Ole Miss athletics marketing graduate assistants Mandy McCalla and Alex Cramer, recipients of the 2015 IMG Intercollegiate Athletics Forum Scholarship, will represent the university and department Dec. 9-10 at the IMG Intercollegiate Athletics Forum in New York City.
McCalla and Cramer are just two of 16 students nationwide to be awarded the scholarship by The Ticket Experience, and for their recognition will be guests at this year’s forum in Times Square. To be eligible for the award, both undergrad and graduate students across the nation were required to submit applications to the organization stating their passion for working in sports.
“We are thrilled to have two of our marketing graduate assistances attending this great event,” Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing & Fan Experience Jason List said. “Both Mandy and Alex are striving for careers in our industry and are well deserving. Their winning of this scholarship is not only a testament to them, but also a representation of the value we put into developing our students in the athletics marketing department.”
Cramer, a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is in his second year as a graduate assistant with the marketing department at Ole Miss. In addition to his commitments at Ole Miss, Cramer serves as a Platoon Leader in the U.S. Army Reserve where he manages a Human Resources Platoon of 38 personnel. Upon completing the Army ROTC program at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, he commissioned as a Human Resources Officer and has since achieved the rank of First Lieutenant.
“Working for Ole Miss Athletics continues to provide me with opportunities to grow as a young professional in college athletics and introducing me to the IMG Intercollegiate Athletics Forum is just another example of that,” Cramer said. “Everything I learn at the forum will only enhance what I can bring to the Ole Miss team. The Ticket Experience is doing a great service by providing scholarships for graduate students to attend the forum and I cannot thank them enough for this opportunity.”
McCalla, a former Rebel on the pitch for Ole Miss soccer from 2010-13, is also in her second year working in the marketing department. The Fayetteville, Georgia native was a three-time All-SEC award winner during her time as a student-athlete, and has exceled professionally as well, helping enhance the game day experience for Ole Miss soccer, basketball, softball, volleyball and football.
“Working with the marketing and fan experience department here at Ole Miss has been such an invaluable experience,” McCalla said. “I credit earning this awesome opportunity to the skills and knowledge passed to me from every department and every individual I have worked with and learned from. I’m excited to learn from some of the best in the business and represent Ole Miss athletics well.”
This year’s event will feature appearances and commentary from personalities such as NCAA President Mark Emmert, ESPN’s Jay Williams, SEC Commissioner Mike Slive, ESPN radio host Paul Finebaum and numerous other athletic directors, administrators, and corporate leaders across the country.
Courtesy of Ole Miss
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