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Countdown to the World Cup
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Two days until the world of soccer converges on South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This is the first time in history that the World Cup will be hosted by an African nation.
We spoke to the SMWW Soccer instructors about their thoughts on the excitement, controversies, and possible outcomes of the World Cup.
Tim Regan- SMWW Soccer Ops & Scouting instructor, Head of Scouting with MLS Club Side Toronto FC and US U-18 Men's National Team Assistant Coach
Matt Martin- SMWW Soccer Ops and Scouting instructor and Regional Scout with New York RedBulls of Major League Soccer
John Print- SMWW Soccer Athlete Management instructor and a certified FIFA certified agent representing Sports International Management, a sports agency based in London
Q. What Match are you most looking forward to?
T.R. Clearly the US vs. England is a must see, but I'm going to say the match I look forward to most is the opener between South Africa and Mexico. It is a monumental event for the people of South Africa who have endured much heartache as a nation.
M.M. All American footie fans will of course be wired to watch USA v England, but this US team has the ability to lose that match and still progress. Let's step away from the Anglo-Saxon perspective for a moment and picture the titanic match between Portugal and Brazil on June 25th - Is there a bigger match in the first round outside of any match where an African nation could get beyond the group stages?
J.P.Not sure if I am looking forward to it but USA v England is a very big game. I predict a draw with both teams qualifying to the knock out stages.
Q. What is your opinion on the new Adidas ball controversy?
T.R. The balls have changed greatly over the last twelve years and each new ball seems to be more controversial than the previous one. Playing at altitude is a major reason the new Adidas ball is creating so much anger amongst goalkeepers. If a goalkeeper has never played at altitude, he's not used to see the ball move at a faster pace than at sea level. Combine this with the tendency for the newer balls to move drastically in flight, I can sympathize with the goalkeeper's fear of conceding more goals than normal.
M.M. Much ado about nothing....Seriously, I am not sure how it can be THAT much different...but we'll see - I thought the dimples on the Puma ball a few years back were novel...
J.P. Every World Cup there is a new ball and there are always complaints from the keepers. Let's hope we see some spectacular goals and very few scoreless draws. Interestingly the ball was designed at Loughborough University, England, so there could be a lucky omen somewhere there.
Q: What match is underrated in terms of excitement and press coverage that you think fans should still pay attention to?
T.R. Argentina vs. South Korea - the Koreans are disciplined, fit, and always difficult to beat. The Argentines will have to be at their best to beat South Korea, and I'm hoping for an attack-minded approach from both teams.
M.M. Mexico v South Africa match will be VERY EMOTIONAL...even if Mexico wins, there will be a "let down" for whoever wins that huge first match.
J.P. France v Mexico could be a fantastic game. Great technical ability from both sides and I fancy Mexico getting a shock win and qualifying alongside host South Africa into the last 16.
Q: What team do you predict will win the World Cup?
T.R. Brazil. In World Cups where the host nation is not among the top eight teams in the world, Brazil has historically done well. Dunga has the team disciplined defensively but there is no way to hide the flare and talent of the Brazilian squad.
M.M. Spain because the convincing Euros AND they are in form.
J.P. Spain are deservedly favourites. They have a number of World Class players and some of the football they play is breathtaking and unplayable.
If you are interested in working in soccer SMWW offers a Soccer Operations and Scouting Course taught by three instructors with international experience. For more information and to register, visit the Soccer Operations and Scouting Course Page. |
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SMWW Graduate Working His Way to the Top
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Since graduating from multiple SMWW Courses, Ryan Latham has worked for the Boston Red Sox, started a non-profit that teaches inner city kids business through baseball, and currently is the Group Event Coordinator for the Tacoma Rainers.
Latham is responsible for developing relationships with the community including the military community. Recently the Rainers hosted a Salute to Armed Forces day. There Latham was able to present a Pearl Harbor survivor and veteran with a Rainers Jersey.
Latham took the Sports Business Management, Sports PR & Journalism, Game Operations, and Baseball GM & Scouting Course. By taking multiple courses, he was able to round out his resume and land great jobs in baseball!
If you are interested in working in sports, sign up for a course today!
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| Hockey Graduate Improves His Resume |
Jason Hawkins and Team
"For anyone who wants to be successful in the hockey industry, the Hockey General Manager and Scouting course offers you the foundation for a great start as well as a new refreshing ideas for the already experienced. I have been involved as a scout, coach and GM in junior hockey for 14 years. I graduated from the course in July, I was then promoted from Assistant Coach to Assistant Coach/Assistant GM of the Brockville Braves, we just completed our historical record breaking season finishing 3rd in Canada at the RBC Cup in Dauphin Manitoba and was just promoted to General Manager of the Team. Thanks SMWW, Hockey GM and Scouting certainly honed my skills as I move that much closer to a professional career in hockey."
Jason Hawkins
Asst Coach/Asst GM
Brockville Braves
Junior A Hockey Club
The next Hockey GM and Scouting Course starts the week of June 14, 2010. Register here!
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SMWW Football Agency Update
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Organized Team Activities (OTAs): A time where jobs are won and lost
For some veterans in the National Football League, OTAs signify a time to reacquaint oneself with the rigors of professional football after months of rest and relaxation. For others OTAs provide a stage where veteran players can familiarize themselves in a new system with increased roles and increased pressure to perform. For most rookie players in the NFL, OTAs are about learning how to prepare, train and perform at a level that impresses the coaches as they evaluate every move, positive or negative, every rep that players take. For veterans and rookies alike, organized team activities--as mundane as they may be--set the stage for position battles to get settled in the coming months as training camp approaches.
 SMWW Agent Advisors represent players in the NFL in a multitude of roles during OTAs in 2010. For players like 2010 undrafted cornerback Ross Weaver now with the Miami Dolphins, the number of players at his position can limit the amount of reps available for him during OTAs. It is tough to distinguish yourself as the player most deserving of the job as the nickel corner on the Dolphins defense when there are seven players fiercely competing for the job. Conversely, Matt Moore, quarterback for the Carolina Panthers who is in his first year as the starter in his offense and secure in his role will also be using OTAs to distance himself from Rookie draft picks at his position Jimmy Clasuen (Notre Dame) and Tony Pike (Cincinnati). Although Moore is the leader of team and the job is his to lose the pressure to perform is ever present.
Akeem Jordan is another SMWW client; represented by Agent Advisor Albert Thomas who finds himself in an intense position battle and will be using every snap during OTAs to show the Eagles he can be a starter in 2010. Read more on why Akeem "says he wants to show the Birds' coaching staff that he should continue to be the starter at that spot": http://www.gcobb.com/2010/06/07/akeemjordan-wants-to-compete-with-sims-f...
When Agent Advisors complete the Athlete Management Course with SMWW they are prepared to mentor their clients and assist them in maintaining a certain level of focus so that that they do not worry about anything other than learning the lessons taught during organized team activities. Here is a list of all SMWW Agent Advisors with NFL clients and the upcoming OTA schedules for their teams:
Agent Advisor: Albert Thomas / John Oluyole
Athlete: Ross Weaver
School: Michigan State
NFL Team: Miami (rookie contract)
Pos: CB
OTA Dates: June 9-10, June 14, June 16
Agent Advisor: Albert Thomas / John Oluyole
Athlete: Angelo Williams
School: Ferris State
NFL Team: Minnesota (rookie contract)
Pos: CB
OTA Dates: June 7-8
Agent Advisor: Billy Crawford
Athlete: Aaron Rhea
School: Stephen F. Austin
NFL Team: Minnesota (rookie contract)
Pos: WR
OTA Dates: June 7-8
Agent Advisor: Derek Banks
Athlete: Cort Johnson
School: West TX A&M
NFL Team: San Diego (rookie contract)
Pos: P
OTA Dates: June 8-11, June 14-17
Agent Advisor: TK
Athlete: Jordyn Jackson
School: Eastern Oregon
NFL Team: San Diego (rookie contract)
Pos: WR
OTA Dates: June 8-11, June 14-17
Agent Advisor: Joe Aloisi
Athlete: Matt Moore
School: Oregon State
NFL Team: Carolina (veteran)
Pos: QB
OTA Dates: June 7-10, June 14-16
Agent Advisor: Alber Thomas
Athlete: Akeem Jordan
School: James Madison
NFL Team: Philadelphia (veteran)
Pos: OLB
OTA Dates: June 7-10
Agent Advisor: Reggie Jackson
Athlete: Dion Gales
School: Troy
NFL Team: Kansas City (veteran)
Pos: DT
OTA Dates: June 7-9, June 14-15
Do you need an agent? Fill out this form.
Do you want to be an agent? Fill out this form |
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SMWW Sports Career Conference at the NHL Draft -Space still available!
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2010 Agenda now posted
When:
June 24-26, 2010
What:
NHL Draft Sports Career Conference at the 2010
NHL Draft
Includes:
NHL Draft tickets both days in the lower bowl
Who:
This workshop provides a fantastic opportunity to learn about gaining entry into work within hockey while attending the NHL Draft in at the Staple Center in Los Angeles, CA. This 2-3 day event will offer panel discussions with Q and A sessions
designed to solidify the knowledge of every participant. The conference will be split up into diverse speaker panels; including sports business, athlete representation, scouting, hockey-specific, and sports career strategies. Additionally, the NHL Draft is expected to attract over 3,000 visitors and more than 500 print, television, and radio media members to the Los Angeles. Come see the next wave of NHL talent first hand in this exciting and informative environment
Brian Burke, Patrick Burke, and Harry Sinden at the 2009 Conference
This event sold out last year and will again this year. We have only 200 Draft tickets. Spaces are filling quickly
For more details and registration information, visit our Career Conference Page
Group, TEAM and Agent discounts available.
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SMWW at the NBA Summer League
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When:
July 16th-17th, 2010
What:
SMWW Sports Career Conference at the NBA Summer League
Who:
Anyone 18 years or older. This conference is ideal to anyone interested in working or currently working in professional sports, but particularly the NBA and professional basketball
Gain valuable insight into a variety of careers from those working at the highest level in basketball! This day long career conference offers unique panel discussions and question-answer periods designed to start or advance your career on the business of basketball. The day will be split up into diverse speaker panels; including sports business, athlete representation, scouting, digital video editing, and sports career strategies.
For more details and registration information visit our Career Conference Page.
Group, TEAM and Agent Discounts available. |
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SMWW Alumni
June Discount: |
Dear SMWW Alumni-
As you advance in your career, we find that many of you continue to take more courses. In addition we have added graduate credits for those of you working towards your graduate degrees!
Register in June & Save!
For the entire month of June, you may register for a course and we will discount the fee $300. For example, if the course is normally $1450, it will now only be $1150. If the course is $995, it will only be $695. We will also allow you to break this up over 3 monthly installments.
So if you have been thinking about taking another course, now is the time to register. If you know that you will be taking another course before the end of the year, feel free to set up some monthly payment plans now at the discounted rate, and you can enroll as late as December 31, 2010.
*Sorry, this offer is not valid on courses you have already registered for nor can it be used with any other discount.
*Didn't finish the first course? Remember you can re-enroll in your existing course for $100.
To qualify as alumni you must have taken at least one eight week training course at SMWW .)
Feel free to call or contact your career advisor, or fill out this form for more information.
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Follow SMWW on Twitter and Facbook
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SMWW Hockey Graduate Lands Job
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 Congratulations to SMWW Graduate, Marcus Hirsch, who just landed a job as the Video Coach for the Palm Beach Hawks. You can read more about Marcus and the Hawks in the press release.
If you are interested in working in Hockey, sign up for the Hockey GM & Scouting Course Today!
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| Ask Dr. Lashbrook |
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Dr. Lashbrook
Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, SMWW President, has a vast knowledge of sports management careers and opportunities. He is happy to answer your questions and assist you with your career strategies. In addition, Dr. Lashbrook has been a certified sports agent with the NFL for over 15 years has represented over 40 NFL players.
Fill out this quick form and he will contact you!
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Sports Management Degrees
Sports Management Masters & Doctorate Degrees:
Have you always dreamed about getting your Masters or Doctoral Degree from an institution with a solid reputation, but do not have the time to attend classes or residencies? SMWW has the solution!
SMWW has partnered with Concordia University Chicago (CUC) to offer you a regionally accredited, online and affordable opportunity to earn your MASL, Ed.D, or Ph.D in Education/Sports Management & Leadership.
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SMWW Baseball Agency Update
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MLB DRAFT 2010 IS HERE!!!
SMWW would like be the first to congratulate our Agent Advisors and their clients on all the hard work in preparing for this year's Major League Baseball Draft. SMWW Agent Advisors proved once again that the dream of player representation is possible through the Athlete Management course! For the latest information on the 2010 MLB draft go to: Baseball America
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EARN UNDERGRADUATE & GRADUATE CREDIT
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Are you a current college student? Do you want a job in sports upon graduation? Do you want to qualify for an internship with a professional team or well-know sports agency?
Western Oregon University (WOU), a member of the Oregon University System, has put its stamp of approval on Sports Management Worldwide's courses and offers a separate Credit Overlay Program. Students from all over the United States and Canada take SMWW courses, get college credit transferred to their university!
Earn college credit...
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Economic Discount
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In light of economic conditions, SMWW courses will be discounted for residents of certain countries.
Visit the SMWW Economic Discount Page to find out if you qualify.
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| Dr. Lashbrook's SMWW Blog |
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Follow Dr. Lashbrook on his blog. Each week he will share his thoughts on current events and issues in the world of sports.
Read his opinion and then give him your own! Comments and discussions are encouraged.
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