Page 3 - The Illinois Sig - Summer 2014

Chapter Spotlight: Austin Hunt ’15 Editor’s Note: Representing our chapter as Spotlight is current junior Austin Hunt. From the hometown of Champaign, IL, Austin has excelled in the unorthodox feld of sports management and constantly shows initiative in his endeavors. Working for the University of Illinois Athletic Offce in marketing and events, Austin intends to pursue his Master’s degree in Sports Management. His goal is to be a sports agent and, with an internship with the Jacksonville Jaguars this past summer, he is well on his way. Austin founded the U of I Sports Business Association – the frst RSO of its kind at Illinois – and is the active president. After starting up last spring, SBA has become increasingly popular and now has 88 active members. Read on to fnd out more! Why did you choose What encouraged you Kappa Kappa? to establish the Sports During rush my freshman Business Association on Austin with NFL QB Micheal Vick in Florida while completing his internship with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the summer year, I identifed myself campus? of 2013. with the brothers of the After a year on campus, I Jacksonville Jaguars and this summer I am Kappa Kappa chapter of realized the reputation for working for the Chicago Bears as an events Sigma Chi more than any the sports management and entertainment intern. Even over this other fraternity on campus program at the University school year I worked for the Illinois Athletic at Illinois. From day one, I of Illinois was not as Department as an unpaid intern. The exposure knew there was something well-respected as other I have gotten through these experiences has special about the chapter departments on campus. really accelerated my career and has helped me and I knew from the very I wanted to create this form relationships with many professionals in beginning I wanted to be a Austin and NFL Insider Adam Schefter at organization to help raise the industry already as a junior. part of their brotherhood. the 2014 Sports Management Worldwide the awareness for students Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. such as myself who want How did you secure an internship with As this year’s Philanthropy Chair, what to go into a career working on the business the tennis team and what do you do? event has been the most productive? side of sports. I also started this organization After my frst semester working for the Derby Days is annually the most productive to create networking opportunities for us athletic department an opportunity came students to prepare us for a career in this event of the entire year. This fall, the entire feld to attend off-campus conferences as up to take on a new leadership role within house came together and rallied around well as hosting special events on campus. the organization. I applied over winter one brother and raised money to support break and got assigned to be the primary his battle with cancer. The entire Greek marketing contact for the Illinois Men’s community got behind the movement and What steps are you taking to build your Tennis Team. In this role, I assisted in the weeklong philanthropy event served relationship with the sports industry? creating the marketing plan for the 2014 as a testament to how loyal and caring the Getting all the experience I can. Last summer season and executed the promotions at each Greeks on this campus can be. I worked in football operations for the tennis match. The Men of Kappa Kappa Spring 2014 3