Right Place at the Right Time:

While in college, Lexi realized the importance of internships. She interned at a company that produced plastic bottle caps for products like shampoo and Heinz ketchup bottles during the summer. Although she was only partially focused on working in sports, Lexi took on new opportunities that came her way, positioning herself well. Lexi's college roommate referred her for a Marquette University Men's Basketball Team position, and she aced the interview. While working in administration for a sports team, Lexi discovered her passion for the industry. In addition to her internship with Marquette, she began working with the Milwaukee Bucks as a game entertainment and operations intern to gain more experience and exposure. Lexi's hard work, dedication, and ability to build genuine relationships with colleagues paid off when she was offered a post-internship position with Marquette Basketball. While working there, she continued cultivating her relationships with the Bucks Front Office. “An important thing to remember is that building relationships and establishing a good reputation requires time and effort.” Soon, an opportunity arose, and she was ready to take on the role of Assistant to the General Manager for the Bucks. After seven months in this part-time position, she was offered a full-time job in Basketball Operations. Lexi was well-prepared for the opportunity that came her way, thanks to years of hard work and experience in the NCAA and NBA. Her success is not just a matter of luck - Lexi worked tirelessly to hold two positions simultaneously and consistently deliver high-quality results.

Continuous Growth – NCAA, NBA, MLS, Sports Agency:

Lexi attributes her success to her ability to establish and nurture strong relationships. She emphasizes a high value on diversification and gaining experience in various aspects of the industry. For example, working on both sports' business and team sides is essential. She believes that working in sports can be challenging, yet new challenges drive her. Taking on new ventures and stepping out of one's comfort zone is an effective way to learn and grow. Often, people become complacent when comfortable and only thrive when faced with challenges. While working in the Milwaukee Bucks front office, Lexi gained valuable experience in the workings of an NBA franchise, including team management, scheduling, contract negotiation, salary cap management, and strategic planning. The VP of Player Development at the time, Craig Robinson, started introducing Lexi to experiences within his department, which she found to be a natural fit, and she loved the challenge of being able to help guide players with their off-court development. Lexi was always up for a challenge and addressed issues others tried to avoid. She often took on overlooked tasks that were crucial for success. This approach helped Lexi demonstrate her skills beyond expectations, positioning her for new opportunities. As part of her role in player development, Lexi had the opportunity to plan events and community initiatives, which were a huge passion for her.

Seasons of Life:

Lexi emphasizes building your skills and knowledge outside the job. “It's important to establish yourself as an expert in your field, not just within your own company.” After almost eight years with the Milwaukee Bucks, COVID-19 caused a shift in what Lexi wanted for her career and work-life balance, prompting her to leave her player development role. “It's essential to stay connected with oneself, acknowledging the varying seasons of life and how they bring about new desires and priorities.” After a little stint in the NBA bubble and the 2020-2021 regular season, she accepted a role in Community Relations with the Chicago Fire. This role allowed Lexi to move back to her home city, explore a different sport, and get experiences in the area she liked most about being in player development. Soccer is a growing sport in the US, so taking on this new role for two years was a fantastic opportunity for her. However, she began to miss basketball and had to evaluate where she wanted to be next. She collaborated with numerous agents and agencies during her time in the NBA. One particular agency and its founder, EJ Kusnyer, stood out to her because of their approach to the sports business. A year later, EJ and LAMF Sports Agency needed someone to lead the Client Services department. This was the opportunity that Lexi had been waiting for, and she jumped at the chance to work for the agency. Since joining the team, she has been thriving in her new role. This shows the importance of establishing a solid reputation and proven systems to attract future opportunities that are often unpredictable.

Stay Tuned: This Week in Sports

USA TODAY Sports coaches top 25 poll for men's basketball: Kansas #1, Purdue #2, and Arizona #3, all at a 2-0 start. ESPN top 25 for women's basketball: South Carolina #1, Iowa #2, and UCLA #3.

Week 12 of the NCAA Football season will showcase #5 Washington against #10 Oregon State and #16 Utah versus #19 Arizona from the PAC12.

Ravens and Bengals face off on Thursday Night Football game in the competitive AFC North division. All four teams - Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Cincinnati - have winning records with only a 1.5-game difference between first and last place.

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