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From Helicopter Pilot to Sports Connector: Building Military Community in Professional Sports
What happens when a 26-year Navy helicopter pilot becomes a Zamboni driver and uses that experience to revolutionize how sports teams connect with military communities?
Russ Thompson's journey from commanding helicopter squadrons to driving ice resurfacing machines to building groundbreaking military outreach programs shows how unconventional paths can lead to extraordinary impact. After retiring from the Navy, Russ worked in special education and coached basketball before taking a part-time job at a hockey rink. It was there, watching the San Diego Gulls practice, that he saw an opportunity everyone else had missed.
In this episode, Russ shares how he turned his observations into action, writing the point paper that would land him a role with San Diego Loyal FC and eventually lead to the creation of the San Diego Pro Sports Military Alliance - bringing together multiple professional teams to serve the city's massive military population of over half a million people.
You'll hear about the childhood Red Sox game that still drives his work today, why authenticity matters more than recognition ceremonies, and how understanding your market through data can open doors that networking alone can't. Russ also breaks down what it really takes to break into sports from the military - including why that part-time job might be more valuable than you think.
Whether you're transitioning out of the military, working in sports, or just curious about how authentic community impact gets built, this conversation offers practical insights and proof that military experience isn't something to translate - it's something that can transform entire industries.
Episode Topics:
- Building military outreach programs that actually serve the community
- Why data and research matter when pitching sports organizations
- Breaking into sports through unconventional entry points
- The business side of professional sports teams
- Creating authentic connections vs. performative recognition
Reach out to Russ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-thompson-00429a5/
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By Veterans in SportsWhat happens when a 26-year Navy helicopter pilot becomes a Zamboni driver and uses that experience to revolutionize how sports teams connect with military communities?
Russ Thompson's journey from commanding helicopter squadrons to driving ice resurfacing machines to building groundbreaking military outreach programs shows how unconventional paths can lead to extraordinary impact. After retiring from the Navy, Russ worked in special education and coached basketball before taking a part-time job at a hockey rink. It was there, watching the San Diego Gulls practice, that he saw an opportunity everyone else had missed.
In this episode, Russ shares how he turned his observations into action, writing the point paper that would land him a role with San Diego Loyal FC and eventually lead to the creation of the San Diego Pro Sports Military Alliance - bringing together multiple professional teams to serve the city's massive military population of over half a million people.
You'll hear about the childhood Red Sox game that still drives his work today, why authenticity matters more than recognition ceremonies, and how understanding your market through data can open doors that networking alone can't. Russ also breaks down what it really takes to break into sports from the military - including why that part-time job might be more valuable than you think.
Whether you're transitioning out of the military, working in sports, or just curious about how authentic community impact gets built, this conversation offers practical insights and proof that military experience isn't something to translate - it's something that can transform entire industries.
Episode Topics:
- Building military outreach programs that actually serve the community
- Why data and research matter when pitching sports organizations
- Breaking into sports through unconventional entry points
- The business side of professional sports teams
- Creating authentic connections vs. performative recognition
Reach out to Russ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russ-thompson-00429a5/