🏆 Career Insights: NCAA Football Operations

From Graphic Design to Football Operations

Leah’s career journey began at Kent State University, where she majored in visual communication design with minors in event planning and user experience design. Initially, she envisioned a career in graphic design and secured an internship with her hometown team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, as a new media intern. Despite the challenges of working virtually during COVID, she was captivated by the energy of the sports industry and decided to explore it further. This led to an internship with Kent State’s football team, where she expanded her role from graphics and creative media to include various operational aspects and event management. This experience sparked her interest in football operations.

While at Kent State, Leah had the opportunity to work on NASCAR races at the Nashville Superspeedway and the NFL Draft in Las Vegas, gaining valuable experience in large-scale events. Her career advanced as she took on a graduate assistant position, handling both operations and creative design for the Kent State football program. Following this, Leah served as the Director of Football Operations at Fordham University, managing all logistical aspects of the football team. She now holds her current role at Army West Point, overseeing team travel logistics during the football season, including arranging flights, buses, and hotels. Additionally, Leah coordinates schedules with the head coach and chief of staff, ensuring seamless communication across the team.

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Observing Success & the West Point Standard

Throughout her career, Leah has observed various common traits of successful people around her, such as dedication, problem-solving skills, and a willingness to put the team first. “They’re always willing to help other people, even when it’s not necessarily their job,” she notes. An optimistic approach also plays a key role, as these individuals often maintain a positive attitude despite the long hours and challenges that come with the field. Their resilience and proactive approach contribute significantly to their effectiveness and overall success.

Leah also highlights the unique environment of the U.S. Military Academy, where no detail is too small. The cadets she works with have demanding schedules, balancing rigorous academic coursework with military duties and football. Leah is consistently impressed by their resilience and determination, which are more evident here than at other schools. The level of precision required in her role is something she had to adjust to, with the expectation that every task is done to perfection. This high standard, she says, is driven by both the academy’s culture and the leadership of head coach Jeff Monken.

Overcoming Challenges & Continuous Improvement 

One of the biggest challenges Leah faced was stepping into the Director of Football Operations role at Fordham University, where she quickly understood the complexities involved. “I had an idea of what the job entailed, but I didn’t fully grasp all the moving parts,” she says. Faced with this uncertainty, Leah focused on building relationships and asking questions. She established a reliable support network by seeking guidance and fostering trust with her colleagues. This approach helped her navigate the complexities of the role and bolstered her confidence, enabling her to succeed and thrive in the position.

Leah is driven by a desire to make the lives of those around her easier. “I work for others,” she says, noting that her goal is to create seamless plans and improve daily processes. She seeks mentorship and values learning from those in higher positions for continuous improvement. Throwing herself into new tasks, even when uncomfortable, has also been a crucial part of her growth. “You might fail or make mistakes, but doing the work is the only way to grow. It's hard to know at the moment that things will work out when you put in the work, but trust in the process and be where your feet are.”

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