Name: Austin O’Regan
Graduation Year: 2014
Major: Sports Administration and Recreation
Current Position: Manager of Inside Sales
City and State: Chicago, IL
Tell us about your career and what you do now.
After graduating from Evangel, I immediately went to pursue my Master’s degree at Seattle University, which is in the top 10 Sports Administration program in the world. While pursuing my Masters, I was able to work for and with some amazing sport organizations, including the Seattle Seahawks, the Seattle Reign, the Seattle Storm, the Pac 12, the WAC, and many more. After graduation, I was able to leverage the relationships I created to land an account executive job with the Chicago Sky. At the end of my first season, I was number one in new group sales revenue and number three overall in total new revenue in the entire WNBA.
This led to my promotion and current position as Manager of Inside Sales. My job is to create, train, and lead the inside sales program with the Sky. Not only do I sell and service my own accounts, but I also manage my account executive team and the Inside Sales team.
What is your favorite memory from Evangel?
I don’t have just one favorite memory from Evangel. I have so many cool ones, from late night Taco Bell runs (and the guys from Scott taking the Taco Bell sign), piercing the Food Service Director’s ear because my Seahawks beat his Broncos in the Super Bowl, intramural All-Americans, to meeting my wife and heart to heart conversations with friends.
How did Evangel help you identify/develop your calling?
With amazing professors. Dr. Badger, from the science department, is one of the biggest reasons I came to Evangel. Donovan Nelson is the reason I stayed (he needs a raise by the way). These men breathed life into me and helped me realize my dream. They spoke truths over me and my life that I didn’t even realize at the time. They recognized my potential and my influence on people. They continuously pushed me to be a better student and to be actively involved in my education.
How did your experience at Evangel prepare you for life after graduation?
Through making opportunities available for me to have a hands-on approach to my education. In the sports administration program, you actually run events like the state softball tournament and help with Evangel’s own sports events.
What advice would you give a current student preparing for the workforce?
Have as many real-life experiences as possible, whether internships, work-study positions, volunteering, or part-time jobs, get out there and do what you’re studying.
What would you look for if you were in a position to hire new graduates from Evangel?
I look for passion with what you want to do. Meaning, when I interview you, I should feel the energy emanating from you. I can teach you anything to make you successful, but I can’t teach passion. I also look for experience. If you are looking to get into sports, but don’t have any sort of experience other than schooling, I’m not going to take you seriously.