Courtney Funchess
My name is Courtney Funchess and I am originally from Farmington Hills, Michigan. I am an alumna of the University of Michigan where I received a dual bachelor's in Sport Management and Sociology. I am a current MBA candidate at Tiffin University with a concentration in Sports Management. I come from a small family and I have one brother, Devin, who is a second-year wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers.
I’ve loved sports since I was a kid. Being actively involved in track, cheer, dance, and basketball, I learned how to be a team player. Though I would have liked to continue my track career while at the University of Michigan, my rigorous course load and involvement on campus monopolized my time. The University of Michigan not only provided an immaculate education but also an opportunity to work within the football department as a recruiting intern. Under the Hoke Administration, I worked closely with the Director of Player Personnel to plan recruiting visits and develop scouting reports as well as assisting wherever necessary. We successfully recruited notable players, such as Heisman-nominee Jabrill Peppers, during my tenure.
I recently relocated to New Orleans, Louisiana to work for the Allstate Sugar Bowl in event planning. Working for the Allstate Sugar Bowl under the supervision of Kate Samy, the Events Coordinator, has been an amazing growing experience. While being enrolled as an MBA candidate, I have seen my potential in the sport industry grow immensely. Most people are unaware that the Sugar Bowl is a year-round operating organization with only eleven full-time staff. The organization is responsible for sponsoring local and state amateur athletics in addition to planning the annual bowl game. I have had the pleasure of handling marketing materials and corresponding with vendors from the New Orleans area. In this short time, I have learned just how far I can, and will, go to get the job done while also furthering my education. My experiences have motivated me to accept and endure every challenge that I face as I continue to pursue a career in sports, especially as a woman.
I love the culture in New Orleans and I am enjoying learning new skills on the job. My experience planning for the Sugar Bowl so far, has been nothing short of amazing. I know this will be an unforgettable experience. I am not completely certain of my plans after my time with the Sugar Bowl. The program with the Sugar Bowl will end in May 2017 so I will still have one more semester left at Tiffin. I hope to discover a position working with Team Operations, Player Development or Event Planning, but we shall see what the future holds.
