Sirens Volunteer Experience Pays Off by Pamm Hubbard-Brown July 17, 2003 For years I wanted to work in the sports industry but never knew in what capacity. Since I was seven, I’ve been a huge football fan and as the years have gone by, I’ve fallen in love with almost every other sport out there: baseball, basketball, softball and yes, even lacrosse. Within the last couple of years, I’ve been applying for jobs with every sports organization out there only to be told “You have no experience!” Then two seasons ago I came across the Sirens and everything came together. I started with the Sirens as their PR and Media Relations Manager with no experience but a friend in the business who provided advice and my own common sense. Within that first season, I had made contact with every television and radio personality in town and was well on my way to being where I wanted to be. Most people don’t realize how small the sports industry can be and in Sacramento, that circle is even smaller. It is very much WHO you know in this industry and the Sirens were my avenue for success. My first season with the Sirens had a tremendous learning curve for me. I had no idea how to write press releases, media advisories, or story pitches. I had no ideas on how to raise team awareness or increase attendance. But I had the drive to learn and work hard doing it. And the Sirens team made my job extremely easy. It’s easy to sell a team that continues to win. The hardest sell became when the Sirens became so good that they were beating their opponents by 40+ points and the television sports producers would say is “When are the Sirens going to get some competition?” Quite honestly, that was the best problem to have. By my second season, the Sirens name was becoming pretty well known. The radio stations continued to want the players down at the station for interviews. Television coverage was becoming more prevalent. Sirens fans were demanding more information about the favorite team. And my daytime job began to change responsibilities. This is one of the biggest pitfalls with volunteering – time management. You can be constantly caught because your regular job (you know the one – the one that pays your bills!) is demanding more out of you but your volunteer position (the one you LOVE!) is as well. Something has to give. And that’s why this became my last season with the Sirens. I just didn’t have the free time anymore. My work with the Sirens has taken me places I never believed I would be able to go. I’ve met radio and television personalities who actually know my name when they see me in public. I joined the board of the Sacramento Sports Foundation who is working to help non-profit agencies in the area with grants and fundraising. I have a new job with the Sacramento Sports Commission as the Director of Volunteers. The Sacramento Sports Commission is responsible for bringing major sporting events to Sacramento including the NCAA Division 1 Track & Field Championships and the Olympic Trials. I now get invitations to receptions, dinners and events that previously I only dreamed of going to. And I have the Sirens to thank for it. Without the dedication and drive of both the staff and the players, I would never be where I am today. So you say you want to work in sports? I say VOLUNTEER! It’s the fastest way to get the experience you need while making contacts and most of all, having fun! You never know who you’ll meet or where that experience will take you! Back