I always knew working in sports would be fun, but some of the stuff we get to do here at TSSS is beyond amazing.  

One of the perks of working for TSSS are the season tickets for the Rainier AAA Baseball team.  As a TSSS employee we are welcome to select as many tickets (game dates) as we want, as long as no one else has already reserved them.  Oh and I should mention, the seats are fourth row from the dug-out and we get access to the VIP lounge where they serve complementary beer and wine along with all the ball park peanuts you can eat =).  

Another awesome perk of the job are the free events I get to attend. So far I have been to the Disc Golf Championship, Lacrosse Jamboree and the Highland games.  But hands down nothing has compared to watching the US Olympic Diving Trials this past Thursday.  Let me just say, it was incredible.  I was in the presence of the best diving athletes in the nation and got to see in person who will be representing the US in the Olympics this summer.  Also, we had access yet again to the VIP lounge where free food, beer and wine was served.

Tough you have to work long week days and weekends in the sports industry, it definitely balances itself out when getting to attend once in a life time events. 


 

 With long hours just sitting and staring at a computer monitor, TSSS CEO Tim likes to spice up the office from time to time to prevent employee burn out, or what I like to call bored-um.   

Fridays are usually casual meaning we can wear jeans, which is awesome, but this Friday it turned into a competition between co workers.  Early morning Tim walked in the office with a mini table tennis board and paddles shouting for everyone to "gather round, today is competition day."  Tim told us we had the entire day to play each member of the staff once and log our wins and losses on the white board.  The individual with the most wins at the end of the day would win a medal and bragging rights.  Though we still had to finish our work, it was nice to take a break every so often and see the true competitive nature of some of the employees come out.  Not to mention, it also helped to get us out of our desk and socialize with one another.  

Unfortunately on Fridays I have a half day so I was unable to play everyone in the office.  Though, I certainly mastered the art of mini table tennis and probably stood a good chance at placing in the top of the bracket if I had been able to play everyone.  Its days like these that make office life less draining.      

After a long work week, it continued into the weekend with an all day lacrosse jamboree. Saturday I spent all morning and afternoon direct marketing for the Rainier LAX Cup.  During the break sessions in between games, I went up to coaches and verbally marketed the RLC while handing them a informational flyer I designed earlier in the week.  If the coach seemed interested, I marked their names down on my contact sheet so I could call them later in the week.

Despite the mistake of talking to the same coach twice, I was fairly confident and successful in approaching complete strangers.  Most of the coaches were friendly and willing to listen to my shpeal.  I even  managed to gather a large number of contact information.  I think the only reason why some coaches seemed annoyed with me, was because they were in between games and probably trying to focus on coaching and thier team, not listen to a "salesman" try and pitch them a tournament opportunity.  

Even though I would have rather spent my Saturday doing other things, I learned that direct marketing is the most effective form of marketing when trying to promote a product/event.  I had already sent an email to these same coaches a week ago, and shockingly enough the vast majority of them had no idea what I was talking about.  By being able to verbally communicate an event to someone in person, it has more staying power and that individual is more likely to remember that particular event versus skimming an email.  

You know the phrase Monday blues?  I have had anything but the Monday blues.  In fact, Mondays may be my new favorite day of the week!  

Today has been chalked full of work upon work. While most may consider this draining, I find it to be exciting.  Not to mention, it made my day go by really fast which is an added bonus.  I spent the vast majority of my time making phone calls and emails trying to find vendors and sponsors for the Rainier LAX Cup.  It was a bit nerve wrecking talking on the phone, but I really got to hone my communication skills in a professional manner. I must not have sounded too nervous though; I managed to get a verbal agreement from Sea Town LAX, a local lacrosse retailer and Fine Designs, a custom t-shirt company.  I am waiting on a couple more retailers to call me back later this week, keeping my finger crossed!    

The second half of the day was way more stressful.  I had to hand deliver posters/flyers to local business all over the greater Tacoma area.  Now I know this doesn't seem like it would be stressful, but I am not a local of Tacoma WA, therefore I am not at all familiar with the area.  This assignment should have only taken me an hour, it ended up lasting two.  This just reassured me never to audition for the Amazing Race; I choke under pressure when it comes to driving, especially in unfamiliar territory.  Also, I strongly believe every hour is rush hour in the Sea/Tac region.  Bumper to bumper traffic, mixed with bad directions, exhaustion from an already long day, equals not a happy way to end my afternoon. But! Despite the awful driving aspect, I look forward to returning to my desk on Wednesday to what will hopefully be a grip of voice messages and emails.