Choosing Healthier Options Is Chasing Excellence
INTRODUCTION
My e-portfolio begins with the home page, which exhibits an interview conducted in 2019 about CHOICE Foundation and my service in the community. The introduction ensues. Following the introduction, a photo of myself along with a short bio is displayed. The purpose of this e-portfolio is to highlight my service over the years, with a focus on my graduate studies in the past two years.
After completing an undergraduate degree at TAMU- Commerce in 2009, I’ve been fortunate to play professional basketball for 3 years, teach in Dallas ISD, coach at my alma mater (Carter High), start a nonprofit (CHOICE Foundation), and now I’m completing a lifelong goal of earning a master’s degree. After the bio, my studies are displayed.
My mission is to inspire student-athletes in the community to make healthier choices in nutrition, exercise, and day to day decision making. The artifacts I chose to present are showcased in the links. These articles represent the studies that were selected out of a pool of assignments that demonstrate my mastery of the proficiencies and competencies in the Health, Kinesiology, and Sport Studies- Athletic Administration program at Texas A&M University- Commerce.
Transitioning from the studies, the website flows into my professional philosophy. This page is filled with my thoughts, beliefs, experiences, and wisdom I wish to share with you. Selflessness is a trait I promote and exude on a daily basis, your welcome. Finally, my final reflection. This two-page wrap-up of my experience is sure to inspire you to follow my journey, reach out, build a relationship, support or just bring awareness to the work I will continue to do with CHOICE Foundation in the future. Continue to scroll and learn about me, my life, and my passion.
For the following standards, I have selected at least two artifacts that meet the requirements of each. These outcomes will display work I have completed in each competency and how I have developed professionally by the completion of the standard.
Outcome 1: To plan, implement, and evaluate a program to address issues of health, athletics, or recreation.
The first artifact I will attach, aligned to outcome 1, is a personal philosophy assignment. This assignment contributed to my graduation Fall 2019 in HHPS 584- Administration in Sport and Recreation Programs. The philosophy highlights the program I piloted at Carter High, resulting in a state championship appearance. This is applicable to my field, because as a high school coach I have discovered the training and nutrition necessary to make it to a state championship.
The second artifact I will attach that contributed to my graduation was completed in HHPS 525- Marketing and Public Relations in Sport, Spring of 2019. The article is a marketing program case study that addresses the challenges of marketing in high school athletics. This is an important research analysis that will aid in promoting the success of a high school athletic program, aligning this assignment to outcome 1. As a future head coach, this assignment made me aware of the changes necessary in order to fill seats at future competitions.
Outcome 2: To critically analyze research related to health and human performance.
The third artifact is an annotated bibliography written in HHPK 595- Critiquing & Conducting Research, Fall of 2019. Each bibliography summarizes a source, provides a review, and concludes a practical application for the research. The annotated bibliography is an important component of the research process aligning this assignment to outcome 2. From this assignment I learned the benefits of routines and consistency in performance.
The fourth artifact included is a fundraising case study analysis completed in Summer I of 2019, in HHPS 521- Finance & Economics in Sport. This research is aligned with outcome 2 because as winning and performance increase, ticket sales ensue. This article researched the funding of stadiums at the pro levels across multiple sports. Being the recipient of a new stadium at Carter High, this research allowed me to interpret the process it took for the new stadium to be built.
Outcome 3: To identify a question, investigate the problem, and draw relevant conclusions about a current issue within their concentration.
The fifth artifact I chose investigates a current issue within recruiting in college basketball. This paper contributed to my graduation in Summer II of 2019, HHPS 539- Sport Law. I chose this as documentation because I plan on being a college coach in the future, therefore, I must be aware of the rules, regulations, and processes in college recruiting. Being knowledgeable of the rules within college recruiting will allow me to avoid any violations by the NCAA, a problem in the NCAA aligning this assignment to outcome 3.
The sixth artifact was written Summer II of 2019 in HHPS 539- Sport Law. This artifact explores some challenges in sports through the lens of a coach. This article analyzes legal cases and synthesizes the information to help with the decision making of future coaches. This is aligned to outcome 3 through investigation of a problem- legal issues in coaching. This is relevant to me because in order to have a long and successful career, I have to stay out of the courtroom.
Outcome 4: To understand motivational theories that impact health and human performance
I completed the first PRESENTATION as one of my first assignments in HHPS 584- Administration in Sport and Recreation Programs, Fall of 2019. The first and second PRESENTATION both were completed in the same course and they both analyze leadership styles in sport and motivational theories in sport- aligning them both to outcome 4: understanding motivational theories that impact health and human performance. These assignments have already assisted me with motivation techniques to implement in coaching and motivating my team to victories.They count as the seventh and eighth artifacts.
Outcome 5: To identify and exhibit the management and administrative skills necessary for athletic programs
The ninth artifact includes a strength and weakness analysis of myself. This paper was composed in HHPK 584- Administration in Sport and Recreation Programs, Fall of 2019. I believe I have the experience and administrative skills necessary to run an athletic program and this article exhibits my proof, aligning it to outcome 5. From this assignment I was able to analyze my weaknesses which I am currently focusing on turning into strengths in administration and coaching.
The tenth and final artifact is an Article Critique completed in HHPK 595- Critiquing & Conducting Research, Fall of 2019. This article investigates the problems, methodologies, data analysis, and results of different styles of management. This Workforce Engagement article critique is aligned with outcome 5- management and administrative skills necessary for athletic programs. From this article I was able to analyze and exhibit successful management and administration skills necessary for an athletic program.
MY PHILOSOPHY
Your mind and your time are two terrible things to waste, get your education. In life, there will be obstacles, get through them. Some days will be rainy, remember, a rainbow is coming. Some nights will be lonely, don’t forget, joy will arrive in the morning. Be thankful for your talents, because everyone isn’t created equal. The hardest worker will get tired last and a team is only as good as its weakest link. A healthy diet is the key to success, and every 24 hours granted is another day to impact the world. When preparation meets opportunity, there is success. Championships are won before the game starts, and positivity, passion, and persistence, produces productive people. Choosing healthier options is chasing excellence.
FINAL REFLECTION
I want to start my reflection by saying thank you. First, to Texas A&M University- Commerce. Thank you for admitting me into the Health, Kinesiology, and Sport Studies- concentration in Athletic Administration program. To Sam Walker and his coaching staff for believing in me and recruiting me in 2008 to come play basketball for such a prestigious university, rich in tradition and culture. Thank you to my current administrators and mentors for the recommendation letters, in order to be accepted into the program. Thank you to my family and friends for your help with motivation, parenting, practices, homework, community service, and support, your loyalty doesn’t go unnoticed. Thanks Carter High! To our fans, booster club, coaches, and alumnus for the opportunity to continue to assist with building a history making program.
Reflection. Defined as a serious thought or consideration. As a graduate student at Texas A&M-Commerce, I found myself reflecting often. Most of my days consist of 8 hours of teaching, then going to coach high school practice for 3 hours afterschool, followed by a 1-2 hour AAU practice, 1-2 hours of grad school homework, 1-2 hour of exercise, 1-2 hours of a combination of eating and driving around place to place and 3-5 hours of sleep. I debated quitting on numerous occasions, nevertheless, I stuck it out. This portfolio serves as my final requirement to become eligible for graduation. In summation, I will reflect how I will utilize the experiences I have gained and how they will impact my professional future.
Eligibility. A student athlete cannot receive a collegiate scholarship without graduating high school. The same rule goes for college coaches. On hiring websites for most colleges and universities there is a “masters preferred” requirement for candidates. Obtaining my master’s degree breaks down this barrier making me eligible for a collegiate coaching position. Coaching college has always been on my bucket list because I enjoy basketball so much, but my goal is to win a state championship first. I have many avenues I wish to pursue with this degree and completing the program along with a history of Division I, II, and professional experience makes me a highly qualified candidate.
Knowledge. One of my final courses in the program, Critiquing & Research, has inspired me to acknowledge another interest of mine, food. While completing this final course as a research project, I am in the process of testing the effect of different pregame meals on student-athletes. Once I generate a generic diet for high school athletes, the goal is to partner with the district in order to make it mandatory for all schools to receive my services.
Credibility. As an activist and health advocate in the community, I have hosted free camps, provided free meals, and mentored many underprivileged youths. My goal is to continue to build my nonprofit, CHOICE Foundation, and foster positive relationships with administration, staff, students, and the community, in route to becoming a statewide program. Even as an ex-pro with only a BS in Sociology, some question my credibility on health promotion, this eliminates any questionability. Once again thank you for taking the time out to learn about my story.