletics Industry: I love sports and didn't want work to feel like work.

First Job In The Sports Industry: Volunteer HS cross country and track coach.

A Key Mentor Who Helped You On Your Career Path: Dr. Steve Cobb.

Most Influential Person Your My Early Professional Development (And Why): Michael Friess. He believed in my capabilities and helped develop a position to maximize my talents and interests.

Biggest Hurdle You Overcame Breaking Into The Sports Industry: Getting hired into my first full-time coaching position. There are many applicants who go for all jobs and it is difficult to get your foot in the door.

Key Attributes That Have Helped You To Be Successful: Strong academic background, good work ethic, high self-efficacy, strong organizational and planning skills, and persistence.

Looking Back, What Is One Thing You Would Do In College Or Early On To Help You Along My Career Path: I wouldn't change anything that I did. Being involved in athletics as a student-athlete was a great start for me. Obviously, not everyone can be a collegiate athlete, but the experience is invaluable.

Best Advice You Would Give To A Young Adult Wanting To Work In Sports: Take your academics very seriously, as a strong educational background is a great equalizer in life. Don't assume it is going to be easy. Be prepared to work your way up from the bottom.

Favorite Sports Team: Toss-up between the Seahawks, the Mariners and the University of Washington football team.

Favorite Athlete: Ken Griffey, Jr.

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: As an athlete, helping guide Western Washington University to its first-ever NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship and then placing 13th in the nation. We were a group of underdogs who trained very hard with a common goal and achieved (relative) greatness!