Author: ws-nhotchkiss (Page 3 of 4)

On February 19, members of the Gonzaga Exceptional Bulldogs Hockey team held a scrimmage during halftime of the Spoke Chiefs game. Playing for about 10 minutes, the team showed off their hockey skills to a cheering arena.

Gonzaga Exceptional Bulldogs hockey team is part of the American Special Hockey Association. Boys and girls aged three thru 21 with Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are encouraged to participate under the belief that “hockey is for everyone.”

Mark Derby, Ph.D., is professor of special education at Gonzaga’s School of Education and the coach of the Gonzaga Exceptional Bulldogs Hockey team. In fact, Derby played hockey for over twenty years. His students volunteer to participate in hockey practices every Friday, which gives them an opportunity to practice what they’re learning outside of the classroom.

“It’s very rewarding for the kids,” said Derby. “I think one of the big things that the parents talk about with the kids is that they can have a niche that’s theirs. One of the things about growing up and being an adolescent and being a kid is that you’ve got to have something that you’re connected to, that’s yours. We provide these kids to have something that’s theirs.”

Benefits of hockey for people with disabilities are great. Caregivers and parents notice improvements in communication, social relationships and behavior. The program encourages each individual to develop personal skills such as dependability, self-reliance, concentration, accountability and willingness to share, to name a few.

The Gonzaga Exceptional Bulldogs partner with Gonzaga University, the Spokane Youth Hockey Association and the Spokane Parks Department to provide an enriching and exciting experience for all participants.

Derby has plans for the team to grow and continue to provide a place for all participants to enjoy themselves. “Having this opportunity to watch kids experience sheer enjoyment and togetherness, along with being able to watch the college students interact with them…is more rewarding than I could’ve imagined.”

Check out the photos below from the February 19th game!

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Written by Russel Jang, Sport and Fitness Management major, ’18

For the Foster Farms Bowl internship, I reached out to a member of the San Francisco 49ers and asked them about working the bowl during Christmas break. I not only assisted with the game, but everything that led up to the game as well. The teams involved in the game would show up four to five days early to experience the Bay Area and it was our job to entertain them as well as assist with the game.

Before game day, I was assigned to be a team assistant for the University of Arizona during their time in the Bay Area. I went with them to the events, such as their tour of Alcatraz, their service event at GLIDE Church on Christmas, and their Bowl game press conference. I also attended their practices and assisted them with making sure their travel and practice went smoothly. I was in charge of the hospitality suite for the University of Arizona coaches and family and made sure that they had a great experience in the Bay.

On game day, I had a lot of different responsibilities. At the beginning of the event, I was in charge of the bands and when it was time for them to get on to the field for their performances. I was also in charge of the half time band performance and the field goal kicking competition. I finally would help with the Trophy presentation and getting all the players from the winning team on the stage and in front of the cameras.

Overall this experience of working the Foster Farms Bowl was great. It allowed me to work with college athletes and professionals and it is something I will be able to translate in my later career.

This is the first part in a three-part series. To read part II, click here. To read part III, click here.

A brief connection often goes a long way. The world of networking may seem like an overwhelming one, but it certainly helps connect oneself to a number of opportunities.

Here at Gonzaga University, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport and Physical Education, Dr. Jimmy Smith, holds the world of networking in a high regard. He works to expose his students to a variety of networking opportunities. Through connections with a company called Tremont Global Education, Smith took a group of students to Phoenix, AZ, last spring, giving them the opportunity to interact with people from the Phoenix Suns (NBA), Phoenix Coyotes (NHL), and Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), along with attending Major League Baseball Spring Training. Through further connection with Gonzaga baseball alumnus, Anthony Synegal, the group also met with the marketing executive for the Arizona Cardinals (NFL).

“We show up and we talk to executives and ask, how do I get these jobs? What do I need to do? Whose hands do I need to shake?” Smith said. “It makes a lot of sense for the students when they’re hearing it from different people.”

Fast forward to June 2017, Dr. Smith connected again with an individual from Tremont Global named Scott Gray. The two discussed the curriculum of the Sports and Fitness in the Digital Age class here at Gonzaga, and the focus on the use of technology in the sports industry. After further discussion, Gray mentioned his connections with the Kansas City Royals and the challenges they face.

The Royals (along with all Major League Baseball teams) have representation in the Dominican Republic. Gray connected Smith with them, specifically their liaison, Jeff Diskin, Director of Cultural Development for the Kansas City Royals, who is responsible for preparing prospects to make the jump to the Major League in the United States. These players often lack a basic understanding of cultural differences, and their success hinges on developing that basic understanding.

“They need help understanding something as simple as doing laundry, opening a checking account, leaving a tip at a restaurant, or even ordering at a restaurant,” Smith said.

After connecting with the Royals and examining the curriculum and projects of the Sports and Fitness in the Digital Age class, GU students decided to take on a semester long project in which they create video content for the Royals’ athletes who are transitioning from the Dominican Republic. The players can watch these videos to prepare for their transition to play in the United States.

The trip to Phoenix last spring worked as a networking springboard that eventually connected GU to this project. Networking plays a big role in discovering exclusive projects like this.

“When you’re a college student, you get into these bubbles. But I think one of the greatest opportunities is to get outside of that comfort level, because once you leave college, that’s exactly what you’re going to have to do,” Smith said.

This is why Dr. Smith strives to organize similar trips. These trips give students an opportunity to escape the bubble and connect with professionals in the industry. The goal is to not only help students learn how to talk to people, but understand how talking to people can lead them to different opportunities and future projects. The trips emphasize interaction with professionals to create the connections that eventually springboard into something bigger – the same way Smith’s connections with Tremont Global eventually connected him to the Royals.