About Keiana Mitchell

Someone once said that sport serves society by providing vivid examples of excellence. Sports have taught me not only to achieve excellence but also to encompass the passion, creativity and discipline needed to positively affect the growing sports industry. Sports have always been an important part of my life. Playing sports has allowed me to do and dream things I never thought possible. I never could have imagined the impact that it would have on not only my life but also my future career goals. It provided me with the opportunity to receive a great education and the opportunity to attend The Ohio State University as a first generation college student. As a student-athlete I learned first hand the importance of having an institution built upon the tradition and excellence of a successful athletic program. My participation in varsity athletics allowed me to understand and appreciate, the value of an effectively marketed and organized athletic department, the balance that is needed to be a high performing student and athlete, and the value in ensuring that administrative systems and processes are effectively integrated. It also has taught me the value of teamwork, time management, and dedication, which I believe are crucial to a successful career in sports management. I also sought to further develop in my career path by volunteering and contributing to the growth of sports through organizations like the Big Brother/Big Sister program, Girl Scouts of America’s Clinics, The Ohio State University’s Sports Camps and obtaining internships with the Women’s Sports Foundation and the University of Minnesota’s Athletic Department. All of these experiences I believe will allow me to further my practical experience in both administration and management. These experiences placed me at a crossroads in my career path as I decided whether to attend law school or receive my masters in sports management. After some time and consideration and meeting with administrators, I appreciated the passion that they had for their job. I then realized that I wanted to continue their work and ensure that other student-athletes would have the same opportunities that I had. It is for these reasons that I decided to continue my studies in sports management and to give back and contribute to the growth of college athletics. It is for these reasons that I continue to seek a career as an athletic director.