Front Office U

Front Office U Welcomes Jeff Parry!

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Parry from the University of Notre Dame to discuss his role in Compliance, where he helps navigate benefits, scholarships, and NCAA regulations.

A Utah native, Jeff attended BYU before gaining hands-on experience as a compliance intern and earning his law degree from the University of Florida. With aspirations of becoming an Athletic Director, he saw compliance as a path to better understanding the college athletics.

Jeff shares insights into his journey, what excites him about working in college sports, and how compliance plays a crucial role in supporting student-athletes and programs.

Tune in for a great conversation about the behind-the-scenes world of college athletics!

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Front Office U Welcomes Michelle Hofacker!

Michelle is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Previously, she worked with the Eau Claire Express, where she was the Director of Marketing.

Michelle also gained prior experience in sports with the Green Bay Gamblers as a Broadcast and Media Relations Intern, as a Marketing Intern with Baer Performance Marketing, and with the Timber Rattlers as a Cashier and with the Promotions Crew.

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Front Office U welcomes Jason Jones.

Jason is a retired US Navy supervisor and has earned degrees in sports management from the University of Arizona and LSU.

For over two years, he has also gained experience with PLSA Sports Management Group LLC and with the city of Midway as the Director of Parks and Recreation.

Tune in to learn more about Jason's career!

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Front Office U welcomes Isaac Acuna!

Overseeing the daily ice operations of Little Caesars Arena, home of the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL, Isaac worked his way up from minor league and smaller rinks, and shares about his journey towards getting there.

Isaac has a Sports Management degree from Southern New Hampshire University and gained great experience while taking classes online, which allowed him to develop his professional career and set himself up for post-graduation.

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Front Office U welcomes Darryl Wolski

Darryl sheds light on a career as a player agent. He shares about his experiences in hockey, including working at the World Juniors hockey tournament and navigating a changing landscape in the agency world.

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Front Office U welcomes Michael Nieckula!

Michael joins us from the Minnesota Wild and shares his career experiences. Attending school at the University of Iowa and gaining valuable experience with the Chicago Blackhawks and Sioux Falls Stampede helped him earn a full-time role in the NHL.

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Front Office U welcomes Doc Kelley!

Kelley is a professor in the Sports Administration Program at the University of Cincinnati. With over 15 years at UC, Doc has seen the program grow to over 400 majors, offering courses on fundraising, revenue generation, and more.

Doc shares his journey from playing hockey to finding his passion in basketball through camps at St. Bonaventure and Syracuse. He reflects on the mentors who shaped his career, like Ohio University’s Andy Kreutzer, and valuable lessons and advice for others. He dives into the importance of volunteering, proactive networking, and following up.

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Front Office U welcomes Branden Estrada!

Branden has in the NHL with the Anaheim Ducks for over a year as an Account Executive. Tune in to hear about how he gained experience in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls and as a student-athlete at Loyola Marymount University.

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Front Office U welcomes Jackson Pretli!

Jackson has gained a variety of sports experience in his career. Attending Brock University in Canada, Jackson was able to take on internships with the Windsor Spitfires, Welland Jackfish, and Niagara Ice Dogs. Additionally, Jackson worked in the MLB with the Toronto Blue Jays as an Activation Team Member.

Now at Ohio University, Jackson recently completed an internship with the Ontario Hockey League and is able to develop as a sports professional while earning his master's degree.

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We explore Joe's college experience at Arizona State University, his time in guest experience roles with the Arizona Cardinals, and his transition to full-time sales with the Coyotes, including the exciting move from Glendale to Mullett Arena. Joe also discusses what led him to Oak View Group and the similarities and differences between working for a sports team and a 360° venue services company.

Plus, it’s Flash Friday! Get to know Joe beyond his career as he answers two fun questions about his life outside of work.

Tune in for valuable insights, advice, and inspiration for breaking into and excelling in the world of sports business.

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn