A career in sports sounds glamorous—sideline passes, championship rings, access to the pros. But if you’ve been in the industry as long as I have, you know the truth: glamour doesn’t get you the job. Grit does.

Behind every big moment is a long stretch of hard work no one sees. Early mornings. Late nights. Running errands. Taping ankles. Packing gear. Writing reports. Getting coffee. Doing the little things well—over and over again.

And that’s what separates the dreamers from the doers.

The people who make it in this business aren’t always the most talented or the most connected. They’re the ones who show up, stay late, and say yes to the jobs no one else wants to do.

I remember a young man who volunteered to help at one of our career conferences. He wasn’t there to impress anyone—he just wanted to learn. He helped set up tables, greet attendees, and run the mic during Q&As. Today, he’s working full-time with a professional sports team. Why? Because someone noticed his work ethic.

Grit means you don’t quit when it gets hard. You ask questions. You fail forward. You figure it out and come back stronger. You stick with it—even when the role isn’t glamorous. Especially when it isn’t.

This industry will test you. But if you can do the hard, uncelebrated things with excellence, you’ll earn respect. And that respect turns into trust. And trust turns into opportunity.

So, if you're chasing the dream, don’t get distracted by the flashy stuff. Stay focused. Be gritty. And remember—every championship is built on the stuff no one applauds.

— Dr. Lynn Lashbrook President, Sports Management Worldwide