Spotlights
10 Questions with Alumni Eddie Alexander
Eddie Alexander, 2018, Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships at NASCAR.
Where was your favorite place to eat on campus?
My favorite place to eat at GVSU was Kirkhoff and Qdoba
Where was your favorite place to eat off campus?
Loved going to Mully's... which I think is no longer open!
Favorite place at GVSU to hang out with friends?
Rec Center and the Kelly Family Sports Center. Also, Main Street Pub on Karaoke nights!
Favorite class?
Dr. Albrecht's class "Psychosocial Aspects of Sport"(Sport Psychology)
Favorite internship?
With Grand Haven High School Athletic Department during the track season. I had the opportunity to help coach the track team!
Favorite Sport Team?
In general would be The Detroit Lions. At Grand Valley it was the Rugby Team!
What is your current day to day work like?
My current day depends on the time of year so right now, we are preparing for our race here at MIS and our race in New York so a lot of operational planning, getting signage up, and event operations. during the year. In the winter and off season I spend my day reaching out to different brands and companies to help them leverage our products to drive in revenue for their companies so a lot outbound emails, meetings, and negotiation of deals/sponsorship packages.
Favorite part of the job?
Traveling to different tracks and races throughout the country and experiencing a race day! Race weekends are a 3 day festival, as an employee I get to soak it all in while traveling for the company!
How did you land your first job?
My first job in sport I found by going to the pistons networking event they host twice a year when I was a senior. I spent all $90 I had at the time to go there to meet and network with the different executives in sports in the Detroit area. One of them saw something in me and he was with the PGA Tour. He didn't have a position for me available at the time but he liked me enough that he reached out to his friend at the Detroit Lions and luckily they had an opening in the ticket sales department. He called me for an interview and the rest is history!
Favorite thing you have done in your current role?
My Favorite thing that I have done was drive an actual NASCAR Stock Car which was a goal of mine for a long time. I topped it off at 140 MPH (shout out Jordan Addison). Also, I love race weekends!! I've gotten to meet my favorite driver of all time Jeff Gordon!
Any advice or inspiration for current Sport Management students?
Start doing things that are uncomfortable now. The worst thing you can do is being content. If talking to strangers and going to new places/events make you uncomfortable, then do it! Be different! If you want to stand out, you can't do what everyone else is doing. Join other clubs and activities that have nothing to do with sports too. Diversify your portfolio right now while you're in college and keep an open mind and of course, NETWORK :)
Share this spotlight
Return to the listing of spotlights.